Frequently Asked Questions
What is AmeriCares?
To what types of needs does AmeriCares respond?
How does AmeriCares obtain its relief supplies?
How much of my financial donation directly helps people in need?
How does AmeriCares maintain such a low overhead?
How are financial contributions used?
How do we ensure that the supplies reach those in need?
Does AmeriCares have any long-term health care programs?
Does AmeriCares work in the United States?
What is Camp AmeriKids?
What are AmeriCares Free Clinics?
What is AmeriCares HomeFront?
Can I make a donation of food, clothing or medicines to AmeriCares?
Can I volunteer with AmeriCares in the U.S. or overseas?
Can I make a donation directly through your website?
What is AmeriCares?AmeriCares is a nonprofit disaster relief and humanitarian aid organization which provides immediate response to emergency medical needs—and supports long-term humanitarian assistance programs—for all people around the world, irrespective of race, creed or political persuasion. Since its inception in 1982, AmeriCares has delivered more than
$9 Billion
worth of medical relief supplies to 137 countries.
To what types of needs does AmeriCares respond?
AmeriCares delivers immediate relief to survivors of natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, volcanic eruptions, tidal waves, tornadoes and famine, and also responds to human suffering arising from man-made political strife and war. In addition, we are dedicated to providing free medicines and medical supplies on an ongoing basis to hospitals, clinics and health care programs serving poor communities worldwide.
back to top
How does AmeriCares obtain its relief supplies?
AmeriCares receives ongoing donations of medicines, medical supplies and other relief materials from some of the nation's most highly respected pharmaceutical companies as well as other corporations. We secure these donations in our three warehouses, one each in the U.S., Europe and India, and make them available for immediate shipment. When a disaster strikes, AmeriCares relief experts work with partners in the affected area to assess the medical and humanitarian needs. That “needs list” is matched against the warehouse inventory and, if further provisions are needed, staff members contact corporate donors for the additional supplies.
Over the years, more than 1,000 corporate donors have partnered with AmeriCares to provide life-saving aid in the form of medicines, vitamins, surgical and hospital equipment, blankets, milk products, food, disaster relief supplies, water purifiers, tents, vaccines and diapers.
back to top
How much of my financial donation directly helps people in need?
AmeriCares is strongly committed to fiscal responsibility and careful stewardship of our donors’ dollars. We receive the highest possible marks from Charity Navigator and the Better Business Bureau's BBB Wise Giving Alliance, two of the major "charity watchdogs" that monitor fiscal responsibility. More than 99% of AmeriCares total expenses directly support programs and relief for people in need – and less than 1% represent administrative and fundraising costs.
back to top
How does AmeriCares maintain such a low overhead?
We pride ourselves on operating like a small business, and maintaining a highly streamlined and close-knit team of staff and volunteers who develop and implement the programs. This low overhead, combined with in-kind and cash donations, allows every donated dollar to be leveraged several fold. Through efficient and expeditious distribution of donations, AmeriCares is able to achieve remarkable results.
back to top
How are financial contributions used?
AmeriCares relies on financial contributions from individuals, corporations and foundations to deliver relief supplies to people in need. Transportation represents a large share of AmeriCares costs, and our logistics department first solicits donations from airlines and ocean shipping companies and then works to obtain the most cost-efficient cargo rate available. All the relief supplies in the world would be useless if they could not be effectively delivered to those in need. In some instances, AmeriCares relies on financial contributions to purchase medicines, medical supplies or other relief supplies when they are not available for donation through our corporate partners.
back to top
How do we ensure that the supplies reach those in need?
AmeriCares places a huge premium on accurately monitoring the distribution of all of our shipments. We have the know-how and expertise to respond responsibly and efficiently to all disasters. Strong relationships are maintained with highly capable and qualified people and organizations in countries around the world that provide accurate information and effective logistical support. We maintain continual contact with local health care providers in many countries to ensure that the relief supplies are used responsibly. Over the years, invaluable experience has been gained in moving large quantities of medicine safely to areas where transportation is difficult and the political situation unstable. Our world-renowned reputation for accountability has long since earned the confidence of the pharmaceutical and medical supply industries, in addition to our many financial supporters.
back to top
Does AmeriCares have any long-term health care programs?
The majority of AmeriCares activities support permanent, ongoing health care programs in more than 80 countries worldwide, through regular shipments of medicines and medical supplies to hospitals, clinics and community health organizations.
back to top
Does AmeriCares work in the United States?
