Giving Compass' Take:

• Northern California Grantmakers interviews Ken Toren, CEO of American Red Cross Silicon Valley, on how corporate philanthropists can help before and after natural disasters. 

• What is the biggest mistake corporations can make when trying to support disaster relief efforts? 

• Read the Giving Compass Disaster Recovery and Relief Magazine. 

Corporations can play a unique role in helping their communities recover from disasters. How can they make sure they are contributing where their help is most needed – and not inadvertently making recovery operations more difficult?

Ken Toren, CEO of American Red Cross Silicon Valley, knows both the for-profit and the nonprofit worlds well. He has served as CEO, COO, board member, co-founder and advisor for start-ups, private and public companies and nonprofits. In this Q&A, Toren offers insights into what companies should – and shouldn't – do to help both before and after a disaster:

SVCF: What does corporate disaster relief typically include?

Ken Toren: There are many ways corporations can get involved in disaster relief. Most commonly, corporations engage through financial support, volunteering (paying employees or giving them extra time off) or in-kind donations.

SVCF: Is sending money always best, or can in-kind donations be helpful?

Ken Toren: Generally, money is best. Nonprofits can buy items on a wholesale level, and so disaster relief organizations can take the dollar that someone might spend on a single can of beans or case of water and turn it into potentially five to 10 times more of that item. However, certain in-kind donations – those that relief agencies solicit when they need specific items - can be helpful.

Read the full article and interview about corporate disaster response at Northern California Grantmakers.