Foundations, Where Art Thou?
posted on: Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Rural Louisiana left wondering after Ike and Gustav wreaks havoc
By Yna Moore
It’s been almost two weeks since Hurricanes Ike and Gustav battered the rural coastal parishes of Louisiana and most of the foundation world seems not to take notice.
True, Gustav and Ike were not the monster storms that Hurricanes Katrina and Rita were in 2005. Perhaps there’s an assumption that the need for disaster assistance is less. Nothing can be farther from the truth.
Rural Louisiana is home to many low-income families who lost homes and livelihoods, which are mostly farming, fishing and small family businesses, in the wake of Katrina and Rita. The area was still in the midst of rebuilding when the two recent hurricanes struck the area.
The effect of these hurricanes brings home one sad fact—disasters disproportionately affect the poor: those that can’t afford land; those that have nowhere else to go and no one else to turn to; those that rely on the help of others to survive; those that have no money to tackle on their own the daunting task of rebuilding.
Sister Helen Vinton, assistant executive director of the Southern Mutual Help Association and NCRP board member, informed us that the country’s foundations are largely absent in responding to the pleas for help from Louisiana’s rural communities despite great need.
So to foundations across the country, big and small: they need your help! This is your chance to have an impact on the lives of thousands of Americans struggling to rebuild and recover from these natural disasters. There are many nonprofit organizations in the frontlines that will put your foundation’s dollars to good and worthwhile use. Will you take heed?
Do you know of foundations who are responding to the needs of rural areas affected by Hurricanes Gustav and Ike? How can the country’s foundations best help relief and recovery efforts? Please, tell us about it!
Kristina “Yna” Moore is communications director at the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy (NCRP).Labels: Philanthropy's role in society, Rural Philanthropy, Social justice philanthropy
By Yna Moore
It’s been almost two weeks since Hurricanes Ike and Gustav battered the rural coastal parishes of Louisiana and most of the foundation world seems not to take notice.
True, Gustav and Ike were not the monster storms that Hurricanes Katrina and Rita were in 2005. Perhaps there’s an assumption that the need for disaster assistance is less. Nothing can be farther from the truth.
Rural Louisiana is home to many low-income families who lost homes and livelihoods, which are mostly farming, fishing and small family businesses, in the wake of Katrina and Rita. The area was still in the midst of rebuilding when the two recent hurricanes struck the area.
The effect of these hurricanes brings home one sad fact—disasters disproportionately affect the poor: those that can’t afford land; those that have nowhere else to go and no one else to turn to; those that rely on the help of others to survive; those that have no money to tackle on their own the daunting task of rebuilding.
Sister Helen Vinton, assistant executive director of the Southern Mutual Help Association and NCRP board member, informed us that the country’s foundations are largely absent in responding to the pleas for help from Louisiana’s rural communities despite great need.
So to foundations across the country, big and small: they need your help! This is your chance to have an impact on the lives of thousands of Americans struggling to rebuild and recover from these natural disasters. There are many nonprofit organizations in the frontlines that will put your foundation’s dollars to good and worthwhile use. Will you take heed?
Do you know of foundations who are responding to the needs of rural areas affected by Hurricanes Gustav and Ike? How can the country’s foundations best help relief and recovery efforts? Please, tell us about it!
Kristina “Yna” Moore is communications director at the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy (NCRP).
Labels: Philanthropy's role in society, Rural Philanthropy, Social justice philanthropy
posted by NCRP at
4:59 PM
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