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Direct Relief International 

Description

Direct Relief’s programs strengthen the capacity of healthcare facilities to provide care to vulnerable populations by delivering needed pharmaceuticals and medical supplies at no cost. Many people, especially those who are low-income and uninsured, cannot afford or access needed medication. In the U.S., a large portion of this underserved population seeks care at community clinics and health centers for their medical needs.

Mission Statement
Direct Relief International is a non-profit organization that provides medical assistance to improve the quality of life for people affected by poverty, disaster, and civil unrest at home and throughout the world. The purpose of Direct Relief USA is to provide medical resources and support to strengthen America’s safety net of community clinics and health centers.
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Direct Relief International
27 S La Patera Ln 
Santa Barbara 
CA
93117 
(805) 964-4767 

Thomas Tighe 
President and CEO 

Programs

Direct Relief International Programs

Support of the Safety Net
Direct Relief offers two distinct programs to provide no-cost medicines and supplies to clinics throughout the U.S. – ongoing inventory support and replenishment, an innovative approach to Patient Assistance Programs that distributes medical material from several manufacturers through a single source at no cost. Since 2003, Direct Relief has provided over 1,100 clinics across the country with more than 10 million prescriptions, medicines, and supplies valued at $170 million (wholesale) and $5.2 million in cash grants.

Emergency Preparedness & Response
Direct Relief helps partners worldwide prepare for and respond to disasters. Response efforts - delivery of medicines, supplies, equipment, and cash - are swift, targeted, involve local partners, and are coordinated with other agencies to ensure effective use of resources. Programs include: pre-positioning of hurricane prep packs, Medical Reserve Corps packs, 2010 Haiti Earthquake, 2009 Typhoon in the Philippines, 2007 Southern CA fires, 2005 Hurricane Katrina.

International Support to Build Capacity of Local Healthcare Providers
In addition to delivering no-cost medications, supplies, and equipment to 72 countries, Direct Relief provides operational and financial support towards a number of programs worldwide to improve health conditions. Direct Relief partner programs include: maternal and child health support in Kenya; nurse-midwife training in Afghanistan; mobile telemedicine van in India; HIV/AIDS prevention in Haiti; and number of others.

Recent Successes and Current Challenges

2009 Accomplishments
  • Provided support to 46 clinic sites in Washington, and 1,148 clinics total in all 50 states
  • Delivered 3,704 shipments valued at $42,616,032 wholesale in the U.S.
  • Leverage - Each dollar spent provided between $21 and $37 (wholesale) of medical material aid
  • “100% Efficient” – Forbes
  • “Nation’s #1 ‘Slam-dunk’ Charity” – Charity Navigator
  • “Best-run Nonprofit Organization in the U.S.” – Chronicle of Philanthropy
  • “99.1% Program Spending Efficiency” – Consumers Digest

In the United States, Direct Relief plans to expand access to medical products and supplies to safety net providers in Seattle, WA. Internationally, Direct Relief will enhance programmatic areas including maternal and child health, HIV/AIDS, and emergency preparedness and response.

To accomplish these objectives, Direct Relief needs:

  • Funding to operate the replenishment program, including implementation, audits, tracking and reporting
  • Shipping costs to deliver medications and supplies

Evaluation

Grant History with The Seattle Foundation:

Grants Awarded through The Seattle Foundation Grantmaking Program:

DateAmountPurpose
There are no recent grants awarded to this organization.

Financials

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