History
Donations
Request Assistance
Medical Supplies
Miscellaneous
History
Q: What is Direct Relief International? What does Direct Relief do?
A: Direct Relief International is a medical assistance and disaster relief agency based in Santa Barbara, California. Since 1948, Direct Relief has provided material assistance to indigenously run health care facilities and projects by supplying them with specifically requested and medically appropriate pharmaceuticals, supplies, nutritional supplements, and medical equipment. We serve the poor and victims of natural and civil disasters without regard to political affiliation, religious belief, ethnic identity, or ability to pay.
Q: Who started Direct Relief International?
A: In 1945, William Zimdin, an Estonian immigrant who had amassed significant wealth in pre-war Europe, began sending thousands of relief parcels containing food, clothing and medicines to relatives, friends, and former employees who were rebuilding their lives in the aftermath of WWII. These efforts served as the cornerstone for the William Zimdin Foundation, established on August 23, 1948 as a California not-for-profit corporation.
After Zimdin's death in 1951, Dezso (Dennis) Karczag, a Hungarian immigrant and close business associate of Zimdin, assumed management of the organization. In 1957, the organization changed its name to the Direct Relief Foundation. In 1982, the organization formally adopted the name Direct Relief International.
Q: How is Direct Relief funded?
A:Unlike many other nonprofit organizations, Direct Relief does not rely on any funding from government grants. Our support comes entirely from private individuals, associations, foundations, and businesses who entrust us with resources so that we can fulfill our humanitarian mission.
Donations
Q: Exactly how much of my donation is going directly to people in need? How much of my donation is used for administrative costs?
A: As of June 2007, Direct Relief has covered all of its administrative and fundraising costs internally, meaning that 100 percent of donated funds go to our programmatic work. These costs were already lean to begin with; in 2007, our administrative and fundraising expenses were less than 1 percent of our public support and revenue. Direct Relief International was able to deliver nearly $22 in medical aid for every $1 spent. Forbes recognized Direct Relief for the sixth consecutive year as one of only two nonprofit organizations in the United States that has been 100% efficient in fundraising over those years.
Q: How can I be assured my donation is going directly to people in need?
A: By clarifying that we may use your contribution wherever most needed, you allow us to strengthen the long-term health systems that are vital to vulnerable people around the world and respond to emergencies that do not receive widespread attention. We commit to spend your money in the most productive, efficient way possible.
Q: Can I choose what program or country I'd like my donation to go to?
A: All funds we receive for specific tragedies are devoted entirely to those events. If you wish to restrict the use of your donation only for a specific purpose or area, we will honor that wish or inform you that we cannot and offer to return your contribution. We have not and will not collect money for what may appear to be a specific incident or purpose with the intention of using it for other purposes. At present, the only separate fund is for support of ongoing work in the Gulf State areas affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005.
Request Assistance
Q: I am an individual seeking financial/ medical assistance? Am I eligible?
A: Direct Relief does not provide assistance on an individual level. We sincerely apologize that we cannot do more to help you in your time of need and recommend that you consult www.interaction.org or www.charitynavigator.org for other ways to receive help.
Q: I know of an organization I think Direct Relief can help. How may I request funding or assistance for my organization/health facility?
A: Direct Relief does not provide technical assistance or cash gifts, nor do we directly foster community projects. We are unable to directly offer financial support and recommend that you consult www.interaction.org or www.charitynavigator.org for more information on how you can receive help.
Q: How does Direct Relief choose its partners?
A: We identify partners through an application process that allows us to select organizations and/or projects that are a good match for Direct Relief International's capabilities and strategic goals. In order to qualify for assistance through Direct Relief, a healthcare facility or program must meet the following criteria at the outset of the application process:
• Health care services must be provided to medically underserved populations in a charitable/subsidized and non-discriminatory manner.
• Health care services cannot be withheld from people who are not able to pay for services.
• Health care services and donated products must be supplied to patients free of charge, for a voluntary fee or a fee based on patient’s ability to pay.
• Health care services must be effectively provided by qualified health care providers. (Qualified health providers would include practitioners that have either completed specialized training or education in the diagnosis and treatment of local health conditions.)
• Donated medical goods must be stored in a secure area.
• Recipients or assigned consignees must have the capacity to receive and clear medical donations through secure channels.
• There must be a match between Direct Relief’s inventory and the needs of the potential recipient.
