#Sandy & Social: A Case Study

#Sandy & Social: A Case Study

As Sandy Became #Sandy, Emergency Services Got Social | Fast Company

As Sandy Became #Sandy, Emergency Services Got Social | Fast Company: As New Yorkers took to Twitter to voice concerns, request aid, and offer real-time help, organizations were--more than ever before--there and ready to respond on their native platforms. Here's how the Red Cross, the City of New York, and Occupy Wall Street ratcheted up their Hurricane Sandy relief via the social web.

Foundation agrees to audit of Murrah Disaster Relief Fund | Tulsa World

Foundation agrees to audit of Murrah Disaster Relief Fund | Tulsa World: OKLAHOMA CITY - The foundation administering a fund set up to aid those affected by the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building on Thursday agreed to an independent audit following criticism over its handling of the fund.


The Murrah Disaster Relief Fund was created in 1995 as a result of an outpouring of financial support from across the country.

UPDATE: Red Cross Relief Effort Ramps Back up in New York in Wake of Nor’easter � American Red Cross Disaster Newsroom

UPDATE: Red Cross Relief Effort Ramps Back up in New York in Wake of Nor’easter � American Red Cross Disaster Newsroom: Now that the nor’easter has passed, the American Red Cross is ramping back up and expanding its large relief operations to provide shelter, hot meals, relief supplies and comfort to people in New Jersey and New York.

Here is a snapshot of local relief efforts:

Beyond Competition, Running for a Cause - NYTimes.com

Beyond Competition, Running for a Cause - NYTimes.com: Last year, according to the New York Road Runners, organizers of the New York City Marathon, more than $34 million was raised for charity. Moreover, fund-raising experts expect that the vast majority of runners in this year’s race will still honor their commitments.

“I’m sure they’re disappointed, and there might be some who are annoyed,” said Michael Nilsen, spokesman for the Association of Fundraising Professionals in Arlington, Va. “But based on what we’ve seen in other situations where a charity event has been canceled because of weather or some other once-in-a-lifetime type circumstance, people generally don’t take it out on the charity.”

Mr. Nilsen said he would not be surprised to see “two-thirds, maybe more” of the charity marathoners meet their commitment to deliver the money they raised.

Recovers.org, a Marketplace for Disaster Relief - Businessweek

Recovers.org, a Marketplace for Disaster Relief - Businessweek: O’Neill’s startup, Recovers.org, has set up websites in four New York City boroughs to manage relief efforts and prevent the logistical chaos that often follows catastrophes when well-meaning volunteers overwhelm government officials and relief organizations. Before Sandy, the company, less than a year old, had tested the site in only a handful of communities, including Forney, Tex., and West Pasco County, Fla. Coordinating an operation in the aftermath of a major natural disaster is like “inventing the wheel as the vehicle is in motion,” says Rebecca Williams, who organized aid for tornado survivors in Joplin, Mo., in 2011.

NY1 For You: Not All Charities Are Created Equal - NY1.com

NY1 For You: Not All Charities Are Created Equal - NY1.com: New Yorkers have rushed to the answer the call to donate to charities aiming to help their neighbors recover from Hurricane Sandy, but some organizations can't help in the way they promise. NY1's Susan Jhun filed the following report.

Whether it's food, blankets or money, New Yorkers have been anxious to help their own recover from the effects of Hurricane Sandy. But watchdog groups say those looking to give, should do so carefully.

Volunteers heart of relief | The Asbury Park Press NJ | app.com

Volunteers heart of relief | The Asbury Park Press NJ | app.com: It’s the legions of committed, organized volunteers, with the ability to shift into crisis mode and run on adrenaline for weeks at a time, who are the underpinnings of disaster relief in any area, and the post-superstorm Jersey Shore is no different.

Update: Fundraising for Sandy Victims Totals More Than $116.2-Million - Recovering From Sandy - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas

Update: Fundraising for Sandy Victims Totals More Than $116.2-Million - Recovering From Sandy - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas: Update: Fundraising for Sandy Victims Totals More Than $116.2-Million

November 8, 2012, 9:15 am

By Anais Strickland

Here are the latest totals from charities that are raising money for Superstorm Sandy relief and recovery efforts. Combined with previously reported figures, more than $116.2-million has been raised.

