The Disasters That Keep on Giving

By Ellen McGirt

In the 10 days after Hurricane Katrina hit, Americans contributed a record-setting $587 million to help people affected by the storm. In a similar period, they donated $239 million after 9/11 and roughly $163 million after the Asian tsunami. Now, as the hurricane victims begin to focus on rebuilding their lives--and with the storm season still raging--new and creative ways to make charitable donations are emerging. Here are some twists you might consider:

Old charities are helping in new ways. All kinds of advocacy groups are carving out new funds to help special populations or leverage specific talents, such as supporting animal shelters or providing free legal assistance in hurricane-affected ZIP codes. "We have seen more nonprofits that do not have disaster relief within their mission raising more money than ever before," says Walter Sczudlo of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

Check your frequent-traveler programs. Continental Airlines and Frontier Airlines are making it easy for their frequent flyers to donate spare miles to relief agencies. American Airlines, America West and United Airlines, for their part, are giving 500 bonus miles to each member who donates $50 through their relief partners. Marriott Rewards members can exchange program points for Marriott Cheques that will be distributed to people displaced by the hurricane.

Give the gift of time. IRS officials are promoting a plan, launched after 9/11, that makes it easy for employees to give unused leave, vacation time or sick days back to their employer, which then donates the value of that time to relief organizations. Employees can subtract the value of the donated time from their taxable income, and employers get the tax deduction. If you're interested, you can contact your human-resources department for more information.

There's no place like home. New 501(c)3 organizations are creating online databases to match people offering free or low-rent housing with evacuees in need. Katrina Housing org was begun by a Web developer in Utah and so far has placed more than 6,000 families. To be safe, check with your local police, who now have access to the FBI criminal database for free background checks on evacuees and housers.

Donate wisely. You can do some research on nonprofits--or hunt for the one that works best for your purposes--at GuideStar . org, Charity Navigator . org or the Better Business Bureau's Give.org