How to Help Japan

The destruction, death, fear and chaos in Japan right now are almost unimaginable, yet brought to us with gripping immediacy via web videos and TV. As people along the U.S. Pacific coast assess local damage from last week’s tsunami, and generally sigh in relief, thoughts focus on Japan.

We’ve compiled a list of nonprofit organizations providing relief in Japan. Check their websites for details.

Unfortunately, natural disasters bring out all kinds of requests for donations. Many are legitimate, but not all. Here’s a list of nonprofit organizations with handy online tools for checking the reputation of charitable organizations. If you’re unsure of a group asking for your help, these are ways you may be able to learn more.

• Charity Navigator 
• GuideStar 
• Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance

• American Red Cross
• Care
• Doctors Without Borders
• Global Giving
• International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
• Rotary
• The Salvation Army
• Save the Children
• World Vision

• Google person finder in Japan
• Google crisis response page

Local helping efforts are also springing up, and many are working with larger relief organizations. Let us know about any local fundraising efforts in San Anselmo and Fairfax by posting them in the comments, so we can help spread the word.