UBJ Nonprofit Matters
By DEBBIE NELSON
Donating to Disasters: Don’t Be Duped as i contemplate writing my monthly UBJ column, I am hit with a flood of memories. The day is Thursday, Sept. 21, 1989. My family is pulling out of our driveway on Sullivan’s Island along with our dog, Lacey, boxes of photos, suitcases of clothing, beloved stuffed animals and as many cherished mementos as two cars can hold. We are heading west to escape the wrath of Hurricane Hugo. And while it might seem trivial, I clearly remember saying “good-bye” to seven recently planted Japanese pine trees and the giant water oak that graced our front yard. The next day I sat traumatized in a restaurant in Aiken not knowing what the future held for my family. I overheard a young man discussing his plans to fly over the S.C. coast the following day. I turned around and boldly asked if my husband and I could join him. This experience turned out to be one of the most powerful and emotional of my life. History reports there was extensive damage on Sullivan’s Island and beyond, but this does not capture what we saw that day. We flew over the houses of friends and neighbors – wordless, with tears in our eyes. And when we finally spotted our home, we shouted and pointed, “There it is! It is still standing…” We didn’t care that the roof was down to bare wood and that our treasured oak tree had no leaves. We had a home to go back to. So why do I share this story now? On May 20, Moore, Okla., was in the path of an EF5 tornado. Twentyfour people lost their lives; 10 were children. Twelve thousand buildings were damaged or destroyed. As you can imagine, this recent tragedy hit close to home for me. I want to encourage those listening to and watching the 24/7 news coverage detailing the devastation
to consider how they can effectively help the community of Moore. A friend posed this very question. How do you recommend I support the victims of the Moore tornado and other natural disasters? I want to be sure my donations reach those truly in need. CHRIS Chris, as with other forms of philanthropy, disaster giving should be a thoughtful process. Consider when and where your support will have the most impact. I recently read an enlightening article by Cynthia Strauss, director of research for Fidelity Charitable, in which she defines disaster relief in the following four phases: PHASE 1
PHASE 2
PHASE 3
PHASE 4
IMMEDIATE:
Day of disaster u6 months GOAL: Restoring order to the area INTERMEDIATE: Days after disaster u1 to 2 years after GOAL: Stabilization and return to daily activities LONG-TERM:
Weeks/ months after disaster u5 to 15 years after GOAL: Rebuilding for a better future DISASTER PREPAREDNESS:
Ongoing Emergency risk reduction and prevention GOAL:
Once you decide which phase you want to support, use these tips to select a worthy organization and avoid being scammed:
• Request detailed information about the organization. Be wary of charities that refuse to provide this information. • Research the organization. Search online using the words “complaints” or “scam” to learn about its reputation. Be wary of organizations that have names that are too similar to reputable groups. • Contact organizations such as Charity Navigator and GuideStar. • Be wary of charities that use high-pressure tactics. • Visit the IRS website to identify organizations that are eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions. • Always keep records of your donations. Be wary of charities that thank you for a pledge you don’t remember making. • Never send cash donations or wire money. Do not provide credit card numbers, bank accounts or other personal information until you’ve thoroughly researched the charity. • Be wary of charities that spring up immediately following a disaster. While they may be legitimate, they probably don’t have the infrastructure to get the donations to the affected area or people.
In general, donations made for Phase 1 support are better implemented by national or international organizations. These groups can assemble the necessary resources from outside the disaster area and can act quickly. Groups to consider for the Moore tornado are the American National Red Cross, AmeriCares and Direct Relief International. Donations to the Red Cross will be directed to overall disaster relief, unless you specify a particular disaster. When making donations during Phases 2-4, I encourage you to donate to a community-based group. To find the right organization, visit the local United Way and community foundation websites to learn about their nonprofit partners. For the Moore tornado, consult with the Oklahoma City Community Foundation and the United Way of Central Oklahoma. As I close, I take a deep breath. This past week, the 2013 Atlantic hurricane season began. For the past 24 years on June 1 I reflect on how fortunate my family was during and after Hugo. We couldn’t move back into our home for more than nine months; however, we had insurance, a place to stay, the support of family and friends – and most importantly, we were all safe. Unfortunately, this is not always the case for those in the path of natural disasters. Until next time, DEBBIE Debbie@dnacc.com dnacc.com
Debbie Nelson is the president and founder of DNA Creative Communications, a public relations firm that partners with nonprofit and government organizations in the education, human services and sustainability sectors. DNA offers its Shine the Light on Your Nonprofit educational workshops. Register now for “The Funder/Grantee Dynamic: A Candid Conversation” to be held on June 13 at the Kroc Center. Call 864-235-0959 x4.
June 7, 2013 UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL 11