2006.08.29: August 29, 2006: Headlines: Figures: COS - Thailand: NGOs: Staff: Chief of Staff: Associated Baptist Press: Thomas Tighe's Direct Relief International received one of Charity Navigator's highest ratings for financial health and efficiency

Peace Corps Online: Directory: Thailand: Special Report: Direct Relief International Head Thomas Tighe: February 9, 2005: Index: PCOL Exclusive: RPCV Thomas Tighe (Thailand) : 2006.08.29: August 29, 2006: Headlines: Figures: COS - Thailand: NGOs: Staff: Chief of Staff: Associated Baptist Press: Thomas Tighe's Direct Relief International received one of Charity Navigator's highest ratings for financial health and efficiency

By Admin1 (admin) (ppp-70-251-54-81.dsl.okcyok.swbell.net - 70.251.54.81) on Saturday, September 02, 2006 - 5:13 pm: Edit Post

Thomas Tighe's Direct Relief International received one of Charity Navigator's highest ratings for financial health and efficiency

Thomas Tighe's Direct Relief International received one of Charity Navigator's highest ratings for financial health and efficiency

Direct Relief International received one of Charity Navigator's highest ratings for financial health and efficiency. Based in Santa Barbara, Calif., the long-established organization is a non-political and non-sectarian organization that gives to health programs in poor areas around the world. "Many groups emerged post-Katrina that didn’t have the same focus, experience, methodology or priorities as established disaster-relief charities, Miniutti said. That meant well-meaning donors sometimes gave money that wasn’t used responsibly or efficiently." Thomas Tighe, the head of Direct Relief International, was formerly the Chief of Staff of the Peace Corps and served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Thailand.

Thomas Tighe's Direct Relief International received one of Charity Navigator's highest ratings for financial health and efficiency

Inexperienced charities complicated post-Katrina relief, watchdog says

By Hannah Elliott

Published August 29, 2006


NEW ORLEANS (ABP) -- Although Hurricane Katrina inspired an unprecedented relief response, some of the groups who answered the call were inexperienced and ineffective, according to a charity watchdog group.

The deluge of new and inexperienced charities that responded to Katrina complicated the relief picture, said Sandra Miniutti, director of external relations for the New Jersey-based Charity Navigator.

“The biggest concern that we had was that there were too many groups holding their hands out with no experience in this type of work,” she said. “I think that’s a big concern. Also, for the groups that popped up, the brand new charities, to take on a disaster of this scope, it’s almost impossible to be effective.”

Many groups emerged post-Katrina that didn’t have the same focus, experience, methodology or priorities as established disaster-relief charities, Miniutti said. That meant well-meaning donors sometimes gave money that wasn’t used responsibly or efficiently.

“The response was complicated by the compelling nature of the disaster,” said Richard Walden, president and CEO of Operation USA, at a roundtable discussion hosted by Charity Navigator. The storm attracted most of America's "brand name" relief groups, Walden said. “It also attracted America's brand-name religious organizations. And, too, America's brand-name televangelists like Pat Robertson, Franklin Graham and Larry Jones.”

“I think that religious organizations have done a great job of tapping into a base of volunteers over the country,” Miniutti said. That efficiency impressed the American Red Cross, which indicated it probably will partner with more religious groups in the future, she added.

Charity Navigator listed 35 groups as the top-rated nonprofits assisting Hurricane Katrina victims. In addition to the American Red Cross, the charities included World Vision, Desire Street Ministries, Islamic Relief and the Christian Relief Fund.

Among them:

[Excerpt]

-- Direct Relief International received one of Charity Navigator's highest ratings for financial health and efficiency. Based in Santa Barbara, Calif., the long-established organization is a non-political and non-sectarian organization that gives to health programs in poor areas around the world.

Direct Relief raised more than $4.5 million for work with Katrina victims and partnered with clinics in the Gulf States by joining with national associations of community health centers. According to the report, Direct Relief gave $26.7 million in wholesale medical materials. It also maintains wholesale pharmacy licenses in Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas, so it can make pharmaceutical donations to clinics and health facilities still in need.





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Story Source: Associated Baptist Press

This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; Figures; COS - Thailand; NGOs; Staff; Chief of Staff

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