Read a summary of the September 26 meeting convened by IS and the Foundation for the Mid South that brought together 65 leaders to discuss hurricane relief and recovery. Please share how your organization, partners, and grantees are responding to the hurricane by emailing memberalert@IndependentSector.org or contacting our communications team at 202-467-6100.

Hurricane Katrina has killed hundreds of people and left millions without power, shelter, or food. With flood waters lingering and the total impact of Katrina still unclear, charitable organizations across the country have mobilized to reach those in need.

Independent Sector members are among the organizations organizing assistance:

The Advertising Council has joined with the American Red Cross to launch a series of national public service advertisements. The new television, radio and Internet PSAs direct Americans to visit www.redcross.org, w here they can donate to the American Red Cross and aid in disaster relief.

Altria plans to contribute more than $5 million to the hurricane relief effort, including employee matching gifts. Some of its grants include $1 million to the Red Cross, $1 million to the Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund, and $700,000 in Kraft products.

American Association of Museums, working with the Atlanta-based Southeastern Museums Conference, has established a Web-based information center providing the latest information on museums affected and recovery information. The Hurricane Katrina Fund, coordinated by SEMC, is now accepting funds for museums that suffered damage or loss.

American Cancer Society, American Diabetes Society, and American Heart Association will jointly contribute $1 million to the Bush Clinton Katrina Fund to help get hospitals, healthcare systems, and patient support services in the devastated areas up and running.

Americans for the Arts established an Emergency Relief Fund that has so far distributed $100,000 in grants to local arts agencies and organizations. 

American Institute of Philanthropy has posted on its website a list of top-rated groups involved in relief efforts in an effort to assure donors that the majority of any donation made to these groups will go towards helping the hurricane victims.

The American Red Cross has launched the largest response to a single, natural disaster in the 125-year history of the organization. It already has volunteers staffing shelters in Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas, and is sending nearly 2,000 more volunteers into the area, as well as more than 250 vehicles to provide food and water to affected residents.

The Red Cross is also providing a Family Link Registry to help people connect with missing loved ones.

American Symphony Orchestra League is providing online information about the status of orchestras and musicians in the wake of the Hurricane Katrina. Its site includes reports from Gulf Coast orchestras, information regarding displaced musicians, and descriptions of benefit concerts and other efforts planned by orchestras across the country. The League has also established a Gulf Coast Orchestra Relief Fund to help support those orchestras most affected.

Association of Jewish Family and Children's Agencies is coordinating both housing offers from the Jewish community and efforts to provide social work assistance to the affected areas through its members and volunteers. AJFCA is also raising money for hurricane relief through its own Emergency Fund, which will benefit agencies severely impacted by the hurricane. One hundred percent of funds raised will be used for direct service.

Association of Performing Arts Presenters are encouraging its members to donate to the Red Cross. APAP’s website also has information about relief efforts, a list of organizations to which to donate, and links to performing arts related sources.

AT&T has donated 35,000 prepaid calling cards to the Salvation Army and American Red Cross and toll-free long distance calling from 1,000 phones in the Houston Astrodome. It has established the AT&T Pioneer Disaster Relief Fund for employees and retirees affected by the hurricane; the AT&T Foundation granted $1 million, and up to $500,000 in employee matching gifts, to the American Red Cross; and donated $100,000 to American Idol Live! Concert to aid victims.

Bank of America has announced a $1million grant to help victims of Hurricane Katrina, including $500,000 to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund and $100,000 to the Houston Food Bank. The bank will also match employee pledges through its Matching Gifts program and will accept public donations to the American Red Cross. In addition, the bank has started programs to help customers affected by Katrina.

BBB Wise Giving Alliance has released tips for giving to organizations involved in hurricane relief. BBB Wise Giving is also encouraging people to look on its website for detailed evaluations about many of the relief organizations involved in Katrina’s cleanup.

