Giving for Japan Disaster Now Totals More Than $136-Million

By Caroline Preston and Nicole Wallace

Ten days after the devastating earthquake and tsunamis in Japan, American donors have contributed more than $136-million for relief efforts, according to a Chronicle tally. Nearly two-thirds of the total has been raised by one organization, the American Red Cross.

The rate of donations is slower than after last year’s earthquake in Haiti and after 2005’s Hurricane Katrina. Nine days after the disaster in Haiti, donors had contributed more than $355-million, and nine days after Katrina they had given more than $740-million.

The amount of money raised for Japan is closer to the amount contributed after the 2004 Asian tsunamis. Nine days after that disaster, Americans had donated more than $163-million.

Some nonprofits have been cautious about raising money for the catastrophe in Japan because the needs are not yet clear.

To read more: http://philanthropy.com/article/Giving-for-Japan-Disaster-Now/126851/