The NonProfit Times - June 15, 2008 - (Page 4)

FUNDRAISING Continued from page 1 we’re able to consistently grow our donor base,” Carlson said. Santa Barbara, Calif.-based Direct Relief International (DRI) has raised nearly $600,000 for both disasters, far less than the $14 million generated after the Asian tsunami. “In pure amounts, it’s less but we’re still very happy with the amounts we’ve received,” said Press Secretary Jim Prosser. “Part of the equation is, in the case of Myanmar, at the cusp was the unclear picture for the international community of what the Myanmar government would allow for the response, whether that would result in actual aid.And now those questions are starting to get resolved.” Direct Relief appeared in a number of news outlets, as well as 3,400 blog hits, and along with UNICEF was featured on Google’s home page the week after the cyclone. The vast majority of the $579,000 raised came online, specifically from the Google exposure, Prosser said. There will be some very long-term needs for disaster victims, much like the 2005 earthquake in Pakistan, Prosser said, in addition to the short-term medicines Numerous nonprofits have sent money and supplies to affected areas of China. Guo Xin, right, a Mercy Corps staffer and native of Sichuan province in China, helps get supplies to those in need. A family in China seeks comfort after the earthquake. sent during the next few months. Direct Relief is committing a minimum of $250,000 to help meet the immediate need for basic health care and potentially significant long-term need for prosthetic and orthotic care in China. The organization also has committed $500,000 in cash and has already issued $143,000 in targeted cash grants to locally-based or locally-operating groups serving the medical needs of affected people. The American Red Cross (ARC) has raised more than $17.5 million for relief efforts in China and more than $2 million in Myanmar, receiving $4.7 million for international response fund after May 2. “Obviously there are a lot of factors involved in why people give,” said Michael Oko, a spokesman for the Red Cross. “It’s hard to say what is the one factor, especially at this point in a disaster when things are still developing.The economy could be a factor.The time of year could be a factor, the amount of media coverage.” The 2004 tsunami had a tremendous scope, affecting more than 12 nations.The American Red Cross raised hundreds of millions of dollars for that in a relatively short time.“We’ve seen a lot of interest, but not of the previous scale of the tsunami,” Oko said. Alyssa Herman,director of development for Doctors Without Borders/Médicines Sans Frontières (MSF) in New York City, doesn’t believe in “compassion fatigue,” but just different sets of circumstances. “The tsunami struck in the heart of the giving season, affected multiple countries, and there were fewer images. In the case of both China and Myanmar, there are significant barriers and the public is very aware of that. It’s just different, the way organizations can respond and the way media are talking about them is completely different.” MSF saw a big boost in giving via the Web,some five times as much as it normally would receive online during a typical day and time of year. The nonprofit has raised $640,000 in restricted gifts and another $600,000 that donors said could be used for Myanmar or wherever most needed. Other organizations have sent relief supplies, including water filtration systems and plastic sheeting for temporary shelters, in the days and weeks following the disasters. A joint relief effort by Samaratin’s Purse and Billy Graham Evangelistic Association in Boone, N.C., sent 90 tons of relief supplies. Stamford, Conn.-based AmeriCares sent 15 tons of medicines such as antibiotics, analgesics, ointments and multivitamins as well as medical equipment and supplies to treat the immediate needs of those injured and to help prevent the anticipated spread of illness and disease throughout the region. The International Rescue Committee (IRC), based in New York City, sent more than 11 tons of plastic sheeting, water containers and health and hygiene supplies to devastated villages in Myanmar, with more water purification tablets and water treatment units on the way. The supplies were donated by Muslim Aid and Global Medic, which are also sending the IRC more than $1 million of antibiotics and other vital medicines. Another 10 tons of IRC’s prepositioned emergency stocks that stored in Dubai were expected as well. Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors aims to raise $19.3 million through The Bridge Fund Sichuan Earthquake Compassion Fund for the International Red Cross, to benefit the Red Cross Society of China efforts. Alison DaSilva, vice president at The Cone Company, a Boston-based strategy and communications agency, said there are fewer companies donating and fewer corporate donations than in previous dis- asters. She estimated about $600 million was donated toward Hurricane Katrina efforts, $565 million toward the Asian tsunami and $750 million for the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Seven corporations or their foundations have together pledged donations in excess of $6.4 million with more than 60 corporations in all pledging support to the Red Cross, which committed an initial $10 million. DaSilva said there are any numbers of reasons why corporations have pulled back, whether it’s the Myanmar government creating obstacles, the U.S. recession or donor fatigue.Some companies refuse to purchase products from factories based in Myanmar, she said, while others might still be contributing to efforts in New Orleans. Corporations might be looking more closely at where they’re giving and how much they’re giving, DaSilva said, becoming a little more selective. Katrina “was a big wakeup call for some companies,” she said, in terms of business impacting philanthropy. NPT Staff Writer Michele Donohue contributed to this report. Photo Courtesy American Red Cross GRANT INSTITUTE Continued from page 1 plaints.“I’ll be the first to say that the administrative and business element is something I’m learning. It’s been a learning experience,” said Jones. “I have a lot of faith in our program. I’m still committed to its improvement.” At least 44 complaints were lodged with the BBB against the Institute during the past 36 months. The organization has received an “F” rating – the lowest rating possible. Jones said, “I don’t think it’s an appropriate assessment of who we are.” Jones said since the company opened in late 2003 some 20,000 attendees have attended workshops, some currently listed on the Web site from Dover, Del. to Anchorage,Ala. BBB complaints range from changing workshop venues, instructors failing to show up and unauthorized credit card charges.Attendees who requested refunds claim that they were passed from staff-tostaff with refund promises. Attempts to reach higher management were denied, according to the complaints. The Institute promises that for $997 it will provide an advanced five-day workshop, including materials, a certificate, and an informational CD. On its Web site, the The Institute is not listed as a CFRE-approved continuing education provider. organization announces that each student will receive 3.5 Continuing Education Units (CEU) from the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), based in Arlington,Va. – even though AFP hasn’t offered CEU credits since its program merged with the Falls Church, Va.-based Association for Healthcare Philanthropy to create the Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) Professional Certification Board, now known as CFRE International based in Alexandria,Va., in 1997.That’s six years before the Institute opened. John Griffin, recertification manager at CFRE International, said the organization currently has no affiliation with the Institute. Griffin said that if a person included the Institute’s credits in their CFRE continuing education application that there is a “good chance that we would accept it.” But, he said the Institute is not listed as a CFRE-approved continuing education provider. Michael Nilsen, public affairs director at AFP, said that he could find “no evidence of a relationship” between AFP and the Institute and restated that AFP no longer manages the CEU program. The Institute charges $597 for a beginGrant Institute, page 5 JUNE 15, 2008 THE NONPROFIT TIMES www.nptimes.com Photos By Raul Vasquez for Mercy Corps http://www.nptimes.com

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The NonProfit Times - June 15, 2008 Fundraising Fizzles For Myanmar And China Complaints Filed Against Grant Institute Nonprofit Styles Aren't Out Of Fashion Contents Lights. Camera. Action. Calendar New Boss At Gates Approaching Businesses Big Isn't Always Better Obama And You 'Always Do Right' New Boss At NCNA Three Networks Will Air $100 Million Cancer Fundraiser NPT Jobs Resource Directory

The NonProfit Times - June 15, 2008

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