Radio World: FCC Grants NCE Waivers for Sandy Relief Fundraisers

Radio World: FCC Grants NCE Waivers for Sandy Relief Fundraisers: The FCC is making it easier for noncommercial stations to host on-air fundraisers for Hurricane Sandy relief efforts.

The commission has received and granted two waiver requests related to Hurricane Sandy relief efforts. For television, the agency granted WNYE(TV) in New York City a waiver to simulcast NBCU’s telethon last Friday.

ABC raises $16.8 mln, MTV to hold fundraiser for NJ shore | Reuters

ABC raises $16.8 mln, MTV to hold fundraiser for NJ shore | Reuters: A "Day of Giving" across ABC television networks raised more than $16.8 million for victims of Hurricane Sandy, ABC said on Tuesday.

Will Sandy Destroy Fundraising? - Association Bisnow (DC)

Will Sandy Destroy Fundraising? - Association Bisnow (DC): Nonprofit Roundtable of Greater Washington president Chuck Bean says not to worry. He’s confident Americans will only dig deeper rather than divert their giving to hurricane relief. Non-hurricane-related non-profits, which start their big fundraising push during the three to four weeks after Thanksgiving, need to continue talking about their mission and what they do with donations to make sure people give the same amount or more. The end of the election today will also allow for more opportunities to capture the public’s attention.

Job Searching

Job Searching: Here's the latest information on Hurricane Sandy unemployment benefits and disaster assistance. There's also information on clean up jobs, including federally funded state jobs and jobs with private companies.

Fundraisers Respond Faster and Smarter With Each Relief Effort - News - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas

Fundraisers Respond Faster and Smarter With Each Relief Effort - News - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas: The more than $90-million charities have raised in the week since Superstorm Sandy hit landfall is in large part a sign that nonprofits are getting faster and savvier about how they tap the public’s impulse to give before it fades, say nonprofit experts.

NYC leverages social media to map evacuation info for Hurricane Sandy | SmartBlogs SmartBlogs

NYC leverages social media to map evacuation info for Hurricane Sandy | SmartBlogs SmartBlogs: The City of New York utilized its Open Data platform to help residents deal with the effects of Hurricane Sandy. The effort, which is part of the Digital Road Map the City launched last year, integrates geographic information systems (GIS), social media and other private and public assets to inform New Yorkers about the dangers posed by the storm. Highlights of the program include a Hurricane Evacuation Map and an accompanying Hurricane Evacuation Zone Finder residents can use to see if their location is at-risk of flooding and plan an evacuation.

e-News for Tax Professionals Issue 2012-44

e-News for Tax Professionals Issue 2012-44: IRS Provides Tax Relief to Victims of Hurricane Sandy; Return Filing and Tax Payment Deadline Extended to Feb. 1, 2013

One Week On, Sandy Still Disrupts, But Volunteers Innovate | Fast Company

One Week On, Sandy Still Disrupts, But Volunteers Innovate | Fast Company: The disaster has brought out a raft of tech-based aid. Two mapping-based sites sprang up yesterday: NeedMapper connects volunteers with people in need of help; while a co-working crowd map shows office space available for anyone whose work life has been disrupted. And Facebook group SandyBaggers yesterday distributed aid to victims in Staten Island and Queens.

Harvard University Students Running NYC Marathon in Boston for Hurricane Sandy | BostInno

Harvard University Students Running NYC Marathon in Boston for Hurricane Sandy | BostInno: On Sunday, Baker and Whitmore, both Harvard University seniors, did their own 26.2-mile marathon, here in Boston, while raising money to support those in need who were impacted by the furious October storm.

They started a fundraising page on Indiegogo.com and have pledged to give all of the proceeds they collect to the American Red Cross disaster relief efforts in NYC.

NC Governor Activates Disaster Relief Fund | digtriad.com

NC Governor Activates Disaster Relief Fund | digtriad.com: RALEIGH, NC -- Gov. Bev Perdue has activated the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund to help residents and businesses along the East Coast recover from Hurricane Sandy.

