This Giving Tuesday, the spirit of generosity shines brightest when it starts right here at home. Santa Barbara County is filled with nonprofits doing extraordinary work, and even the smallest gesture can create a meaningful ripple.
At Noozhawk, we’re proud to spotlight these organizations through our Good for Santa Barbara County Nonprofit Section, making it easier than ever to discover causes that speak to you.
Take a moment to explore our Giving Guide and help lift up neighbors who could use a little extra support this season.
In this interview, Noozhawk spoke with Brea Burkholz, Senior Manager of Public Relations at Direct Relief, to learn more about the nonprofit’s mission to improve the health and lives of people affected by poverty or disasters– without regard to politics, religion, or ability to pay.
Direct Relief
Question: What is the name of your nonprofit, and what is its mission?
Answer: Direct Relief is a humanitarian aid organization, active in all 50 states and more than 90 countries, with a mission to improve the health and lives of people affected by poverty or disasters– without regard to politics, religion, or ability to pay.
Q: How long has your organization been serving the community, and who founded it?
A: Direct Relief was founded right here in Santa Barbara in 1948 by William Zimdin, an Estonian immigrant and philanthropist. Initially, it focused on providing relief to refugees in post-World War II Europe. After Zimdin’s death in 1951, Dennis Karczag, a Hungarian immigrant and Zimdin’s close business associate, assumed management of the organization.
In 1957, the organization changed its name to the Direct Relief Foundation, and in 1982, renamed again and became known as Direct Relief International.
Since its founding, Direct Relief has grown into a global humanitarian organization, serving vulnerable communities for 77 years by improving access to healthcare and responding to emergencies worldwide.
Q: What motivated the creation of your nonprofit?
A: Direct Relief was created in response to the immense suffering caused by World War II, particularly among refugees in Europe. Its founder, William Zimdin, had personally experienced displacement after fleeing Nazi-occupied Europe. He was deeply moved by the plight of those who had lost everything and were struggling to rebuild their lives.
Zimdin used his resources to send care packages filled with food, medicine, and clothing to individuals and families in need, especially in Europe. His vision of providing targeted and practical aid to those in crisis laid the foundation for Direct Relief’s mission, which remains focused on improving the health and lives of vulnerable people worldwide.
Q: How is your nonprofit primarily funded, and what are its biggest needs right now?
A: Direct Relief is primarily funded through private donations from individuals, foundations, and corporate partners. It does not rely on government funding, which allows the organization to remain flexible and act quickly during emergencies.
Direct Relief’s focus is on addressing urgent humanitarian and healthcare needs while building long-term resilience in vulnerable communities. Disaster response efforts include providing medical supplies, emergency grants, and logistical support to communities affected by events like hurricanes, earthquakes, and flooding.
Direct Relief is also committed to advancing global health, with initiatives aimed at expanding access to essential medicines, vaccines, and maternal and child health programs in underserved regions.
Domestically, including right here in Santa Barbara County, Direct Relief supports healthcare providers who serve at-need patient populations, allowing increased and uninterrupted care to those who need it most.
Additionally, Direct Relief prioritizes climate resilience through its Power for Health Initiative, aimed at strengthening healthcare infrastructure by installing solar energy systems at healthcare centers and free clinics.
Other areas of focus include ongoing humanitarian support for displaced populations in conflict zones and partnerships to enhance disaster preparedness.
Q: How do you allocate your funding to support your mission?
A: Direct Relief’s needs-driven approach ensures resources are distributed where they are most urgently required, guided by careful assessments of disaster zones and healthcare systems.
Direct Relief only sends aid which is specifically requested by medical providers and response organizations on the ground in impacted regions. In addition, when someone makes a donation to Direct Relief, they are given the option of where the donation should be used.
This allows donors to select a specific disaster or emergency response to donate toward, or have the organization use the donation where it is needed most.
Advanced logistics and data-driven decision-making ensure the efficient delivery of aid, and regular audits and financial reports provide transparency to donors and partners.
