Friday, January 04, 2013

NY AG: Charities raise $400m for Sandy relief - WSJ.com

NY AG: Charities raise $400m for Sandy relief - WSJ.com: NEW YORK — Charities in New York state have collectively raised more than $400 million for Hurricane Sandy relief efforts, the state's attorney general said Thursday.

A survey of 88 nonprofit groups by Eric Schneiderman's office found that as of mid-December, the fundraising for storm victims had been dominated by five charities, led by The American Red Cross, which had raised $188 million, the Robin Hood Foundation, which had taken in $67 million and The Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City, which collected $45 million.

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Hearts Broken - How to Help Newtown

Hearts Broken - How to Help Newtown: Update: The Chronicle of Philanthropy reported on Tuesday that donations are pouring in to several memorial funds set up for the families of the Sandy Hook victims. More Than $1-Million Raised for Newtown's Survivors.

It's been a very hard week for everyone. The tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut on Friday took away our breath and our joy.

My emotions have been both grief and helplessness. But I also experienced a deep need to do something, anything to help.

Monday, December 17, 2012

How to Respond to a National Tragedy | Nonprofit Marketing | Getting Attention

How to Respond to a National Tragedy | Nonprofit Marketing | Getting Attention: How to Respond to a National Tragedy

Like you, my heart and head are heavy in the wake of Friday’s tragedy in Newtown, CT. Especially since I feel so helpless.

My gut is that’s how many of your supporters and prospects are feeling as well, and what will be top of mind for at least a few more days. So be responsive, even though you’re pressured by the year-end push for support.

Opinion: Losing Charitable Tax Break A Societal Deduction - TheNonProfitTimes

Opinion: Losing Charitable Tax Break A Societal Deduction - TheNonProfitTimes: he Center on Philanthropy (CoP) in Indianapolis, Ind., estimated that after three weeks, fundraising for Sandy, which rampaged up the East Coast impacting 65 million people in 11 states, stood at $219 million. Fundraising for the 2005 tsunami was $610 million after the same time period. Haiti received $752 million. Fundraising for September 11 was $876 million, and $1.3 billion for Katrina.

Four weeks out from Sandy, CoP’s estimate of the fundraising total was $244 million. The bulk of that went to the American Red Cross.

Friday, December 14, 2012

Strengthening coordination of UN humanitarian and disaster relief assistance

Strengthening coordination of UN humanitarian and disaster relief assistance: Strengthening coordination of UN humanitarian and disaster relief assistance
13-12-2012 Statement

United Nations, General Assembly, 67th session, Plenary, Item70(a) of the agenda, statement by the ICRC, New York, 13 December 2012.

Full title: Strengthening of the coordination of humanitarian and disaster relief assistance of the United Nations, including special economic assistance

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Taiwan donates helicopters to Guatemala disaster-relief work - The China Post

Taiwan donates helicopters to Guatemala disaster-relief work - The China Post: AIPEI, Taiwan -- Taiwan donated two helicopters to Guatemala on Monday and has revamped two of the Central American ally's existing choppers to bolster its humanitarian and disaster-relief operations, the Ministry of Nation Defense (MND) said yesterday.

FEMA Says That Nonprofits Should Notify the State of Damage in Case a Public Assistance Grant Is Needed | LoanSafe

FEMA Says That Nonprofits Should Notify the State of Damage in Case a Public Assistance Grant Is Needed | LoanSafe: The program reimburses government entities, tribal nations and nonprofits for debris removal, emergency protective measures and permanent restoration of disaster-damaged infrastructure to pre-disaster condition.

IRS Gives Additional Time to Small, Automatically Revoked Tax-Exempt Organizations Affected by Hurricane Sandy | Planned Giving Design Center

IRS Gives Additional Time to Small, Automatically Revoked Tax-Exempt Organizations Affected by Hurricane Sandy | Planned Giving Design Center: As part of the administration’s efforts to bring all available resources to bear to support state and local partners impacted by Hurricane Sandy, the IRS is postponing the filing date until Feb. 1, 2013, for some small tax-exempt organizations affected by Hurricane Sandy to take advantage of transitional relief when applying for reinstatement of their exempt status.

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Charity: Water Founder Focuses on NYC :: Articles :: Gotham Magazine

Charity: Water Founder Focuses on NYC :: Articles :: Gotham Magazine: When Hurricane Sandy struck the East Coast, the apocalyptic images of thousands of New Yorkers without shelter and clean drinking water stuck a chord for Charity: Water founder Scott Harrison. “People see pictures of kids filling our ubiquitous jerricans [yellow jugs pictured] from hydrants and are absolutely shocked,” says Harrison, who volunteered with other Charity: Water staffers to pass out water and supplies in Chelsea and the Lower East Side. “This is what we see in the developing world, but it’s water from a pond or a muddy river. There’s been that kind of tension of, ‘How do we best serve people in our own backyard,’ but also, we’ve made a commitment to 400,000 people [overseas] over the next couple months. The people that we are championing are not on television; they’re silently walking and waiting for people like us to be their voice and stand in the gap for them.”

