‘Tis the season for giving…and giving back. The holiday season is the perfect time to show those around you how much you care. Join Noozhawk this #GivingTuesday and make a donation to a local nonprofit.
Noozhawk is teaming up with local nonprofits to encourage you to take part in the international day of giving, which takes place on November 30th, 2021.
It is no secret that this past year and a half has been full of challenges. In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, local nonprofits need your support now more than ever.
Our Good for Santa Barbara Nonprofit Section provides all the resources you need to donate this holiday season, including a full Giving Guide with a list of local nonprofits who need your help this Giving Tuesday.
In this interview, Noozhawk spoke with Robert Schumann, Sr. Regional Philanthropy Officer at Red Cross Central California, to learn more about how the nonprofit is dedicated to preventing and alleviating human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors.
American Red Cross
Question: What is the name & mission of your nonprofit?
Answer: Red Cross Central California. The American Red Cross prevents and alleviates human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors.
Q: How long has your nonprofit been in service?
A: Since our founding by Clara Barton on May 21, 1881, the American Red Cross has been dedicated to serving people in need. We received our first congressional charter in 1900 and to this day we are tasked by the federal government with providing services to members of the American armed forces and their families as well as providing disaster relief in the United States and around the world. In 2021, the Red Cross celebrated 140 years of compassionate service. Learn how we commemorated our anniversary.
Even while the Red Cross adapts to meet the changing needs of the people we serve, we always stay true to those roots. Are you familiar with the classic images of Red Cross nurses helping American soldiers and civilian war victims during World War I? In fact, as you read this Red Cross staff and volunteers are still deploying alongside America’s military. Maybe you’ve taken a class through the Red Cross, such as first aid certification or how to swim. Did you know we’ve been offering similar training since the early 1900s? Have you ever given blood or received donated blood? The Red Cross developed the first nationwide civilian blood program in the 1940s and we still provide more than 40% of the blood products in this country.
Today, as throughout our long history, the Red Cross depends on generous contributions of time, blood, and money from the American public to support our lifesaving services and programs. We invite you to learn about our history and hope you will feel inspired to become more involved with the Red Cross.
Read the full history here.
Q: How is your nonprofit primarily funded and what are your greatest needs?
A: Although the Red Cross is not funded by the government, that doesn’t mean the organization will not receive government money in certain events. During a natural disaster, such as major Hurricane or Wildfire, the government contracted the Red Cross to carry out some aspect of the government’s relief efforts. Apart from monetary donations from the government, the Red Cross does not get funded by it.
Instead, the American Red Cross’ budget comes mostly from donations that companies, organizations, universities, and individuals make, and cost-recovery fees can be charged for some services. The American Red Cross is a non-profit, charitable organization, which means it gets the sum of its money to operate through donations from others.
heard that one pint of blood from just one person could save up to three lives.
(American Red Cross photo)
The Red Cross is proud that an average of 90 cents of every dollar we spend is invested in delivering care and comfort to those in need.
Each year, the generous support of donors like you enables our disaster workforce— 90% volunteers—to help millions of people in the U.S.
As our mission states, we rely on the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors.
Q: How has COVID-19 impacted your nonprofit?
A: Disasters don’t take a break, and neither does the American Red Cross.
Red Cross continues to deliver critical services amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Emergencies like accidents, home fires, illnesses and natural disasters don’t stop during a pandemic — and
neither does the vital work of the American Red Cross.
As the challenges presented by this coronavirus outbreak came into focus in early March 2020, the Red Cross began preparing to ensure the continued delivery of our lifesaving mission. In our planning, we examined the potential impacts of COVID-19 on how we deliver essential services — including blood collection and disaster relief — while protecting the health and safety of our volunteers and employees.
Q: In what ways does your nonprofit utilize its funding?
A: The Red Cross is proud that an average of 90 cents of every dollar we spend is invested in delivering care and comfort to those in need. The Red Cross is proud that an average of 90 cents of every dollar we spend is invested in delivering care and comfort to those in need.
Each year, the generous support of donors like you enables our disaster workforce— 90% volunteers—to help millions of people in the U.S. When you make a financial donation to support one of these initiatives, you’re sending help and hope to people at their time of need: Current Relief Efforts,
Disaster Relief, Home Fire Campaign, Your Local Red Cross, Where It’s Needed Most, and/or Military Families.
To learn more, please visit our website.
Q: How do people get involved/volunteer for your nonprofit?
A: Become a Red Cross volunteer. Your time and talent can make a real difference in people’s lives. 90% of the Red Cross workforce are volunteers. Learn About Volunteer Opportunities
The vital work of the American Red Cross is made possible by people like you who contribute their unique backgrounds, talents and skill levels. Our needs change based on current events, adding flexibility to get you involved in an area that inspires you!
Explore typical opportunities on this page, or take a short quiz to discover the type of role that’s right for you by visiting our website.
Safety First! Our need for volunteers is constant and continues to evolve as we navigate this Coronavirus health crisis. If you are interested in serving to meet essential service needs in the public, review the CDC guidance, consult your healthcare provider, and follow local guidance. The number one priority of the American Red Cross is the health and safety of our employees, volunteers, blood donors and recipients, and clients.
