Boston Foundation Donates More Than $100,000 for Tsunami Relief

January 6, 2005

Boston -- The Boston Foundation has sent more than $100,000 in funds for tsunami relief efforts as of the end of this week, following the devastating earthquake of December 26th. In addition, the staff of the Foundation gathered and examined information about the various relief programs and posted its recommendations for making donations on its website. This information is also being distributed to all of the donors and professional advisors that work with the Foundation.

“In the face of this staggering disaster, there is an overwhelming need in at least a dozen countries to remove debris, curb infectious disease outbreaks, and to meet the massive food, clothing and housing needs of millions of survivors,” said Paul S. Grogan, President and CEO of The Boston Foundation. “While some have said that raising money may be the easy part, given the logistical problems of coordinating among so many groups and so much money, that cannot dampen our response. I urge everyone to join the outpouring of efforts to help rebuild these communities.”

The tsunami relief donations are drawn from donor advised funds held at the Boston Foundation. The Foundation is not making grants from its own Community Fund because these funds are, for the most part, restricted for use in Greater Boston. However, the Foundation is urging the advisors of funds here or at other local foundations that operate without these restrictions to consider making donations towards this effort.

Recommended Relief Programs

The International Red Cross - donations should be earmarked for the “International Response Fund” and can be made online ;
Oxfam America - Based in Boston, this organization is playing a lead role in providing water and sanitation to prevent additional deaths through their humanitarian response team. Information on donations can be found at their website ;
Information on fundraising spearheaded by former Presidents Bush and Clinton ;
General information regarding disaster relief grantmaking is provided by the Council on Foundations ;
Up to date information on South Asia and the relief efforts there can be found via the Asia Society in NYC at or from the US government.

Most major aid organizations are on the ground and have emergency relief activities that need support. Contact any of the following organizations for more information:

CARE: www.careusa.org
US Fund for UNICEF: www.unicefusa.org
AmeriCares: www.americares.org
Save the Children USA: www.savethechildren.org
American Friends Service Committee: www.afsc.org
Catholic Relief Services: www.catholicreleif.org
American Jewish World Service: www.ajws.org
Episcopal Relief and Development: www.er-d.org
Unitarian Universalist Service Committee: www.uusc.org

For additional information on making tsunami-related grants, contact Philanthropic and Donor Services at the Boston Foundation at 617-338-2686.

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The Boston Foundation, one of the nation’s oldest and largest community foundations, has an endowment of almost $650 million, made grants of $48 million to nonprofit organizations, and received gifts of $38 million last year. The Boston Foundation is made up of 750 separate charitable funds, which have been established by donors either for the general benefit of the community or for special purposes. The Boston Foundation also serves as a civic leader, convener, and sponsor of special initiatives designed to build community. For more information about the Boston Foundation and its grant making, visit www.tbf.org , or call 617-338-1700.

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