Philanthropic Response(s) to Katrina

Right now, there is a flurry of philanthropic chatter -- mostly well intentioned -- on the web regarding Katrina. While governments are the main mode of actions, Americans - and even their governments - continue to rely on civil society organizations such as foundations and relief organizations to both express their will to help, their need to 'do something,' and to meet real needs on the ground. Even at this early date, President Bush has called on his father and President Clinton (the one man 'NGO' himself) to bring in private funding!

Certainly philanthropy -- both individual and institutional -- will have a role to play in short-term relief, mid-term recovery, and long-term rebuilding. This will encompass everything along the continuum of philanthropy: from self-help to mutual aid, from charity, and community building, to long-term institution building, cultural creation and social change. Let us hope, at least.

For those interested in the foundation community's responses, the Southeastern Council on Foundations is seeking out colleagues, and providing giving information. Visit http://www.secf.org.

The NC-based Babcock Foundation, one of the few progressive, regional foundations in the South, sent out an email listing the following organizations:

Enterprise Corporation of the Delta:

ECD is a strong CDFI based in Jackson, with credit union branches in New Orleans and Gulfport. It has set up a Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund for anyone willing and able to make a contribution to help the region recover. ECD will coordinate its lending and relief efforts with the Red Cross, state and municipal governments, and others. If you would like to make a contribution, please send your check to:

Enterprise Corporation of the Delta
c/o Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund
222 North President Street, Suite 220
Jackson, MS 39201

You can contact ECD at (601) 944-1100 or you can go to their website for more information (www.ecd.org).

Louisiana ACORN

Louisiana ACORN is a statewide community organizing group with local members throughout LA. It is affiliated with the national ACORN org. Anyone who wishes to make a contribution, send in your donation to:

ACORN Hurricane Recovery & Rebuilding Fund

739 8^th Street SE
Washington, DC 20003

You can also make an online contribution at www.acorn.org.

Southern Mutual Help Association, Inc.

Southern Mutual Help Association in New Iberia, LA has an urgent call out to any organizations and donors that can assist them with helping the survivors of Hurricane Katrina. SMHA has a solid track record of working with rural people and communities in Southern LA. Please contact Lorna Bourg, smha@southernmutualhelp.org or by phone (337) 367-3277, with any assistance or contributions.

Gulf Coast Community Foundation

The Gulf Coast Community Foundation in Biloxi, MS will have a mailing address to receive contributions. In the meantime, they are using the facilities of www.networkforgood.org. Just type in Gulf Coast Community Foundation and Mississippi.

Greater New Orleans Foundation

The Greater New Orleans Foundation has established a fund to receive on-line contributions for hurricane relief in that community. Go to the foundation's website (www.gnof.org) and click on Hurricane Katrina Recovery Fund.

Baton Rouge Area Foundation

The Hurricane Katrina Displaced Residents Fund ? will benefit those individuals evacuated to Baton Rouge from the hurricane impacted areas in Greater New Orleans, who are now unable to return for what maybe an extended period.

The Hurricane Katrina New Orleans Recovery Fund ? will focus on the rebuilding of infrastructure to provide basic human services to residents of these devastated areas. If you would like to make a contribution, please send your check to:

Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund
402 N. 4^th Street
Baton Rouge, LA 70802

You can also make an online contribution at http://www.braf.org and click on Hurricane Katrina Relief Page link.