http://philanthropy.com/free/update/2005/01/2005012001.htm
Donations for Tsunami Relief Top $487-Million
By Brennen Jensen and Nicole Wallace
American relief charities have raised more than $487-million to aid victims of the deadly earthquake and tsunamis in South Asia, with much of the money coming in online. That amount now far exceeds the $350-million pledged by the U.S. Government.
Some of the money raised by relief groups has been contributed by companies and foundations. The Chronicle has tallied more than $126-million awarded to relief efforts by grant makers.
Among the results from organizations across the United States:
- The American Red Cross, in Washington, has raised $194-million.
- The U.S. Fund for Unicef, in New York, has received more than $58-million for its relief efforts, $35-million of which has come in online.
- Catholic Relief Services, in Baltimore, has brought in more than $41-million, $12.6-million of which was donated online.
- Save the Children, in Westport, Conn., has received more than $32-million in contributions, with more than $10-million coming through the organization's Web site.
- Oxfam America, in Boston, has raised approximately $26-million, $13.2-million of which was donated online. Together Oxfam International affiliates have raised $149-million.
- World Vision USA, in Federal Way, Wash., had received gifts totaling $24.1-million, with Internet contributions accounting for $12.4-million of that figure. Internationally, World Vision has raised more than $200-million.
- CARE USA, in Atlanta, has collected $23-million for its relief efforts. Internet gifts account for $7.4-million of that total. Internationally, CARE has raised $88-million.
- Doctors Without Borders, in New York, has raised more than $20-million, $16-million of which was contributed via the Internet. Worldwide, the Doctors Without Borders network has raised more than $50-million.
- Mercy Corps, in Portland, Ore., has raised $18-million -- almost $8-million more than the organization raised during its entire 2004 fiscal year. Internet gifts account for $6.5-million of the total Mercy Corps has raised for its relief efforts.
- AmeriCares, in Stamford, Conn., has raised $16-million.
- American Jewish World Service, in New York, has raised $6-million, with online donations making up half that amount.
- The International Rescue Committee, in New York, has raised $5.6-million, with online donations accounting for about 10 percent of that amount.
- Lutheran World Relief, in Baltimore, has raised $5.2-million.
- The Salvation Army, in Alexandria, Va., has raised more than $5-million.
- United Jewish Communities, in New York City, has raised over $4-million.
- Islamic Relief USA, in Burbank, Calif., has raised $3-million.
- International Aid, in Spring Lake, Mich., has raised $1.8-million.
- Food for the Hungry, in Phoenix, has raised $1.5 million.
- Church World Service, in Elkhart, Ind., has raised $1.5-million
- The Brother's Brother Foundation, in Pittsburgh, has raised nearly $1-million.
While the pace of donations raised for the victims of the December 26 disaster has been extraordinarily quick and generous, American charities raised money at a quicker pace after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. In the two weeks after the attacks, donors contributed at least $550-million to help the victims of that catastrophe.