Big Brothers Big Sisters has formed the Katrina Task Force to help facilitate communication, distribute resources, and serve both communities directly impacted by the hurricane and those serving displaced children and their families.  It has also established a fund to help affected BBBS agencies rebuild their facilities and to support other agencies serving displaced children.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation has donated a total of $1 million in cash to the relief effort. Also, Mead Johnson Nutritionals has shipped infant formula totaling more than $500,000 in value and is working with relief agencies to meet additional needs. The company continues to work with relief agencies to arrange donation and distribution of Bristol-Myers Squibb medicines. Also, the company will match employee donations to the Red Cross matched dollar-for-dollar.

The Bruderhof Foundation is air lifting skids of bottled water to several sites in the Gulf Coast. In seven locations in New York and Pennsylvania the foundation is offering eight to ten families housing, food, private schooling, and work to help families re-establish their lives.

CASA has volunteers in the areas affected by the hurricane providing counseling at shelters, bringing supplies, supervising children, and helping connect them to social services , including notifying relocated child welfare personnel of the whereabouts of foster children. In neighboring states, staff and volunteers are coordinating offers of housing for foster children who are homeless, and volunteers have been housing families.

Catholic Charities USA, which focuses on long-term recovery work, is prepared to send volunteers to work with local Catholic Charities to help with the relief efforts. It is currently helping Florida residents clean up from Katrina’s impact there last week and is providing supplies such as food and baby items and assistance with shelter, rent, and mental health counseling.

The CDC Foundation is collecting funds to provide resources for CDC and other public health teams. Donations to its Emergency Preparedness & Response Fund will enable CDC and its state and local partners to obtain equipment, supplies and services that are not readily available or that are difficult for governments to purchase quickly.

Chevron Corporation has committed $5 million to support recovery efforts in Gulf Coast communities. The contribution includes $3 million to the American Red Cross for relief efforts in Louisiana, Mississippi, and other affected areas and $2 million to go to local charities and relief efforts near Chevron operations in affected states.

The Cleveland Foundation has made a grant of $50,000 to the Baton Rouge Area Foundation for Katrina relief support.

The Coca-Cola system is donating $5 million to support hurricane relief and employees in the affected areas. All system employees affected by Hurricane Katrina will be eligible to apply for assistance through this fund to satisfy needs such as housing, food, and transportation. Coca-Cola is also now collecting in the Atlanta area for other necessities, such as diapers, new children's clothing, toiletries and new clothing for adults.

The Council on Foundations has created resources to assist those interested in donating or in tracking the philanthropic response to the disaster, including links to charities and community foundations accepting donations and lists of known foundation and corporate donors, and the recipient of each grant. While many donations will help meet the immediate needs of these communities, such as water, food, and shelter, a number of the funds are also being established to meet the long-term needs of the affected area.

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation will make cystic fibrosis drugs available to all CF patients affected by Hurricane Katrina regardless of their ability to pay.

The DaimlerChrysler Corporation Fund, along with DaimlerChrysler Services, Mercedes-Benz USA, and Freightliner, announced a joint commitment of $1.1 million for emergency shelter, food, water, supplies and other critical assistance.

The Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability lists and links to 26 member agencies on its website that are active in the hurricane relief effort in the areas hardest hit in the Gulf Coast.

The Foundation for the Mid South has established the Hurricane Katrina Recovery and Restoration Fund to benefit those affected by the disaster and the forthcoming recovery efforts. 100% of the contributions made to the Fund will benefit nonprofits in the Mid South, particularly in southern Louisiana, the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and the Alabama Gulf Coast, that are rebuilding lives and communities disrupted by the hurricane.

Humanity First, USA is working with its volunteers and other relief agencies in the affected region to distribute supplies such as water, baby food, and ready to eat meals.

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has donated $1.5 million to the American Red Cross to help meet critical needs for food, water, and temporary shelter for the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

General Electric has donated $6 million to the Red Cross and has committed at least $10 million in medical devices, power generation equipment, water purification and other services as identified by federal relief authorities. GE employees and retirees have donated $2,100,000, which will be matched by the GE Foundation.

