Giving for hurricane relief exceeds Sept. 11 contributions

Giving for hurricane relief exceeds Sept. 11 contributions: "Giving for hurricane relief exceeds Sept. 11 contributions
$2.96 billion sets record for disaster relief giving

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Dec. 13, 2005

INDIANAPOLIS -- Charitable giving to aid victims of Gulf Coast Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma has now reached more than $2.96 billion, setting what is believed to be a record for U.S. private philanthropic giving for a single disaster relief and recovery effort, reports the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University.

Total giving in response to the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 reached just over $2.8 billion, according to a report compiled by The Foundation Center.

'When disaster strikes, Americans instinctively want to help, and when the tragedy hits close to home, the response is especially strong,' said Gene Tempel, executive director of the Center on Philanthropy. 'The vast scope of the long-term recovery and rebuilding and the fact that many Americans from across the country have gone to the area to help and returned with stories of tremendous needs mean it's likely that we will see contributions continue for some time to come.'"