For those looking to donate money (or time) to organizations that might help victims of Hurricane Gustav, here is a list of charities that dealt with both Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita (and don’t spend too much of their receipts on fundraising).
A year ago the American Institute of Philanthropy (AIP) rated the best charities dealing with these two storms:
THE BEST WAY TO HELP VICTIMS OF HURRICANES KATRINA AND RITA
Updated August 27, 2007
The American Institute of Philanthropy (AIP) announces its top-rated charities currently offering services to the victims of the 2005 Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in the Southeast U.S. Hurricane Katrina devastated major cities along the Gulf coast, including New Orleans, Biloxi and Mobile, with strong winds up to 140 mph in some areas and flooding. Not long afterwards, Hurricane Rita severely damaged small coastal communities including Lake Charles and Holly Beach in Louisiana and Port Arthur and Beaumont in southeast Texas.
. . . AIP, a leading charity watchdog that issues letter grade (A+ to F) ratings of nonprofit groups, identifies the following relief charities, which are providing aid to the victims. These charities have received an “A” . . . grade based on the portion of their budget going to program services and their fundraising efficiency.
Charities with a “*” have announced plans to provide aid to victims of Hurricane Rita.*American Red Cross (A-)
1-800-435-7669
*AmeriCares (A)
1-800-486-4357
1-800-771-2303
*Church World Service (A)
1-800-297-1516
*Direct Relief International (A)
1-805-964-4767
*MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger (A)
1-310-442-0020
*Mercy Corps (A)
1-800-292-3355
*Salvation Army (A)
1-800-725-2769
*Save the Children (A)
1-800-728-3843
*World Vision (A-)
1-888-511-6598