General Mills has pledged $1 million commitment, and will send product donations to the most heavily affected cities through America 's Harvest. In addition, the General Mills Foundation will contribute $1 million in relief aid, including up to $100,000 dedicated to matching contributions from General Mills employees and retirees.

Gifts In Kind International is providing donation management assistance to corporations, business associations, and transportation companies. They will assess the immediate need for products and, once confirmed, will post on their website; they will then seek donations from corporations and business partners.

The Gill Foundation and the Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado have announced a $1 million matching grant to the American Red Cross for Hurricane Katrina disaster relief efforts.

Girl Scouts of the USA has established the Girl Scout Emergency Hurricane Response Fund to support Girl Scout councils most affected by Hurricane Katrina.  All gifts to the fund will be matched, up to $100,000, by the Girl Scouts.  They are also collecting duffel bags, gift cards for national chain stores, and have established a relief team to support affected councils as they reestablish themselves to serve girls and their families.

Global Impact is listing on its website how its member charities that are helping in the area and to whom donations can be sent. Their members are providing a myriad of services, including needs assessment, debris clean-up, shelter, reconstruction of homes, resettlement, health care, water supply, sanitation, shelter, activities for children, family tracing, and sexual violence prevention.

GuideStar offers tips on giving to the hurricane relief effort. GuideStar is also encouraging organizations helping hurricane victims to register with their site and has reports on many organizations providing assistance to hurricane victims.

Hands On Network is supporting The Red Cross by coordinating groups of volunteers to serve in immediate response teams. Volunteers will perform a variety of functions to provide immediate basic needs and services to displaced individuals and families, including erecting temporary shelters (tent cities) and organizing support services (serving food, administering first aid, dispensing water, providing comfort, etc.).

Humanity First, USA is working with its volunteers and other relief agencies in the affected region to distribute supplies such as water, baby food, and ready to eat meals.

The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation has made $1 million in grants to help the residents of Biloxi and Harrison County, Mississippi, in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The $1 million in grants is made of two $500,000 grants -- one to the American Red Cross and one to the Salvation Army.

Levi Strauss and Co. and the Levi Strauss Foundation are donating $1.9 million for relief and $100,000 for longer-term needs, including $400,000 to the American Red Cross and other agencies working in the affected areas. The foundation will also donate $5.01 to the Red Cross for every hour of volunteer service by Levi Strauss employees on September 15, the company's annual Community Day. The Levi Strauss Signature brand has agreed to donate 100,000 items of clothing, valued at $1.5 million.

The Lilly Endowment has provided $10 million grants to the American Red Cross and to the Salvation Army to support those organizations as they supply food, shelter, and other assistance to hurricane victims.

Lutheran Services in America is raising money by and through its member organizations, channeled through Lutheran Disaster Response, a joint program of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.  LSA members are working to quickly relocate displaced persons, serve meals, provide shelter, and help plan for clean-up and reconstruction efforts.

March of Dimes is mobilizing its nationwide network of chapters and volunteers to meet the needs of sick and premature babies and pregnant women, including many evacuees, imperiled by Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath.

The McCormick Tribune Foundation Hurricane Katrina Relief Campaign has raised more than $3.2 million to date from more than 19,000 donors. Because the foundation has reached its goal of $2 million, it is no longer matching 50 cents on the dollar, but is still accepting donations.

The Meadows Foundation has awarded $50,000 to Goodwill Industries of Dallas and $100,000 to the Salvation Army of Dallas. Part of the grant to Goodwill Industries will be used as 2,000 vouchers distributed to buy clothes from Goodwill at a discount. The grant to the Salvation Army was used to help meet immediate needs for food over the Labor Day weekend.

National Association of Independent Schools is serving as a clearinghouse to coordinate relief efforts, such providing basic food, water, and shelter, and is helping displaced students find new schools in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama.

The National Society of Collegiate Scholars is coordinating "Operation Backpack: Hurricane Katrina Relief Effort,” a national initiative coordinated by its Louisiana State University chapter. NSCS is asking all its members and their families to purchase a backpack and fill it with items that elementary or college students need for school. It will distribute the backpacks to students affected by Hurricane Katrina who have been placed in schools in Baton Rouge or at LSU.

