
http://philanthropy.com/free/update/2005/01/2005012101.htm
$521-Million Raised by U.S Charities for Tsunami Relief
By Brennen Jensen and Nicole Wallace
American relief charities have raised more than $521-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 United States 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 $222.9-million. The organization's total includes some of the donations made during a two-hour NBC telethon on January 15.
- 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 $41.5-million, $12.6-million of which was donated online.
- Save the Children, in Westport, Conn., has received $33-million in contributions, with more than $10-million coming through the organization's Web site.
- Oxfam America, in Boston, has raised $26.5-million, $13.2-million of which was donated online. Together Oxfam International affiliates have raised $158.7-million.
- World Vision USA, in Federal Way, Wash., had received gifts totaling $25.3-million, with Internet contributions accounting for $12.7-million of that figure. Internationally, World Vision has raised more than $220-million.
- CARE USA, in Atlanta, has collected $24.5-million for its relief efforts. Internet gifts account for $7.6-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 $7-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.
- Action Against Hunger, in New York, NY., has received nearly $700,000.
While the pace of donations raised for the victims of the December 26 disaster has been extraordinarily quick and generous, American charities raised more money more quickly after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. In the first three weeks after the attacks, donors contributed at least $840-million to help the victims of that catastrophe.