1. Corporations must act quickly when disaster strikes.
The following procedural changes implemented after the Tsunami have shortened the time companies need to mount a relief effort:

* 41% of respondents formed/expanded charity partnerships to facilitate prompt crisis response

* 19% created new readiness plans to allow them to make decisions and move resources quickly

* 12% developed collaborations with peers/competitors to leverage disaster-relief strengths

* 15% modified employee matching programs, vetting non-profits and putting systems in place

2. Giving cash immediately, then products and services, is a favored approach.
Tsunami contributions were: 38% cash, 49% non-cash, 11% corporate matching of employee gifts, and 2% not categorized. Corporations learned that early infusions of cash enable on-the-ground charities to move quickly. Over time, non-cash giving allows companies to leverage their people, products, distribution networks, and order fulfillment mechanisms to assist with the recovery.

3. Employees expect a quick, generous corporate response.
Employee encouragement during the Tsunami was the second highest rated influencing factor inspiring a corporation's Tsunami giving, second to senior executive/corporate priority. Heeding the call once again, many companies are removing matching limits and are making special efforts to get senior executives to make personal contributions to Hurricane Katrina relief to encourage other employees to give.

4. For many companies, crisis giving is "over and above their philanthropy budget."
Not wishing to have Tsunami giving detract from their non-crisis charitable programs, 67% of companies approved new funds for the Tsunami while a handful drew on existing crisis relief budgets and/or deducted funds from other programs to cover the unanticipated giving.

5. Companies must take an international approach to giving.
In developing a Tsunami response, many companies discovered that their disaster relief programs were U.S. focused, and realized that they did not have the infrastructure in place to accommodate employee matching from employees in international locations. Many companies have since implemented systems that enable global participation.

For detailed Asian Tsunami survey results, including graphics and a list of participating companies, contact Margaret Coady: 212.825.1255 or mcoady@corphilanthropy.org.

For more information visit the Committee to Encourage Corporate Philanthropy website.