Direct Relief International Named one of Best U.S. Charities

Direct Relief International
Saturday, 1 December 2001

International Medical Relief Organization is Largest in California

Direct Relief International has been included in The Chronicle of Philanthropy's annual list of the top 400 charities ranked by amount of private support raised in the past year. Direct Relief International raised $80,044,190 in private support, included in their $80,635,963 of total support from all sources raised during the fiscal year 2000. Direct Relief International ranked number 165 overall, and ranked 17 of 41 organizations in the International category.

Direct Relief International is the largest International assistance organization in California, in terms of private support, according to information provided in the Philanthropy 400 rankings, published in the Chronicle's November 1, 2001 edition. Direct Relief International was among only 27 organizations of 400 listed whose overall fund-raising expenses were 0.3 percent or lower of total support raised. Fund-raising expenses for the Philanthropy 400 range from below 0.01 up to 25.8 percent of total income, and below 0.01 up to 46 percent of income from private support. Cash and in-kind gifts from individuals, foundations, and corporations are included in the private support total that is used to determine an organization's rank on the list, which also includes many leading universities. Total private support for individual organizations on the Philanthropy 400 list range from approximately $35 million to $1.4 billion.

"Our comparative ranking was a pleasant surprise." said Thomas Tighe, President of Direct Relief International. "Historically, we have been ranked highly in comparisons that look at percentages of fundraising and administration expenses, because we are very lean. The Philanthropy 400 list reflects the expanded support we've received, that has enabled us to expand our assistance program to people who need it."

The Chronicle of Philanthropy is the leading source of news for and about philanthropic issues and publishes the Philanthropy 400 each November. The rankings show how successful charities are at attracting private support and provide information on each charity's fund-raising costs and program expenditures. The rankings reflect private support only and do not reflect any moneys provided by government or service fees which some organization charge for programs.

Of the $80 million raised through private support in 2000, Direct Relief supplied 53 countries with more than $67 million in wholesale value of medical donations – enough material to serve 9.7 million people. Direct Relief responded to a number of new emergency situations and continued relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Mitch, flooding in Venezuela, and earthquakes in Turkey. In addition, Direct Relief significantly expanded efforts to help people in the developing world by strengthening local health facilities and programs through material assistance of critically needed medical supplies. In 2000, Direct Relief served countries in the following regions: Latin America and the Caribbean, Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Eastern Europe, Russia and the New Independent States (of the former Soviet Union), and the Middle East, including rehabilitation after the major earthquakes in Turkey in 1999. Direct Relief also serves people in the United States, with special focus on the health of low-income seniors and children, and emergency preparedness programs for schools.

As of November 2001, Direct Relief International has already served over 7,000,000 people in 56 countries, with pharmaceutical products, medical supplies and equipment totaling more than $72 million in wholesale value. Direct Relief International supports indigenous health professionals, facilities, and projects throughout the developing world in response to disasters and on an ongoing basis.

Countries served so far this year include Brazil, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Estonia, Ghana, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Liberia, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Uganda. In India, Direct Relief also continues to provide sustaining medical relief to health care facilities in the aftermath of the major earthquake. On a local community level, Direct Relief is spearheading a model Preparedness Response and Emergency Program for Santa Barbara schools and neighborhoods.

"The current economic conditions make fundraising an even greater challenge for non-profits," Tighe said. "Moreover, the Sept. 11th tragedy has thrust non-profits, and their internal decision-making and finances, into the spotlight. For Direct Relief International, because many people have not heard of us, inclusion in the 'Philanthropy 400' with very low fundraising expenses is very helpful to communicate with the public."

Since September 11th, Direct Relief has responded to the immediate U.S. and international needs. Direct Relief has just sent its 9th shipment of basic medical supplies to Pakistan, for the more than one million Afghans who are now living in border refugee camps. In the U.S., Direct Relief responded immediately after the attacks by offering supplies for on-site emergency workers and by establishing a fund for victims and surviving family members of attacks in New York and Washington, D.C. which has already raised over $200,000 with 100 percent of funds being allocated for direct assistance to victims.

Founded in 1948, Direct Relief International is a non-profit, non-sectarian medical relief organization based in Santa Barbara, California. For over 50 years, Direct Relief has provided medical support with new and used medical equipment, pharmaceuticals, and supplies to over 3,000 charitable health facilities worldwide.

For more information, or to contact Direct Relief International, see their website at: www.directrelief.org