Haiti relief efforts: HFHN distributes $35M

"Hope for Haiti Now" (HFHN) today announced the distribution of $35M as the first installment of funds raised through the January 22nd telethon: "Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief."  Six of the telethon beneficiaries (Oxfam America, Partners In Health, the American Red Cross, UNICEF, United Nations World Food Programme, and Yele Haiti Foundation) submitted proposals last week.  After an intensive review process and guidance from the "Hope for Haiti Now" Advisory Committee and Bridgespan, a management consulting group that advises non-profits; the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF), the 501(c)(3) organization providing pro bono philanthropic support and HFHN are allocating $35 million to begin funding both immediate disaster relief and reconstruction and recovery efforts in Haiti. With slightly more than half of the $66 million pledged being distributed now, the next allocation of funds is planned for May after all donations have been received. (Funds pledged will continue to be collected for the next 60 - 90 days.)  

EIF, MTV Networks and George Clooney, the telethon's principal organizer, are committed to ensuring that the donated funds are quickly and effectively put to use in Haiti. As part of the grant allocations, "Hope for Haiti Now" is providing specific descriptions of how each organization will use funds for relief efforts and immediate rebuilding initiatives. The organizations receiving funds at this time were selected as beneficiaries for their history of operation and collaboration within the nongovernmental organization (NGO) community in Haiti. One beneficiary, the newly formed Clinton Bush Haiti Fund, will request funds in the next round to go to recovery and rebuilding efforts.

"In less than two weeks since the telethon, the first $35 million raised is en route to address dire needs in Haiti -- to provide food, water, shelter, medical care and other vital resources. The counsel of our advisory committee members was critical in rapidly getting us to this point. We are extremely grateful to them for their time and expert guidance, and to everyone who donated so generously," said George Clooney.

"Hope for Haiti Now" is allocating the first $35 million as follows:

"There is still a massive and urgent need for food, water, and other vital resources to reach the countless people suffering on the ground in Haiti -- children, families... millions who are displaced and homeless. These funds will help to save lives now as Haiti begins to rebuild for the long-term," said Institute for Justice & Democracy in Haiti Director Brian Concannon, one of the advisory committee members with Haitian relief work expertise. 

All partner organizations are required to meet the highest standards of transparency, accountability and effectiveness.  Each organization will report regularly to "Hope for Haiti Now" on how the funds are being used on the ground in Haiti.  Field reports and real-time updates will be provided to keep the public informed of the progress of relief and recovery efforts.  The impact of immediate assistance will be closely monitored and assessed each month before additional funds are distributed.

"We were asked to make recommendations to help ensure that these funds are distributed as quickly, responsibly and effectively as possible.  We fulfilled that mandate.  The review process of the partner organizations was rigorous and transparent.  We will continue to watch the progress on the ground as resources are swiftly deployed to help the people of Haiti," said Advisory Committee Member Steven Gunderson, who is President & CEO of the Council on Foundations.

The Advisory Committee has global and domestic expertise in four key areas: philanthropy/foundation governance and grant-making, nonprofit oversight, disaster response and Haiti relief.  The Committee's members are:

• Diana Aviv - President & CEO, Independent Sector
• Brian Concannon, Jr., Esq. - Director, Institute for Justice & Democracy in Haiti
• William Foster - Partner, The Bridgespan Group
• Steven G. Gunderson - President & CEO, Council on Foundations
• Nancy Lindborg - President, Mercy Corps
• Jacques - Philippe Piverger - Founder, Global Syndicate
• Judith Rodin, Ph.D. - President, The Rockefeller Foundation
• David Saltzman - Executive Director, Robin Hood Foundation

About the Review Process

The Bridgespan Group, a 501(c)(3) management consulting firm for non-profits, developed the following criteria used by the Advisory Committee to evaluate each beneficiary's funding request:

• Goals - objectives and program outcomes that are clearly identified and achievable, with specific information regarding target beneficiaries, method of serving beneficiaries and identification of timing and method of existing work, if any
• Operating Plan - an overview and timeline of basic activities, outlining leadership roles and staffing levels needed, major non-personnel investments and budget for use of funds
• Partnerships - ability to work in collaboration with other groups and to describe distinct roles, relative to other charities or agencies
• Reporting - basic tracking and reporting capability and timely receipt and expenditure of funds, including, but not limited to measurement of program outputs toward goal (e.g. number of patients treated) and commitment to high level of transparency in publicly sharing data
• Leadership - experienced team of senior personnel in place, as required to execute plan, this includes a stated commitment by Leadership Team to implement the Operating Plan
• Compliance - Compliance with laws, rules and regulations governing charitable organizations and adoption of nonprofit best practices such as: function of board of directors, compliance with an established policy governing conflicts of interest and complete and up-to-date tax and financial filings
• Relief Criteria - capacity for immediate implementation, if providing emergency relief as expeditiously as possible (i.e., for organizations providing direct services in the next six months vs. long-term recovery efforts), as evidenced by: significant knowledge of culture and country, strong logistics capability with seasoned logisticians and demonstrated expertise in the area of immediate need

The "Hope for Haiti Now" telethon aired on January 22, 2010 and featured 24 performers in Los Angeles, New York and London, as well as over 100 celebrity participants answering phones and taking donations. "Hope for Haiti Now" was produced by Joel Gallen and Tenth Planet Productions, in collaboration with Viacom's MTV Networks and George Clooney.

"The response from other networks and the entertainment community, both in the U.S. and internationally, was remarkable. In just a few days, we went from a phone call from George Clooney to a program that aired on over 100 networks in 60 countries on six continents. We are so grateful to all of our colleagues for joining us in communicating the urgency of Haiti's immediate needs," said MTV Networks Chairman & CEO Judy McGrath.