How to Donate to the American Red Cross

Part of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, The American Red Cross is the nation's highest profile humanitarian organization, with a long record of protecting human life in every sort of emergency and international conflict. The organization reorganized following difficulties in its response to Hurricane Katrina and is highly rated by the Charity Navigator website. The Red Cross has 30,000 staff and over a million volunteers serving its 800 chapters in the U.S. Read on to learn more.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Cash or other assets to donate

Learn More About the American Red Cross

1. Learn about the American Red Cross history, mission and current projects on the American Red Cross homepage (see Resources below).
2. Get an objective evaluation before you donate by reading the Red Cross Article on Charity Navigator website (see Resources below).
3. Learn more about the American Red Cross by searching for information off their website, with the help of your favorite Internet search engine.

Donate to the American Red Cross

4. Visit the American Red Cross "Donate Now" web page for giving options (see Resources below). Find links there to donate online, by phone, by mail, stock, mutual funds, in-kind products, spare change, through rewards programs and by instant messaging.
5. Earmark your donation. Direct it for the National Disaster Relief Fund, Where Our Need Is Greatest, International Response Fund, Your Local Red Cross Chapter, Military Services, Measles Initiative or the Blood Services Campaign. See summaries on each at the "Donate Now" web page (see Resources below).
6. Donate online at the American Red Cross--"Donate Now" web page. Donate by mail to American Red Cross, PO Box 96456, Washington, DC 20090-6456. Donate by phone to 1-800-REDCROSS (or 1-800-733-2767).
7. Give blood! The Red Cross operates ongoing blood drives all over the world and your blood donation can help save lives. Call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543) or visit the Give Life website to find a local blood drive in your area and make an appointment (see Resources below).

Tips & Warnings

• You can dedicate a blood donation to a particular friend or relative who needs a transfusion for an upcoming surgery or medical procedure. Just call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543).
• If you want to give blood, give yourself a quick pre-screening first.
• You need to be a healthy person, at least 17 years old (younger in some states) and weigh 110 pounds or more.