Monday, December 10, 2012

Haiti - Fund Created by Clinton and Bush to Close - NYTimes.com

Haiti - Fund Created by Clinton and Bush to Close - NYTimes.com: A pro-business fund that was created by former Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush in the aftermath of Haiti’s devastating earthquake nearly three years ago will cease operations at the end of this month, an executive for the organization said Friday.

State, Not Aid Group, to Run N.Y. Governor's Sandy Fund - Philanthropy Today - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas

State, Not Aid Group, to Run N.Y. Governor's Sandy Fund - Philanthropy Today - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas: State, Not Aid Group, to Run N.Y. Governor’s Sandy Fund

December 10, 2012, 8:51 am

The Empire State Relief Fund., established by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo to help victims of Superstorm Sandy, will be overseen by a government agency rather than a large aid charity, The Wall Street Journal reports.

Post-Sandy Donor Fatigue Worries N.Y. Charities - Philanthropy Today - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas

Post-Sandy Donor Fatigue Worries N.Y. Charities - Philanthropy Today - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas: The rush of donations to aid victims of Superstorm Sandy is straining giving to other New York City-area nonprofit groups, writes The Wall Street Journal.

Tuesday, December 04, 2012

Steven Cohen: We Need a Federal Disaster Superfund

Steven Cohen: We Need a Federal Disaster Superfund: Hurricane Sandy's unprecedented impact on the New York-New Jersey region is still being felt over a month after the storm has passed. The storm resulted in a massive response effort that continues today and has involved every level of government along with an impressive outpouring of private help. It is now clear that it will take a long time to recover from this disaster. Despite the wealth of this region, we will need help from the rest of the nation if we are to fully recover. The nation must develop a more routine and adequate method of funding response to disasters. We need a federal Disaster Superfund.

Monday, December 03, 2012

Lawmaker Wants To Create “New York State Natural Disaster Relief Fund” | Albany Watch

Lawmaker Wants To Create “New York State Natural Disaster Relief Fund” | Albany Watch: Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb, R-Canandaigua, is proposing to create a state natural disaster relief fund to help families impacted by Superstorm Sandy and prepare for future disasters, Gannett’s Haley Viccaro reports.

Reuniting Families with Lost Hurricane Sandy Pets - Causes Blog

Reuniting Families with Lost Hurricane Sandy Pets - Causes Blog: When New York City Animal Care & Control began sheltering lost pets after Hurricane Sandy’s destruction of the East Coast, cause leader Danielle Karr knew all too well what would result of their lives. After a certain period of time, the NYC ACC creates “To Be Destroyed” lists for pets unable to find a home. Danielle, reluctant to allow for mass euthanizing of pets, decided to act. Soon after Hurricane Sandy’s landfall, Danielle created a petition asking NYC ACC to halt their “To Be Destroyed” lists for the sake of families hoping to find their pets. After initially seeking 1,500 signatures on Causes.com, her petition has now attracted more than 50,000 signers, people who are adamant to help families reconnect with their pets.

After 2007 wildfires, corporate philanthropy tests its limits

After 2007 wildfires, corporate philanthropy tests its limits: In the days after after devastating 2007 wildfires sparked by backcountry power lines, utility executives set up a new charity, the Sempra Energy Foundation, intent on helping victims of a conflagration that killed two and burned 1,300 homes in San Diego County.

In the months to follow, the nonprofit foundation funded by Sempra Energy investors distributed $5,158,000 among 1,238 property owners and renters who were left homeless by the fire or lost significant holdings. An additional $60,000 went to a dozen recovery groups that rallied behind people whose home burned.

Japan to give U.S. $5 million for tsunami debris - Times-Standard Online

Japan to give U.S. $5 million for tsunami debris - Times-Standard Online: Japan's government announced on Friday it would give $5 million to the U.S. to clean up debris expected to wash ashore from the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

The funds, donated to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Marine Debris Program, will be used for removal of debris, disposal fees, cleanup supplies, detection and monitoring.

App manages disaster relief - AltoonaMirror.com - Altoona, PA | News, Sports, Jobs, Community Information - The Altoona Mirror

App manages disaster relief - AltoonaMirror.com - Altoona, PA | News, Sports, Jobs, Community Information - The Altoona Mirror: LORETTO - When disaster strikes, first responders can now turn to their iPads for support.

At least that was the goal of developers at St. Francis University with the creation of the Preliminary Disaster Assessment Reporting application, an iPad app tailored for emergency management officials.

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

MediaShift Idea Lab . During Hurricane Sandy, News Participation Starts at 'Home' | PBS

MediaShift Idea Lab . During Hurricane Sandy, News Participation Starts at 'Home' | PBS: Recently, Hurricane Sandy here in the United States demonstrated this, with Twitter and Instagram in particular serving as major platforms for people to participate in an unfolding, news-worthy event. And media outlets took notice, with extensive reports around the effort of citizen participation. Some lauded the efforts of individuals to share information on Twitter; while others noted the changing flavor of the tweets, which evolved from humorous pokes at media coverage to critical information exchange. And of course, one user's account was famously unmasked for its false and potentially dangerous tweets.