A fund created to raise money for the victims of the Boston Marathon bombings has already received nearly $7 million in donations from corporate partners and individual donors.
One Fund Boston was launched on Tuesday by Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick and Boston Mayor Thomas Menino to give philanthropists and other individuals a way to support the more than 180 individuals who were injured during the attacks on Monday. The $7 million raised so far includes a $1 million commitment from John Hancock Financial Services, which was one of the lead sponsors of the marathon.
Taking aside the donations from businesses and corporations, One Fund Boston has received $500,000 from 8,500 individual donors.
“I am humbled by the outpouring of support by the business community and individuals who are united in their desire to help,” Patrick said. “At moments like this, we are one state, one city, and one people.”
Mayor Menino said via a statement that he received calls from businesses and individuals who wanted to pledge money “within the hour” that the fund was established.
“We are one Boston. We are one community. As always, we will come together to help those most in need. And in the end, we will all be better for it,” Mayor Menino said.
One Fund Boston will be headed by attorney Ken Feinberg, who was appointed in 2001 by the Attorney General of the United States to head the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund. In 2010, he was appointed by President Barack Obama to administer the fund for those affected by the BP oil spill, and he also helped administer donations for the victims of the mass shootings in Aurora, Colo., and at Virginia Tech.
“I am honored to serve at the request of both Governor Patrick and Mayor Menino,” Feinberg said in a press release. “I will do my best to justify their confidence in me as we move forward to design and administer an effective program following the terrible tragedy in Boston.”
Feinberg, who is himself a native of Boston, will head the fun entirely pro bono.
The Fund is currently in the process of applying for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status with the Internal Revenue Service. A statement on the organization's website said that if the IRS makes the determination that it is worthy of being tax-exempt, that decision will be made retroactive to the date of the Fund's formation.
Showing posts with label boston marathon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label boston marathon. Show all posts
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Scams Abound After Boston Marathon Bombings
In the aftermath of the deadly bombings Monday at the Boston Marathon, a number of web sites claiming to offer funds for victims appear to be scams.
According to the Internet news site TheDomains, more than 20 of the 125 domains that were registered after the bombings appear to be illegitimate. Michael Berkens, editor of TheDomains, wrote in his piece that many of these sites, such as Bostonmarathonrelief.com, have been registered by individuals rather than legitimate charities.
“While we don’t know every registrants' intention, we do know historically that many of the domain names registered immediately after were done to get traffic and make money parking domains or worse,” wrote Berkens.
Bostonmarathonrelief.com claims to be raising $25,000 benefiting the American Red Cross (ARC). As of this writing, $20 has been donated. A spokeswoman for ARC told The NonProfit Times that the site is in no way affiliated with the organization. The site is registered to a man in Fort Worth, Tex.
Scams also appeared on social networking platforms. Shortly after the bombings, a Twitter handle masquerading as an official account of the Boston Marathon sent out a tweet claiming it would donate $1 to victims for every retweet. The account, @_BostonMarathon, was suspended by Twitter, according to The Huffington Post.
“Tragedies inspire people to give,” H. Art Taylor, president and CEO of Better Business Bureaus Wise Giving Alliance, said in a press release, “but, tragedies –- whether natural disasters or manmade catastrophes –- also inspire scammers to take advantage of that generosity. Social media, in particular, makes it very easy to reach a lot of people quickly, when emotions are running high and people feel the need to take action, any action, to help.”
Charity scams after national tragedies are not exactly a new phenomenon. After the Newtown, Conn., shootings resulted in the death of six-year old Noah Ponzer, an e-mail was sent to individuals asking for donations that would be sent to Ponzer's family. Upon learning of the bogus solicitations, Ponzer's uncle alerted authorities who put an end to the scam.
According to the Internet news site TheDomains, more than 20 of the 125 domains that were registered after the bombings appear to be illegitimate. Michael Berkens, editor of TheDomains, wrote in his piece that many of these sites, such as Bostonmarathonrelief.com, have been registered by individuals rather than legitimate charities.
“While we don’t know every registrants' intention, we do know historically that many of the domain names registered immediately after were done to get traffic and make money parking domains or worse,” wrote Berkens.
Bostonmarathonrelief.com claims to be raising $25,000 benefiting the American Red Cross (ARC). As of this writing, $20 has been donated. A spokeswoman for ARC told The NonProfit Times that the site is in no way affiliated with the organization. The site is registered to a man in Fort Worth, Tex.
Scams also appeared on social networking platforms. Shortly after the bombings, a Twitter handle masquerading as an official account of the Boston Marathon sent out a tweet claiming it would donate $1 to victims for every retweet. The account, @_BostonMarathon, was suspended by Twitter, according to The Huffington Post.
“Tragedies inspire people to give,” H. Art Taylor, president and CEO of Better Business Bureaus Wise Giving Alliance, said in a press release, “but, tragedies –- whether natural disasters or manmade catastrophes –- also inspire scammers to take advantage of that generosity. Social media, in particular, makes it very easy to reach a lot of people quickly, when emotions are running high and people feel the need to take action, any action, to help.”
Charity scams after national tragedies are not exactly a new phenomenon. After the Newtown, Conn., shootings resulted in the death of six-year old Noah Ponzer, an e-mail was sent to individuals asking for donations that would be sent to Ponzer's family. Upon learning of the bogus solicitations, Ponzer's uncle alerted authorities who put an end to the scam.
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Coverage Of The Boston Marathon Bombings
No doubt you have already heard about the tragic bombings at the Boston Marathon yesterday that claimed three lives and left hundreds others injured. Our thoughts go out to the victims and their families.
If you are looking for additional coverage of the incident, you can read our latest story here. You can also see our initial article hours after the bombings here. Stay tuned to NPT for additional coverage of the Boston Marathon bombings.
If you are looking for additional coverage of the incident, you can read our latest story here. You can also see our initial article hours after the bombings here. Stay tuned to NPT for additional coverage of the Boston Marathon bombings.
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