• The recipient must be officially registered or qualified as an approved provider of health services.
If these criteria are met, candidates are invited to submit an application for medical donation to be reviewed for selection by the Program Department.
Q: Where can I find information on charities offering aid to individuals?
A: We recommend that you consult www.interaction.org or www.charitynavigator.org for more information on charities that offer individual assistance.
Medical Supplies
Q: Where do Direct Relief International's relief supplies come from?
A: Every year, over 100 manufacturers and many healthcare facilities contribute pharmaceuticals, medical supplies, and equipment to support our programs. Since 1948, Direct Relief has linked over-abundant medical resources in the U.S. with unmet needs of charitable health facilities worldwide through our Product Donations Program.
Q: How does the Product Donations Program Work?
• All contributions are acknowledged for tax purposes.
• Incoming contributions are received and housed at Direct Relief International’s processing center in Santa Barbara. Pharmaceuticals are stored in a separate, secure area licensed by the California State Board of Pharmacy and the Food and Drug Administration. We have a licensed Pharmacist on staff.
• Medical contributions are matched with specific needs of charitable health facilities and programs worldwide. Each request for assistance is evaluated by Direct Relief on the basis of the facility’s service to the poor and their ability to effectively use donated goods.
• Direct Relief International is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) non-profit and provides contributors with documentation for tax purposes. Direct Relief maintains records on the destination and usage of all donated items.
• Impact Reports are submitted to manufacturers, which identify the worldwide programs the donations are supporting.
• To make a contribution please contact the Corporate and Foundation Relations staff at Direct Relief International to discuss procedures for making contributions.
We apologize, but Direct Relief is not licensed to accept medications from individual patients. For more information or questions regarding the appropriateness of a donation, please contact Direct Relief at (805) 964-4767 or email arandopoulos@DirectRelief.org.
Q: How can I donate medical supplies or equipment to Direct Relief? What kind of personal donations is Direct Relief in need of?
A: Please see http://www.directrelief.org/SupportUs/CorporateGiving/DonateMedicalProducts.aspx
Miscellaneous
Q: Are there current internship or volunteer opportunities?
A: Direct Relief International relies upon the talents and contributions of dedicated interns and volunteers. Volunteers assist with a full range of administrative, clerical, research, and writing tasks, as well as in staffing special events. Currently, we are near capacity with volunteer requests, but we continually accept inquiries. Direct Relief’s volunteer opportunities exist at our warehouse and office in Santa Barbara, California. If you are interested in becoming an intern or volunteering, please contact us at info@DirectRelief.org and a staff member will contact you to see how your talents might be put to use in our program. Direct Relief is unable to offer volunteer opportunities overseas or in disaster areas. We also do not coordinate housing accommodations.
Q: I am part of a medical mission team. Does Direct Relief provide supplies to traveling doctors and if so, how do I apply?
A: Direct Relief offers a Medical Mission Box program which is only available to traveling physicians that practice overseas. You can learn more about the program by exploring the following link, http://www.directrelief.org/SupportUs/GetInvolved/MedicalMissionBox.aspx. If you feel that this program coincides with your goals, please download and complete the application. Once the application is completed and signed by a licensed physician you may fax it to us or send it by mail. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact Rocio Cendejas at rcendejas@DirectRelief.org.
Q: What is “Women for Direct Relief”?
A: Women for Direct Relief is a support group comprised of community member supporters and members of the board.
Q: Where can I find information on Hurricane Katrina housing, rent, and bill-pay relief?
A: For more information on how to receive help with Hurricane Katrina related expenses, please contact one or more of the following organizations:
www.commongroundrelief.org
www.hurricanehousing.org
www.habitatforhumanity.org
www.craigslist.org
www.hvousa.org
www.iicdmi.org
www.interopp.org
www.interaction.org
www.imva.org
Q: Do you have any partner clinics in the Darfur region of Sudan?
A: We currently do support several partners in Sudan, but are not working directly in Darfur. Our Programs department, in association with our Medical Advisor for Africa who is currently in the field are both looking into the best avenue for us to provide support to the Darfur region.
Q: How can I get publications or a media kit from Direct Relief?
A: Please call Direct Relief for such a request.
Q: What is Direct Relief International’s photo policy?
A: Direct Relief International has voluntary photographers who provide the organization with images that can only be used for Direct Relief publications and for its Web site. Due to their voluntary efforts, we do ask that you do not reuse or copy our images.