Many WTHR viewers have asked how they can help the victims of Japan's March 12th earthquake and tsunami, which killed thousands and displaced hundreds of thousands of people. Use this list to get started.
The Japan-America Society is working to set up a relief fund.
Using your cell phone, you can text-message donations of $10 to the Red Cross. Text the letters REDCROSS to 90999 to make the $10 donation, or visit the organization's web site.
The International Medical Corps is putting together relief teams, as well as supplies. The organization is in "contact with partners in Japan and other affected countries to assess needs and coordinate our activities," said Nancy Aossey, IMC president, on its web site. You can donate here.
Save the Children is accepting donations for its Children's Emergency Fund. "We are extremely concerned for the welfare of children and their families who have been affected by the disaster. We stand ready to meet the needs of children who are always the most vulnerable in a disaster,' said Eiichi Sadamatsu of the organization in a statement.
GlobalGiving, based in Washington, D.C., is providing relief and emergency services to victims of the earthquake and tsunami.
The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is connecting with faith partners in Asia to assess damages and needs resulting from the powerful 8.9-magnitude earthquake and 33-foot-high tsunami that hit Japan today. UMCOR head, the Rev. Cynthia Fierro Harvey, urged prayers for those affected by the disaster. She said that as needs become clarified, UMCOR will respond. Online donations for Pacific Emergency can be made here. One-hundred percent of all gifts given will go for Pacific Emergency disaster relief.
Kingsway Christian Church - Support/give relief to Japan through Kingsway Christian Church (Avon)
Mustard Seed Global Fellowship - donate
The Salvation Army is sending a team to Sendai, the most heavily damaged city in Japan, to provide basic necessities. Text the word Japan to 80888 to make a $10 donation to support its relief efforts.
Church World Service is providing emergency relief to 25,000 people now living at 100 evacuation sites in the northeast area of Japan. They are focusing on evacuation sites where basic needs of food, water, sanitation, electricity and fuel are not being met. The CWS response will include ready-to-eat food, sanitation kits, including napkins and soap to fill significant sanitation and hygiene gaps. Text CWS to 50555 to donate $10, visit their website or call 212-870-2061.
World Vision is mobilizing supplies and programs in response to the devastating effects of the March 11, 2011, 9.0-magnitude earthquake and massive tsunami that pounded areas of Japan and left hundreds of thousands dead, missing, or displaced. Donate online at www.worldvision.org or call 253-815-1000.
During the coming weeks, Oxfam Japan will channel resources to local organizations that can connect vulnerable groups with the assistance they need. Oxfam America is accepting funds for those efforts. Donate online at www.oxfamamerica.org or call 800-776-9326.
Search Dog Foundation is forming 21 new Canine Disaster Search Teams in 2011 to meet the critical demand for this life-saving resource, at a cost of $15,000 per Canine-Firefighter team. A secure online donation to turn a rescued dog into a rescuer, help form our 21 new teams in 2011, and provide the highest level of training and support to existing teams can be made at http://www.searchdogfoundation.org/98/html/index.html.
The International Rescue Committee is supporting the relief efforts of Japanese aid groups assisting survivors of Friday's powerful earthquake and tsunami in ravaged northeastern Japan. Call 212-551-3000 or visit www.theIRC.org to make a donation.
Global Giving will disburse funds to organizations providing relief and emergency services to victims of the earthquake and tsunami. GlobalGiving is working with International Medical Corps, Save the Children, and other organizations on the ground. To donate, call 202-232-5784 or visit www.globalgiving.org.
Direct Relief International is working in close collaboration with governmental and nongovernmental responders to offer medical aid and assistance in Japan. Donate online at www.directrelief.org or call 805-964-4767.
A note from Indiana's attorney general:
The shocking images of today's massive earthquake and tsunami in Japan may prompt generous Hoosiers to donate to disaster relief efforts to help the victims. Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller urges the public to verify before donating that relief organizations are reputable, so that they aren't scammed. He suggests researching the Charity Navigator to check whether a charity uses donations for intended purposes.
Tips for donating:
· Make donations to established organizations with a strong track record of organizing and providing disaster relief.
· Initiate the donation yourself, rather than responding to online or phone solicitations.
· Use the web site Charity Navigator to assist in identifying relief organizations and determining how much of their donations are used to help victims rather than on administrative overhead.
· To confirm an online donation site is secure so that your financial information won't be improperly accessed during the transaction, look for "https" in the organization's web site.
About Charities
Under Indiana law, a professional solicitor who is hired to solicit contributions for a charitable organization must register with the Attorney General's Office a copy of its contract with the charitable organization. Additionally, professional solicitors are required to submit campaign financial data to the Attorney General's Office after the end of each solicitation campaign, and after the anniversary of the start of a solicitation campaign lasting more than one year.
