Direct Relief received a welcome year-end boost with a $500,000 contribution from an individual investor that previously supported the organization’s Direct Relief USA program, which has become the largest nonprofit program in the country providing free medications to low-income, uninsured people and the only such program operating in all 50 U.S. states. With days remaining in 2011, this gift is a reminder that everyone still has the opportunity to help make a difference this year.

“We are intensely focused on doing more, better, for people who need help in these challenging economic times,” said Direct Relief President and CEO Thomas Tighe. “We are so deeply thankful for this gift and for every act of generosity, which has particular poignancy and is deeply humbling in these still-challenging economic times.”

Direct Relief receives no government funds, devotes 100% of contributions to its programs, and relies entirely on support from private parties to finance its humanitarian health programs in the United States and throughout the world. Fundraising and management expenses are paid by a bequest from a longtime donor.

Recently named by Forbes magazine as one of the 20 most efficient large charities in the U.S., Direct Relief, as do many charities, typically receives one-third or more of its annual revenue in December in year-end charitable contributions.

The Direct Relief USA program, which supports care for patients at more than 1,000 nonprofit community health centers and free clinics nationwide, has expanded rapidly since becoming the only nonprofit licensed to distribute prescription medications in all 50 states three years ago and has provided over $53 million in free medications and supplies in 2011 that the organization receives via donations from nearly 100 healthcare companies.

Internationally, Direct Relief’s humanitarian health programs support midwives and other health workers and facilities in over 50 developing countries with essential medications and supplies to improve maternal and child health, diagnosis and treat patients, and care for people in emergencies.

The organization recently won the prestigious 2011 Peter F. Drucker Institute Award for Nonprofit Innovation for its use of technology in the Direct Relief USA program and for bringing efficiencies to humanitarian health efforts worldwide.