Donation for tsunami or earthquake relief?

[Guest]

Usually it doesn't take long after disasters for me to get e-mails suggesting where to donate. I haven't received any yet. The Rainbow Fund's website doesn't seem to indicate it's doing anything about the Samoan tsunami or the Indonesian earthquake. I found Direct Relief online, but I hadn't heard about them before. Any ideas?

[Guest greatness]

American Red Cross

 

You can always donate to American Red Cross.

 

Usually it doesn't take long after disasters for me to get e-mails suggesting where to donate. I haven't received any yet. The Rainbow Fund's website doesn't seem to indicate it's doing anything about the Samoan tsunami or the Indonesian earthquake. I found Direct Relief online, but I hadn't heard about them before. Any ideas?

[JT Brooklyn]

The American Red Cross

 

Agree..The American Red Cross Website takes the Donations.

[fedssocr1]

The American Red Cross is a good choice. And you can direct your donation to these particular disasters, their international fund, or to a number of other places.

 

Direct Relief International is also a good choice. They have very low overhead costs. I donate to them via the Combined Federal Campaign which is like the United Way except for federal employee giving.

[Guest zipperzone]

Agree..The American Red Cross Website takes the Donations.

 

That's a great idea. They need all the help they can get in paying for their outrageous overheads and executive salaries. There will even be a small percent left over for relief efforts.

[KMEM]

The Red Cross does plenty of things they might have to answer for to include MS. Dole and dumping of blood, but they are among the lowest in overhead of various charities. They seem to find 9-10% overhead as their benchmark and few come close to matching it.

 

I would have no qualms about donating to the Red Cross if the question is overhead.

 

Best regards,

KMEM

[fedssocr1]

According to the Better Business Bureau's give.org website the American Red Cross spends 5% on fundraising and administration and 95% on programs.

 

Direct Relief International spends 2% on fundraising and administration with 98% going to program expenses.

 

I think both of those are quite acceptible. Both are "BBB accredited charities"

[Guest]

I decided to give each $100, with the DRI money going to the Asian disasters and the American Red Cross going to the American Samoan tsunami victims...

[Guest greatness]

You are so considerate

 

Thank you for doing this!

 

I decided to give each $100, with the DRI money going to the Asian disasters and the American Red Cross going to the American Samoan tsunami victims...