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2011 Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Efforts

2011 Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Efforts

UPDATED: March 28, 2011

Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected by the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan.  The preliminary numbers on those affected by these disasters are staggering, and in the days and months to come, they may only get worse.

As we do during times of disaster, Maryland Philanthropy Network will serve as a clearinghouse for resources and information about relief efforts. Our website will be updated as new information is received, so please check it regularly.

We provide the following information to assist you as you consider your response:

INTERNATIONAL RELIEF EFFORT INFORMATION

"Giving for Japan Disaster Now Totals More Than $161-Million," March 25, 2011 - Chronicle of Philanthropy 

Maryland Philanthropy Network MEMBERS PHILANTHROPIC RESPONSES

Maryland Philanthropy Network members are acting swiftly and generously to support relief efforts. 

  • Constellation Energy Group is giving $50,000 to the American Red Cross Central MD Chapter and will be matching employees' charitable donations.
  • Citi is giving $2.4 million in aid efforts from Citi and the Citi Foundation. 
  • McCormick & Co. Inc. donated $50,000 to the American Red Cross and will match employee contributions made through their employee donation program.
  • CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield has also donated $50,000 plus employee gift match.
  • Bank of America will donate at least $1.22 million to relief efforts. Half of that donation will go to the American Red Cross, while the other half will be used to match employees' donations. In result, the bank will not limit its overall donation.
  • IBM will make an initial corporate donation of up to $1 million of services and technology to Japan's relief and recovery effort. IBM is currently working with the Japanese government to understand their priorities and to determine where and how IBM can provide the most effective support.
  • The Legg Mason Charitable Foundation made a $50,000 grant to the American Red Cross earmarked for the Japanese Red Cross Society for disaster relief aid. They also promoted employee fundraising efforts via jeans days, which raised over $12,000 in addition disaster relief funds.
  • The Northrop Grumman Foundation will provide $500,000 through three agencies supporting the Japan recovery effort. Those agencies include AmeriCares, American Red Cross International and Save the Children. The foundation will also provide up to another $500,000 to an employee matching gift program to help Japan.
  • The T. Rowe Price Foundation will award grants totaling $200,000. Initial grants of $50,000 each will be awarded to the American Red Cross and Save the Children. The remaining $100,000 will be decided at a later date.
    In addition, T. Rowe Price will have a Spirit Day on March 22, whereby associates can wear jeans and make a $5 voluntary charitable contribution. Contributions will go to Save the Children, and the Foundation will match the cash raised 1:1. (Their standard Global Matching Gift program is in effect for donations associates wish to make to other relief organizations.)
  • The Verizon Foundation will match Verizon employee contributions to the American Red Cross, Save the Children and World Vision for relief efforts, $1-for-$1 up to $1,000 per employee, through the Verizon disaster relief incentive program. All calls made from a Verizon residential landline to Japan will be rated at $0.00 per minute, from March 11 through April 10. Customers with Verizon World Plan can call Japan without using any minutes from their time-allotment blocks. Also, Verizon Prepaid Phone Card charges for all long-distance calls placed to Japan from the United States will also be waived from March 11 until April 10. Verizon Wireless customers can use their mobile phones to make $10 donations to a host of non-profit organizations responding to the earthquake and subsequent tsunami.  All Verizon Wireless post-paid customers will receive free calling, free text and multimedia messaging to Japan from March 11 through April 10. 
  • Wells Fargo will contribute $1.5 million to assist victims.The company will immediately contribute $500,000 to the American Red Cross to support the Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami Fund. In addition,Wells Fargowill match contributions from its team members dollar-for-dollar, up to $500,000, for a potential total of $1.5 million.

Please let us know how you are engaged in relief efforts.  Grant amounts, assisted organizations, and any other relief work that your organization undertakes will serve as valuable resources as your grantmaking colleagues craft response strategies.

BEST PRACTICES IN DISASTER GRANTMAKING 

A joint study of the European Foundation Centre and the Council on Foundations determined that grantmakers can be more effective and strategic in addressing disasters by following eight principles of good disaster management.

  1. Do no harm.
  2. Stop, look and listen before taking action.
  3. Don't act in isolation.
  4. Think beyond the immediate crisis to the long term.
  5. Bear in mind the expertise of local organizations.
  6. Find out how prospective grantees operate.
  7. Be accountable to those you are trying to help.
  8. Communicate your work widely and use it as an educational tool.

A number of practical suggestions for good disaster grantmaking flow from these principles and are highlighted in this free guide.  Click here to read more and download "Disaster Grantmaking: A Practical Guide for Foundations and Corporations"

LOCAL RELIEF ORGANIZATIONS

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Resource type: 
ABAG Resource Page
Funding Area: 
Disaster Relief
Topic: 
Grantmaking Strategy & Tools
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