Red Cross trains volunteers to help out with Hurricane Sandy disaster relief | syracuse.com

Red Cross trains volunteers to help out with Hurricane Sandy disaster relief | syracuse.com: Dashnau was among nearly 30 people who took the day-long disaster relief shelter course offered Saturday at the Red Cross headquarters on Herald Place in Syracuse. After undergoing the training, the participants will be next to be deployed when and wherever they’re needed. The first group of 14 Red Cross volunteers left Wednesday, and these volunteers need to be ready to leave within 24 hours of being called.

Yahoo’s Homepage Isn’t Raising Enough Money For Hurricane Sandy Relief, Let’s All Step Up | TechCrunch

Yahoo’s Homepage Isn’t Raising Enough Money For Hurricane Sandy Relief, Let’s All Step Up | TechCrunch: Silicon Valley is slowly getting into gear, with Yahoo! doing its normal fundraising on its homepage. There’s only one problem, though: It doesn’t seem like the site is raising that much money. Now mind you, any money during this time is fantastic, but if you look back to 2005 during Hurricane Katrina, Yahoo! performed quite well for fundraising during that period.

Let’s look at Yahoo’s homepage today, which features the donation page and tracks how much money has been raised. I believe this is fantastic and it’s something every major site should add, maybe including ours:

NYC Bars Struggle After Hurricane Sandy - Forbes

NYC Bars Struggle After Hurricane Sandy - Forbes: Those of you who have made it through the past week relatively unscathed, we humbly ask of you: please, support the local businesses that you want to see make it through 2012. Pay in cash, whenever possible. Tip generously. Tell your friends to do the same. A handful of bars in Lower Manhattan are already open for business thanks to the collective energies (and ice) of numerous bars in Brooklyn and upper Manhattan. If you want to get a jump start supporting your favorite local watering holes, here’s an updated list of bars open for business (including many in the Sandy zones). Similarly, Eater has been compiling a list of restaurants open for business.

Further, many bars and restaurants will be hosting fundraising events over the coming days and weeks, which we will try to keep track of on the Classic’s Facebook page. (Tonight, for example, Booker & Dax will be taking over Momofuku Ma Peche starting at 5pm to raise money for the American Red Cross.) Eater is also continually updating a page for fundraising events nationwide.

Haley Barbour: Keep politics out of disaster relief

Haley Barbour: Keep politics out of disaster relief: Having worked as governor with administrations of both parties on several natural disasters, including Hurricane Katrina, I am surprised — to the point of disbelief — at the reactions from both right and left that New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, a Republican, has said favorable things about the Obama administration’s efforts in these early days after Hurricane Sandy.

AT&T Supports Disaster Relief in Hard-Hit States with Additional $250,000 in Hurricane Sandy Grants - PR Newswire - The Sacramento Bee

Press Release

AT&T Supports Disaster Relief in Hard-Hit States with Additional $250,000 in Hurricane Sandy Grants - PR Newswire - The Sacramento Bee: DALLAS, Nov. 2, 2012 -- /PRNewswire/ -- The AT&T Foundation today announced $250,000 in grants to organizations providing Hurricane Sandy relief and care efforts in four hard-hit states. The grant recipients are:

The Federal Government, States, and Cities — The All of the Above Disaster Response | Brookings Institution

The Federal Government, States, and Cities — The All of the Above Disaster Response | Brookings Institution: We have hit another political low. As hundreds of families remain displaced from their homes or stranded without power, disaster recovery falls prey to the tired question of who can govern it best. The reality is that rebuilding New York, coastal New Jersey, and all the communities along the unfortunate path of Hurricane Sandy will require the close coordination of federal, state, and local governments, and private sector partners, no matter the political stripes of the leaders involved.

The question is: Has our nation’s response to major disasters improved since Hurricane Katrina, the last time a storm left such a catastrophic mark on the United States?

SBA Loans For Nonprofit Operations - TheNonProfitTimes

SBA Loans For Nonprofit Operations - TheNonProfitTimes: If your nonprofit operates in any county that has been declared a major disaster area by President Barack Obama due to Hurricane Sandy, it might be eligible for low-interest loan from the Small Business Administration (SBA)