January 14, 2010   Dear ICF members, donors and friends,   I know we are all watching the tragedy in Haiti unfold and that we may be feeling somewhat helpless in what we can do to respond. My understanding is that cash donations are needed most right now. Unfortunately when a devastating worldwide event like this occurs, there are those out there who take advantage of the generosity and compassion we feel toward the victims. I encourage all of you to consider making a donation to help the people of Haiti, but also to be aware of possible scams.   Last night I received an email from the president of the Council on Foundations, a national nonprofit association of approximately 2,000 grantmaking foundations and corporations. The COF website offers several resources for making donations to Haiti through philanthropic organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and governmental and multilateral organizations. It also has links for those looking to get more information about the situation there.   I’ve included this information below and encourage you to check the COF website for updates. At this point, ICF does not plan to collect money specifically for Haitian relief, but again I encourage all of you to contribute to one of these agencies or organizations.   Philanthropic Organizations United Nations Foundation has committed $1 million and encourages donations through the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF). Florida Philanthropic Network will provide updated information on how people in its region can contribute to Haiti earthquake relief efforts on the Haiti Earthquake Relief Page on its Web site.   NGOs AmeriCares has pledged $5 million worth of aid for the people of Haiti. The American Red Cross has increased its initial $200,000 commitment to $1 million. The White House encourages donations through the Red Cross International Response Fund. InterAction: The largest alliance of U.S.-based international development and humanitarian nongovernmental organizations. InterAction offers guidelines on the most appropriate ways to help those affected by overseas disasters. World Vision has worked in Haiti for 30 years and has some 370 staff in country. The organization encourages donations to the Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund. MercyCorps is deploying an emergency response team to the island nation and has set up a Haiti Earthquake Fund. ·        View additional lists of on-the-ground relief agencies from BCLC, CBS News, and CNN.   Government and Multilateral Agencies United Nations World Food Programme is working to meet the enormous logistical challenge of bringing in disaster relief supplies, equipment, and prepared foods urgently needed by people hardest-hit by the earthquake. UNICEF will deploy essential aid—including safe water, sanitation supplies, therapeutic foods, medical supplies, and temporary shelter materials—as quickly as possible to assist with recovery efforts. U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is dispatching a Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) and has activated its partners, the Fairfax County Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Team and the Los Angeles County Search and Rescue Team.   Situational Information AlertNet: A humanitarian news network from the Reuters Foundation that provides detailed news updates on the extent of damage and ongoing humanitarian relief efforts. ReliefWeb: A project of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. This Web site serves as a clearing house for information related to the earthquakes and ongoing situational reports. United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA): An entity within the United Nations Secretariat that provides a map of the earthquake damage. Business Civic Leadership Center (BCLC): A 501(c)3 affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce that monitors in-country news as well as the business response.   News Organizations BBC CNN Washington Post New York Times Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) Sincerely, Bob Hoover President Idaho Community Foundation