Direct Relief

Direct Relief
FoundedSanta Barbara, California, US
August 23, 1948 (1948-08-23)[1]
FounderWilliam D. Zimdin, Dezso Karczag[2]
TypeCharitable Organization[1]
95-1831116
Legal status501(c)(3) organization[1]
FocusDisaster preparedness and relief services[3]
Location
  • Santa Barbara, California[3]
Coordinates34°26′14″N 119°50′36″W / 34.43734°N 119.8432121°W / 34.43734; -119.8432121
Area served
International[3]
Key people
Thomas Tighe, president and CEO
John Romo, chairman of the board of directors[1]
Revenue
$2.3B[4]
Employees100 full-time
Volunteers
20,000+ individuals, companies, and foundations
Websitedirectrelief.org
Formerly called
Direct Relief International

Direct Relief (formerly known as Direct Relief International) is a nonprofit humanitarian organization whose mission is to improve the lives of people in poverty or emergency situations by providing the appropriate medical resources.[5] The charity provides emergency medical assistance and disaster relief in the United States and internationally.[1] It is the largest channel for donations of prescription medications and medical supplies in the U.S.[6]

Direct Relief does not accept government funding but instead relies on private, charitable contributions and donated medicine and supplies.[7] The organization is headed by an independent board of directors and its president and CEO, Thomas Tighe.[8]

  1. ^ a b c d e "Charity Navigator – Direct Relief". Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved October 3, 2014.
  2. ^ Graffy, Neal (January 1, 2010). Historic Santa Barbara: An Illustrated History (1 ed.). San Antonio, Texas: Historical Publishing Network. p. 177. ISBN 9781935377146. Retrieved November 7, 2014 – via Google Books.
  3. ^ a b c "GuideStar Exchange Reports for Direct Relief". Archived from the original on December 28, 2014. Retrieved December 16, 2014.
  4. ^ "Annual Report FY 2023" (PDF). Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  5. ^ "Direct Relief". Global Impact. Retrieved February 28, 2023.
  6. ^ Mercado, Jorge (December 1, 2023). "Direct Relief tallies $2B in aid to U.S. nonprofits". Pacific Coast Business Times. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
  7. ^ Staff, Indy (December 21, 2020). "Direct Relief Ranked Third-Largest Charity in the U.S. by Forbes". The Santa Barbara Independent. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  8. ^ "Charity Review, Direct Relief". www.give.org. Better Business Bureau. Archived from the original on November 8, 2014. Retrieved November 7, 2014.