Friday, November 16, 2012

With Recovers.org, Two Sisters Revolutionize Disaster Relief

With Recovers.org, Two Sisters Revolutionize Disaster Relief: We realized a community like ours was ill-equipped to manage recovery," O'Neill said. "So we thought: Let's build that platform."

What she and her sister launched was Recovers.org, a barely 6-month-old crowd-sourcing disaster relief website that has suddenly found its work cut out for it in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. The site works by linking volunteers with where they're needed in specific communities, offering up-to-the-minute social media updates on relief programs, and databasing even the most random donation items so they're easier to disperse exactly where they're needed.

Thursday, November 15, 2012

How Does Hurricane Sandy Fundraising Compare to Other Disasters? | npENGAGE

How does fundraising in support of Hurricane Sandy compare to other disasters? That’s a question that people have been asking a lot this week and I wanted to try to give an answer.
On the surface, disaster fundraising for Hurricane Sandy appears to be lagging other major events like the Haitian Earthquake in 2010 and Hurricane Katrina in 2005. That might make for provocative headlines, but there is a lot more going on here than initial appearances.
How Does Hurricane Sandy Fundraising Compare to Other Disasters? | npENGAGE


Insight: Red Cross response to Sandy fails to meet expectations | Reuters

Insight: Red Cross response to Sandy fails to meet expectations | Reuters: In interviews with public officials and Red Cross staff, as well as first responders from other aid organizations, it has become clear the Red Cross was hampered by the sheer magnitude of the disaster, by its decision to position supplies and staff well outside the areas likely to be hardest hit by the storm, and by misperceptions about what kinds of relief it would provide in New York City.

The sense of letdown is all the more stark because the Red Cross, the fifth-largest charity in the United States by private donations, is viewed by many as the place to donate money when there is a major disaster at home or abroad. It has raised nearly $120 million since Sandy - spending about $40 million of that so far.

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

New Tech City: The Future of Disaster Relief: Food, Water, Shelter…and Wi-Fi Blimps? - WNYC

New Tech City: The Future of Disaster Relief: Food, Water, Shelter…and Wi-Fi Blimps? - WNYC: Using technology to get communities back on their feet faster after a crisis might include floating blimps with wi-fi over a disaster-hit city or creating a National Guard of tech geeks to take action when the digital infrastructure goes down or maybe even stockpiling electronics and generators for tech reserves, similar to oil reserves.

Sandy Deals Blow to N.Y. Maritime Museum's Recovery - Philanthropy Today - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas

Sandy Deals Blow to N.Y. Maritime Museum's Recovery - Philanthropy Today - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas: Sandy Deals Blow to N.Y. Maritime Museum’s Recovery

November 13, 2012, 10:28 am

Just as it is beginning to emerge from years of financial struggles, New York’s South Street Seaport Museum has been dealt what its president called “a body blow” by Superstorm Sandy and is desperately seeking donors, says The New York Times. Floodwater surging up to six feet destroyed the building’s electrical and computer systems, cafe, admissions desk, and gift shop.

Relief, rehabilitation work underway in quake-hit regions in Myanmar - Globaltimes.cn

Relief, rehabilitation work underway in quake-hit regions in Myanmar - Globaltimes.cn: Relief and rehabilitation work in quake-hit northern regions in Myanmar have been underway as Vice President Sa Mauk Kham rushed to the scene several hours after a strong earthquake of 6.8 magnitude Mandalay and Sagaing regions Sunday morning.

Monday, November 12, 2012

Update: Charities Raise More Than $174-Million for Sandy Victims - Recovering From Sandy - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas

Update: Charities Raise More Than $174-Million for Sandy Victims - Recovering From Sandy - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas: As of Friday, charities have reported raising more than $174-million for relief and recovery efforts in the wake of Superstorm Sandy, which devastated the New York and New Jersey region on October 30.

That’s more than the $136-million that U.S. charities had raised within 10 days of last year’s Japan tsunami and earthquake. But it’s dwarfed by the outpouring that followed the 2010 Haiti earthquake ($380-million 10 days after the event) and 2005′s Hurricane Katrina ($740-million nine days after the storm).

Still reeling from Superstorm Sandy, Staten Island now dealing with disaster tourists - NY Daily News

Still reeling from Superstorm Sandy, Staten Island now dealing with disaster tourists - NY Daily News: Still reeling from Superstorm Sandy, Staten Island now dealing with disaster tourists
Gawkers are flocking to Staten Island to see the damage caused by the hurricane. 'It's a little annoying,' said one resident, though he admitted, 'I would do it, too.'

Red Cross pushes back on Sandy response, calls it 'near flawless' - U.S. News

Red Cross pushes back on Sandy response, calls it 'near flawless' - U.S. News: The American Red Cross, which bills itself as “the world's largest humanitarian network,” is pushing back against critics of its response to superstorm Sandy, with the head of the organization saying its relief effort has been “near flawless” despite criticism from stranded storm victims and elected officials.

Corporate Donations Help Red Cross Respond after Superstorm Sandy - PR Newswire - The Sacramento Bee

Corporate Donations Help Red Cross Respond after Superstorm Sandy - PR Newswire - The Sacramento Bee: Throughout the year, corporate members of the Annual Disaster Giving Program (ADGP) allow the Red Cross to prepare for and respond to the needs of people affected by disaster across the United States, regardless of cost. Before Sandy made landfall, ADGP funds were helping the Red Cross open shelters, pre-position supplies and move disaster workers. Beyond their annual commitment, many of these members have made further financial gifts to the Red Cross in support of the ongoing Sandy relief operation.

6 Innovative Fundraising Campaigns for Sandy Relief

6 Innovative Fundraising Campaigns for Sandy Relief: Since Hurricane Sandy affected such specific areas, it hasn’t been possible for everyone to go out and volunteer on the ground. Established organizations, groups and individuals have been doing what they can from their own homes or neighborhoods, using technology and online services such as Indiegogo, Amazon and Facebook to raise money and offer help to those who need it.

Here’s a roundup of inspiring and innovative ways people have supported Sandy relief causes with the Internet and technology.

Sandy relief groups fight ‘disaster after the disaster’: Donations of unneeded, unwanted items - The Washington Post

Sandy relief groups fight ‘disaster after the disaster’: Donations of unneeded, unwanted items - The Washington Post: MOUNT LAUREL, N.J. — Superstorm Sandy has brought out generosity far and wide in the biggest U.S. relief effort for the American Red Cross and other groups since Hurricane Katrina swamped the Gulf Coast in 2005.

And while the response is heartwarming, some of that is also helping create a “second disaster after the disaster,” in the words of one expert.

Sandy Likely Biggest U.S. Relief Effort Since 2005 « CBS Baltimore

Sandy Likely Biggest U.S. Relief Effort Since 2005 « CBS Baltimore

Expedited Exemptions For Sandy-Related Charities - TheNonProfitTimes

Expedited Exemptions For Sandy-Related Charities - TheNonProfitTimes: The Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced an expedited review and approval process for organizations seeking tax-exempt status to provide relief for victims of Hurricane Sandy, though the IRS still encourages people to use existing organizations currently working on immediate aid efforts.

Wild Apricot Blog : Disaster Fundraising, Dressing Up That Dog, Serious Questions and More

Wild Apricot Blog : Disaster Fundraising, Dressing Up That Dog, Serious Questions and More: It’s been a wild ride lately - with a Hurricane and a Presidential election! So if you’re just catching up on your non-profit or membership reading, here are 5 of the posts we’ve bookmarked on Apricot Jam this week to get you started.