The Points of Light Foundation and Volunteer Center National Network have established a Disaster Recovery Fund, targeted to grow to $2 million, to aid Volunteer Center efforts in the recovery from Hurricane Katrina.

Prudential Financial plans to contribute more than $5 million to help victims of Hurricane Katrina.  It has announced a $3 million contribution to the relief efforts and has set up the PruCARES Disaster Relief Fund for employee contributions.  The Prudential Foundation will match all employee contributions to the fund and anticipates an additional $2 million will be raised through the fund.

The Salvation Army has convened more than 250 volunteers, employees, and officers to serve meals at approximately 100 mobile canteens in Louisiana and Alabama, and is able to serve up to 500,000 hot meals per day to residents and first responders. The organization has activated its Team Emergency Radio Network, allowing individuals to send inquiries into loved ones' health and welfare, and is making available Salvation Army ministers to provide emotional and pastoral support to victims.

Starlight Starbright Children's Foundation has launched Operation Send-A-Smile to accept donations to purchase and ship fun items, such as crayons, coloring books, stickers and sticker books, and stuffed animals, to the children affected by the hurricane.

Tides is collecting donations through the Rapid Response Fund for Hurricane Katrina Relief and Rebuilding. It expects the bulk of the funds to be used in support of the recovery of nonprofits that serve the Gulf states. Tides is also looking for ways to help undocumented immigrants and others who are often unaided by government and Red Cross-sponsored programs.

Time Warner has contributed a total of $4.5 million to relief efforts, funds that have come both from the company and its employees. Among the company's other efforts, its TBS network carried a one-hour fundraising special on September 9, and America Online is providing online and technical support to hurricane survivors and nonprofits, including dispatching satellite vans and trucks to provide wireless Internet services to refugees.

United Cerebral Palsy has established a hotline for United Cerebral Palsy of New Orleans, which was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. Concerned consumers, their families, employees, and volunteers can call (800) 872-5827 to receive information and leave messages about their personal status.

United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Houston, working with the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities and the local United Way, is planning to provide referrals and direct services to displaced families with special needs. Up to 100,000 displaced persons may arrive in Houston in the coming days.

United Jewish Communities has established a fund to provide humanitarian aid for members of the Jewish and general communities affected by Hurricane Katrina. UJC has also arranged for donations to the Hurricane Katrina relief fund to be sent to local Jewish federations.

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is offering on its website a clearinghouse of information for people interested in aiding Catholic relief efforts, including a list of Catholic charities accepting donations for victims of Hurricane Katrina and news stories on Catholic efforts nationwide.

United Way of America has established the 2005 Hurricane Katrina Response Fund. Funds will be allocated to front-line disaster relief efforts and long-term recovery needs as determined by local United Ways in affected areas.

VolunteerMatch is offering on its website a clearinghouse of information for individuals wishing to donate funds or volunteer to aid relief efforts in areas affected by Hurricane Katrina.

Volunteers of America is working with affiliates across the country to provide housing and support services to individuals affected by the hurricane, including organizing local faith-based groups in relief and recovery efforts. In addition, Volunteers of America Florida's medical and communications truck has arrived in Biloxi to provide communications assistance to the Veteran's hospital and medical assistance to victims.

Xerox Corporation has committed more than $2 million in financial and technical assistance to help the communities hit hardest, including $1.2 million to provide Xerox equipment, software, services, supplies, and technical support in Red Cross operations centers and shelters and $250,000 to Red Cross efforts in Alabama, Mississippi, and New Orleans.

YMCA of the USA is collaborating with other agencies to provide child care, recreation, showers, counseling, and other services to individuals in the affected by Hurricane Katrina. The YMCA has also established a $1 million fund for YMCAs across the country to match that will support YMCA staff and families and YMCA facilities damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.

Youth Service America has created a section of its website dedicated to supporting young people who want to assist in the relief efforts. The website includes stories of projects led by children and youth, planning toolkits and tip sheets, and a list of organizations with volunteer opportunities.