Non-Profit Organizations in a Disaster

Nonprofit Organizations in a Disaster
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Nonprofit Organizations in a Disaster
Over the years, nonprofit organizations have been crucial and instrumental in assisting individuals affected by different disasters to overcome their disruptions and rebuild their lives. This is because nonprofit organizations have the ability to not only motivate volunteerism and assess local needs but also distribute goods and aid effectively and without discrimination or favoritism to the affected people. Considering that these nonprofit organizations are not inclined or driven by profit motives, they majorly depend on donations from well-wishers and philanthropists to achieve their goals and objectives of assisting the disadvantaged in society. One notable organization is the American Red Cross. The humanitarian organization that was founded during the tail-end of the 19th century not only provides disaster relief but even disaster preparedness education throughout the US and internationally. The essay purposes to highlight extensively on the American Red Cross with particular focus on its mission, sources of funding, its interactions with governments, notable disasters the organization has assisted in the past and share some of the reasons individuals volunteer for the humanitarian agency.
Understanding the Scope of the American Red Cross, Mission and Sources of Funding
The American Red Cross is also identified as the American National Red Cross. It was founded in 1881 by Clara Burton with the primary purpose of providing humanitarian aid (Redcross.org, 2021). While it operates throughout the US, the America Red Cross has its headquarters in Washington D.C and on a property that has since been gazetted as a national historic landmark. As is the norm with nonprofit organizations, the American Red Cross has over the years geared their operations in line with the public good and with little regard for making any profits or returns. The organization has instrumentally stepped in different scenarios when states failed to allocate sufficient resources and also to assist marginalized people in the region in the face of disasters and calamities. The above statement is in line to the mission of the organization and which is to alleviate human suffering during periods of emergencies through mobilization of donors and volunteers. Reputation of the American Red Cross has built through the years from its efforts during different disasters make it quite easy for the organization to source for funding from donors, volunteers and well-wishers not just from the US but globally. It receives monetary and non-monetary donations from individuals, companies and universities (Hughes & Luksetich, 2004). Through the donations, the organization responds to about 60,000 disasters annually. It is estimated that in collaboration with different partners, the American Red Cross served over 8.4 million meals to the disadvantaged in and around the US in 2019. The organization also helped to shelter around 250,000 homeless people during the same period (Redcross.org, 2021). These initiatives would not be possible without donations.
Interaction of the American Red Cross with the Government
The American Red Cross is a humanitari...