How to be a Good Philanthropist When Disaster Strikes

International Grantmaking: Guidelines for the Individual Donor

As an individual donor considering a gift to support the disaster relief efforts, you may need help in identifying a beneficiary. First, go to the website of the organization to which you are considering making a donation. Browse the site and try to find the answers to the questions listed below. If you have lingering concerns, do not hesitate to contact a program officer, development director, or even executive director at the organization that interests you: before making a significant gift, a serious donor will likely wish to make contact with someone who has direct knowledge of ongoing programs and operations. Ask your questions, listen carefully, use your analytical skills, and don’t feel intimidated—even if you are new at this.

Here are some questions that may help you investigate a website or guide you in a discussion on the phone:

1.                 How long have you been working in the area? Do you have an office or offices on the ground in one or more of the affected countries? (This tends to be KEY to good distribution and knowledge of needs.)

2.                 If you don’t have an office on the ground but are partnering with local organizations, who are they? What are they doing? What challenges are they facing?

3.                  How much money are you trying to raise for this purpose? How much have you raised to date? If you are at or near your goal, do you plan to divert the money to other worthwhile projects outside of the one for which you are currently raising funds (which may be fine with a donor, but may not)?

4.                 How can I designate my contribution so that it does go to the program or area I wish to support?

5.                  What kinds of services do you supply? Are you there for emergency purposes only or also “for the long run”? If the latter, what do you plan to do after immediate needs are met?

6.                  Are you ranked on any of the charity evaluator sites, and if so, what is your ranking? (The usual sites are American Institute of Philanthropy, Better Business Bureau, Charity Navigator, as well as Forbes magazine and Worth magazine.) If not, can you say what percent of budget is spent on programs and what is spent on fundraising and other non-program costs?

Keep in mind your own interests as a donor. If you want to support immediate relief (i.e., water purification, food), girls and women’s issues, housing, employment, or restoration of the environment, you have the right to feel that your concerns matter. Find an organization whose work matches your interests and even, perhaps, your expertise. This will make you a better, more knowledgeable, more passionate donor who will likely create a better and more long-lasting relationship with the organization you choose.

In Disaster Grantmaking: A Practical Guide for Foundations and Corporations found on the Council on Foundations website, you will find eight principles for grantmakers who want to be effective in addressing disasters. The principles are quoted below:

 First, do no harm.

Stop, look and listen before taking action.

 Don’t act in isolation.

Think beyond the immediate crisis to the long-term.

 Bear in mind the expertise of local organizations.

 Find out how prospective grantees operate.

 Be accountable to those you are trying to help.

Communicate your work widely and use it as an educational tool.

Another useful guide, International Grantmaking: Opportunities for Small Foundations, is produced by the Association of Small Foundations.

For more information, please visit:
Grantmakers Without Borders



International Grantmaking: Guidelines for the Individual Donor was developed by Barbara Harman, Professor of English, Wellesley College Tsunami Relief Committee member, Executive Director of the Harman Family Foundation, and Editor of the Catalogue for Philanthropy: Greater Washington