Volunteers applying for in-person position assignments must be fully vaccinated. Instructions on providing information and supporting documentation of vaccination will be provided once you submit your application. To learn more visit www.redcross.org/volunteernow.
Q: What makes your nonprofit different from others?
A: The American Red Cross, through its strong network of volunteers, donors and partners, is always there in times of need. We aspire to turn compassion into action so that…
- all people affected by disaster across the country and around the world receive care, shelter and hope
- our communities are ready and prepared for disasters
- everyone in our country has access to safe, lifesaving blood and blood products
- all members of our armed services and their families find support and comfort whenever needed; and
- in an emergency, there are always trained individuals nearby, ready to use their Red Cross skills to save lives.
Q: What is one best kept secret or fun fact about your nonprofit that not everyone knows?
A: It’s difficult to pick just one! Here are a few. . .
Your blood is needed.
When you hear American Red Cross, you probably think of blood donations and you should! We provide 40% of all blood in this country and they couldn’t do it without the 2.8 million volunteers who donate 4.9 million units of blood.
In addition to donating blood, you can also donate platelets, plasma, or do a double donation called Power Red. But definitely do it because every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood.
We help with domestic disaster relief every day—24/7/375.
Beyond the national newsworthy events like major hurricanes and wildfires, the American Red Cross last year responded to 62,000 disasters, most of which were house fires.
We are working to prevent house fires by installing smoke alarms.
The American Red Cross has an ongoing campaign across the country to not only ensure that underserved communities have working smoke alarms that are properly installed as well.
We can help you prepare for a personal emergency.
We call this philosophy “Be Red Cross Ready” and offer advice and supplies to help you get prepared for an emergency. We provide Personal Emergency Preparedness kits that includes supplies for water, blanket, poncho, items for first aid, and to attract help. This is a kit you can tuck away at home or easily put in your car for sudden emergencies. If you’re not sure what to put into your kit, you can make your own using this list of recommendations, or buy a starter kit from our Emergency Preparedness site.
The American Red Cross is focused on the US but helps all over the world.
You hear about the Red Cross all the time, especially in times of a global crisis. But which Red Cross is it? There is an international federation that organizes over 190 Red Cross and Red Crescent organizations from all over the globe in times of international crisis. The federation is there to oversee who serves what role on the ground so that all needs are being met.
While the American Red Cross may often be on the front lines of a crisis, we may also provide support, financial and otherwise, from afar. Here at home, we have 58 regions across the United States with local chapters covering every community.
We help reunite people.
There are many heartwarming (and tear-jerking) stories surrounding international crises. But there are stories that takes years to come to a complete end. The Reconnecting Families program helps reunite those separated in the time of an international crisis because when the immediate need is over, there must be recovery. Through this program, the Red Cross recently helped reunite two sisters that had been separated decades earlier.
You can help countries from the comfort of your own laptop. In the United States, we live in a world of Google Maps, Google Earth, and even Google cars. In more remote regions of the world, not everything is accessible by a self-driving car taking pictures.
That means small towns and villages aren’t always properly identified on maps. Without that information, some communities remain vulnerable. In order to be able to better respond and restore, the public can help by reviewing satellite images of communities and identifying features, such as buildings, on the map, the American Red Cross offers the Missing Maps program.
The American Red Cross is always standing by. 24/7/365
The American Red Cross operates the Disaster Operations Center in Fairfax, VA, near Washington DC.
It is the home of their Disaster Operations Center (DOC), where we are constantly monitoring news and weather for any potential disasters.
The American Red Cross is a financially sound, well trusted organization.
The American Red Cross is ever evolving and incredibly efficient. We constantly adapt, using new technology and refined methods to do more with less.
90% of our workforce is volunteer. According to the Better Business Bureau, 20 out of 20 standards for charitable accountability are met.
90 cents of every dollar that we spend delivers care. You can go see the American Red Cross headquarters for yourself.
Next time you’re in Washington, DC and wonder what lies behind those white, pristine pillars, you can take a tour! You’ll get a guided tour from the historian showing photographs from their early efforts during the war, see historical artifacts, and view the gorgeous Tiffany-stained glass windows in their ballroom upstairs.
There’s an app for that!
We suggest that you download the American Red Cross First Aid app, which gives advice on what immediate steps to take in case of a medical emergency. We even have a Pet First Aid app!
American Red Cross apps. Check out all of their free apps.
Clara Barton was a badass.
She was not only a woman who risked her life on the battlefield to administer care to soldiers during the Civil War, but she also founded the American Red Cross in 1881 at age 59. She continued to serve as president until the age of 83.
So the next time you think you’re too old or too young to make a difference, remember that Clara never let that stop her and the American Red Cross is the legacy she left behind.
Q: Can you share one or two stories of individuals whose lives have been changed because of your organization?
A: For a complete collection of stories about the Red Cross and the impact of our Humanitarian mission, please visit: https://www.redcross.org/about-us/who-we-are/red-cross-stories.html
Q: Why should donors trust your organization and are there other ways to help outside of donations?
A: We are “America’s most loved nonprofit brand.” – Morning Consult, 2019. The nation’s most recognized nonprofit. – Morning Consult, 2019. The most reliable charity. – BrandAsset Valuator, 2017. The most reliable charity. – Harris Poll EquiTrend Study, 2017.
Click here to support the American Red Cross mission to provide relief and support to those in crisis.