[Update] HOW TO DONATE WISELY

GiveWell is a website that performs charity research,
and their advice:

We believe that

• Those affected have requested very little, limited aid. Aid being offered far exceeds aid being requested. (Details below.)
• Charities are aggressively soliciting donations, often in ways we feel are misleading (more on this in future posts).
• Any donation you make will probably be used (a) by the charity you give it to, for activities in a different country; (b) for non-disaster-relief-and-recovery efforts in Japan.
• If you’re looking to pursue (a) and help people in need all over the world, we recommend giving to the best charity you can, rather than basing your giving on who is appealing to you most aggressively with images and language regarding Japan.
• If you prefer (b), a gift to the Japanese Red Cross seems reasonable.

PHOTO: Each image is offered as a limited edition of 10 prints.The project aids Doctors Without Borders.











 

Overall, though, a gift to Doctors Without Borders seems to us like the best way to effectively “respond to this disaster”.

We feel they are a leader in transparency, honesty and integrity in relief organizations, and the fact that they’re not soliciting funds for Japan is a testament to this. Rewarding Doctors Without Borders is a move toward improving incentives and improving disaster relief in general.

GiveWell goes on to give evidence supporting their recommendations at the same link.

HOW TO DONATE WISELY

There have been many articles written on this subject,

so I'll just reiterate the most salient points.

1. Send money, not stuff - It makes it much easier to get what is needed where it's needed as quickly as possible.

2. Give to organizations that are already mobilized, and find a nonprofit you trust - This helps ensure your gift will touch those who need it as quickly and effectively as possible.

3. Give a non-earmarked or restricted gift - Nonprofits are most effective if they can choose how they spend their money, and money does not go unused in one place while there is still need in another.

4. Waiting for a while is not wrong - It takes some time for charities to figure out how best to respond, and rebuilding will be a long process, so your donations will likely be needed for a long time to come.

SOME CHOICES:

(in addition to those I've already posted)

You can donate directly to 

THE RED CROSS or SAVE THE CHILDREN In Japan, Via THIS LINK.

The Chronicle of Philanthropy, has a long list of organizations that are actively working on the relief effort at this time, including:

- - Doctors Without Borders.

- - Helping Hand (USA) For Relief and Development.

- - Shelter Box.

- - Project HOPE.

- - National Disaster Search Dog Foundation.

- - K.I.D.S.

- - Medical Teams International.

- - Mercy Corps.

I am only one, but I am one.  

I cannot do everything, but I can do something.  

And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do. 

~ Edward Everett Hale.