This commitment to effective funding allocation allows Direct Relief to consistently deliver impactful, lifesaving support worldwide.
Q: How can people get involved with your nonprofit or volunteer?
A: Those interested in supporting Direct Relief can visit DirectRelief.org and follow @DirectRelief across all social media platforms. For those local to the Santa Barbara area, a limited number of in-person volunteer opportunities are held throughout the year. For more information on in-person volunteer opportunities, email info@directrelief.org.
Q: What sets your nonprofit apart from similar organizations?
A: As the fifth-largest nonprofit in the United States according to Forbes, Direct Relief stands out among humanitarian organizations due to its unique operational model, efficiency, and impact-driven approach. It is renowned for its ability to deliver high-impact aid. As a licensed wholesale pharmaceutical distributor, it operates with the precision and compliance of a healthcare organization.
By leveraging in-kind partnerships with pharmaceutical and medical companies, Direct Relief provides millions of dollars in medical aid annually, amplifying donor contributions for maximum impact.
Operating in over 90 countries, including the U.S., the organization partners directly with local entities, such as healthcare centers, free clinics, and medically focused NGOs, to tailor its response to the specific needs of communities.
The organization is also a leader in disaster readiness and response, maintaining pre-positioned emergency supplies at strategic global hubs for rapid deployment. Using real-time data and analytics, Direct Relief identifies high-need areas and ensures efficient aid delivery, often being one of the first responders during crises.
In addition to its healthcare focus, Direct Relief embraces innovation and sustainability through initiatives like the Power for Health program, which equips healthcare facilities with renewable energy solutions to ensure long-term resilience.
Its operations are bolstered by advanced logistics and tracking technologies, which enable transparency and accountability. The organization is apolitical and non-sectarian, ensuring aid reaches those in need regardless of race, religion, or politics.
With a 100% score from Charity Navigator and consistent recognition for its financial transparency and efficiency, Direct Relief is committed to earning and upholding trust among donors and partners.
Its dedication to improving global health and its ability to operate with precision, innovation, and compassion have cemented its reputation as a leader in humanitarian aid for 77 years.
Q: How do you share your nonprofit’s impact and updates with the public?
A: Direct Relief regularly shares updates on its activities and impact with the public through a variety of channels. It publishes annual reports, financial audits, and program updates that detail its activities, expenditures, and outcomes. Additionally, specialized reports, such as disaster response summaries, provide in-depth insights into specific relief efforts.
Direct Relief’s website and features detailed articles, and stories from the field, offering real-time updates on its global work. Direct Relief also leverages social media platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram to share photos, videos, and impact metrics while engaging directly with supporters and donors.
Donor communication is another priority, with regular email updates and newsletters detailing recent milestones and upcoming projects. Tailored communications are also shared with donors and partners to ensure accountability.
Lastly, Direct Relief hosts events such as panel discussions at its headquarters, providing opportunities to showcase its work and discuss pressing global issues with the Santa Barbara community.
Through these efforts, Direct Relief keeps its supporters and the public informed and engaged in its mission to improve health and save lives in vulnerable communities worldwide.
Q: What makes your organization trustworthy for donors, and are there other ways people can support your cause beyond donations?
A: Direct Relief has built trust with donors and supporters through its commitment to transparency, efficiency, and impact.
Direct Relief consistently earns top ratings from independent evaluators like Charity Navigator, America’s top independent nonprofit evaluator, which just awarded Direct Relief an overall 2025 evaluation score of 100%, as well as the organization’s 15th consecutive four-star rating.
Click here to support Direct Relief’s mission to improve the health and lives of people affected by poverty or disasters– without regard to politics, religion, or ability to pay
Check out Noozhawk’s Guide to Giving for a full list of nonprofits to donate to this giving season.
If you would like to include your nonprofit in our Good for Santa Barbara section and Giving Guide click HERE.