In order to help you make informed decisions on charitable giving, the Attorney General's Office has compiled the following charts based on information provided to our office by professional solicitors:
Current Charitable Solicitations Campaign Chart
This chart lists all of the current charitable solicitation campaigns involving a paid professional solicitor. For each solicitation campaign, the chart lists the name of the charitable organization, the name of the professional fundraiser, the city and state where the charitable organization is headquartered, and the start and end dates of the solicitation campaign.
Charitable Solicitations Campaign Financial Chart
The campaign financial chart provides financial information on charitable solicitation campaigns involving a paid professional solicitor. The amounts listed on the chart include the total amount of money raised, the total amount of money received by the solicitor, and the total amount of money retained by the charity. The chart lists financial data for solicitation campaign reporting periods that ended after December 31, 2003. Please note, the chart includes data from national campaigns as well as data from campaigns that were confined solely to Indiana.
More information on this chart
Learn more
What to Know About Paid Fundraisers
The Attorney General's Office enforces the Professional Fundraiser Consultant and Solicitor Registration Act. This Act requires all professional fundraiser consultants and solicitors to register with the Attorney General's Office prior to beginning a fundraising campaign. A professional solicitor solicits contributions for, or on behalf of, a charitable organization. A professional fundraiser consultant is hired to plan, manage, advise, or act as a consultant in connection with soliciting contributions for, or on behalf of, a charitable organization. Unlike a professional solicitor, the professional fundraiser consultant does not actually solicit contributions. A charitable organization that solicits on its own behalf does not have to register with the Attorney General's Office.
Professional Solicitors
Many charitable organizations use professional solicitors to raise money on their behalf. The fact that a charity uses a paid solicitor does not mean you should not contribute to the charity. However, it is something for you to take into account when you are considering making a donation.
Professional solicitors usually either keep a percentage of the money they collect on behalf of the charity or receive a set amount of money from the charity. In many cases, the percentage of the total gross amount of money the charitable organization keeps is low.
Before engaging in a fundraising solicitation campaign with a charity, Indiana law requires professional solicitors provide the Attorney General's Office with information about the fundraising campaign, including the percentage of the gross contributions or revenue the charitable organization will receive. Indiana law also requires professional solicitors to disclose the following information to a consumer at the time of the solicitation and before the consumer agrees to make a contribution:
(1) The name and, upon request, the address of the charitable organization that is being represented;
(2) The fact the person soliciting the contribution is, or is employed by, a professional solicitor, and the fact the professional solicitor is compensated;
(3) The full name of the professional solicitor and, upon request, the telephone number the person being solicited can call to confirm the information provided; and
(4) The charitable purpose for which the funds are being raised.
If a professional solicitor solicits in writing or in person, the disclosures required by (1) and (2) shall be in writing. If a solicitor solicits by telephone, the disclosures required by (1) and (2) shall be made verbally. Additionally, any written confirmation the professional solicitor mails to consumers must also contain the disclosures required by (1) and (2).
Anytime you are solicited for a donation, ask the caller if they are working for a paid solicitor. If the caller is working for a solicitor, tell the caller you want to know the percentage of gross revenue the charity will retain after the professional solicitor has been paid and all other expenses of the fundraising campaign have been paid. If the caller tells you the charity will retain all of the funds raised, the caller is not being honest with you. If all of the funds were truly going to the charity that would mean the professional solicitor will not receive any money at all, which is highly unlikely.
Helpful Tips for Charitable Giving:
Always pay by check, not by cash. Always make contributions by check and make the check payable to the charitable organization, not to the solicitor. Beware of solicitors who want to send couriers to your home to pick up your donation. Indiana law does not allow solicitors to collect or attempt to collect a contribution in person or by courier unless the solicitation is made in person and the collection or attempt to collect is made at the time of the solicitation; or the contributor has agreed to purchase goods or items in connection with the solicitation, and the collection or attempt to collect is made at the time of delivery of the goods or items.
Don't be pressured into making a contribution. Ask the caller for written information on the charitable organization, including the charity's name, address, and telephone number. A professional solicitor or charity should be willing to send you materials outlining the charity's purpose and how your donation will be used. You should check out the charity with some of the independent organizations that provide information on charities.
Watch out for charities with similar sounding names. Some charitable organizations use names that are very similar to those of respected organizations. You should check with some of the independent organizations that provide information on charities to make sure you are donating to the correct charity.
Beware of callers who claim endorsement by the state. Under Indiana law, a person who solicits charitable contributions may not use the fact of registration as an endorsement by the State of Indiana .
Be suspicious if a caller thanks you for making a pledge that you didn't make. If you have any doubt about whether you made a pledge, check your records. Beware of invoices claiming you've made a pledge when you know you have not.
You can cancel a pledge prior to making a contribution. Under Indiana law, a contributor has the right to cancel a pledge for monetary contributions at any time prior to making the contribution.