Yes, AmeriCares works extensively within the U.S., reaching out to people with chronic needs as well as those suffering as a result of natural disasters. Through an ongoing partnership with the National Association of Free Clinics, we provide medicines to help people living without health insurance who otherwise would not be able to afford prescription medications. Our donations, which reach more than 160 clinics in 34 states, include pain relief medicines, treatments for chronic respiratory problems such as asthma, and items such as cough and cold medicines.
AmeriCares also has a long history of responding to natural disasters in the U.S. including hurricanes, floods, wildfires and tornadoes. In times of crisis, we are able to rapidly deliver emergency assistance such as bottled water, non-perishable food items, health and hygiene supplies, and clean-up materials.
In our home state of Connecticut, AmeriCares domestic programs include Camp AmeriKids, AmeriCares Free Clinics and AmeriCares HomeFront.
back to top
What is Camp AmeriKids?
Camp AmeriKids was created in 1995. The mission of Camp AmeriKids is to enhance the lives of children affected by or infected with HIV/AIDS in a traditional camp experience, complemented by off-season programs. The camp is offered at no cost to the families and recruits campers from the tri-state area of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. Doctors and nurses are on staff 24 hours a day throughout the entire session. The goals of the program are to provide respite to the children and their families, and to provide the campers with the opportunity to socialize in a learning environment while exploring new interests. Camp AmeriKids also helps campers transition into adulthood through the Leaders-In-Training program, which offers year-round retreats and cultural field trips to build their life skills.
back to top
What are AmeriCares Free Clinics?
AmeriCares Free Clinics opened its first clinic in November 1994 to serve the medical needs of the working poor. Its mission is to provide free, quality health care to Connecticut's uninsured population while protecting each patient's sense of dignity and self-respect. Currently, there are clinics operating in Norwalk, Bridgeport and the greater Danbury area. AmeriCares Free Clinics recruits volunteer physicians and registered nurses and draws on the resources of community hospitals, laboratories and pharmacies to ensure access to outpatient health care. Each clinic is designed to complement existing services and is tailored to meet specific needs identified in the community.
back to top
What is AmeriCares HomeFront?
AmeriCares founded HomeFront in 1988 and for more than 20 years, AmeriCares HomeFront has helped people in need in Connecticut and New York rehabilitate their homes to make them safe and livable.
The program has been dedicated to “raising spirits and restoring hope” through an annual, volunteer-driven, free day of essential home repairs. Through the hands-on work of thousands of volunteers and the generous support of dozens of product and professional service donors, the program primarily benefited senior citizens living on fixed incomes, people with physical or mental challenges, those facing chronic or life-threatening illnesses, and single parents..
In July 2009, driven by the impact of the global financial downturn on charitable giving, a decision was reluctantly made that AmeriCares would no longer operate the HomeFront program. Instead, we will focus our work on our primary missions of health care initiatives around the world and in the U.S., our medical gift-in-kind model, and emergency response to natural and man-made disasters.
AmeriCares senior leadership and Board of Directors are supporting the HomeFront team’s efforts to find an alternative future so the program can continue to deliver assistance to homeowners in need.
back to top
Can I make a donation of food, clothing or medicines to AmeriCares?
Unfortunately, because of the excessive resources involved in collecting, sorting, warehousing and shipping individually donated supplies, we are unable to accept these donations. The best way to support the AmeriCares mission is through a financial gift or by volunteering your time. Financial contributions are critical to our relief efforts. AmeriCares accepts no government funding; we rely upon private contributions to support our mission. Donor dollars help us with transport and delivery, support the complex logistics involved with getting valuable equipment from one place to another, and purchase medicines when product donations are not available.
back to top
Can I volunteer with AmeriCares in the U.S. or overseas?
AmeriCares does not accept volunteer applications for any of our overseas missions. We do, however, welcome volunteers at our headquarters in Stamford, Conn., to help with administrative duties, community programs, communications, graphic design and special events. Please call 1-800-486-HELP (4357) for more information.
Volunteers are especially needed for our three community programs: AmeriCares Free Clinics, AmeriCares HomeFront and Camp AmeriKids. To learn more, click here.
back to top
Can I make a donation directly through your website?
Yes! The best way to help people in need is through a financial donation to AmeriCares. Your contributions are tax deductible. Please click here to make an online contribution. If you prefer, please contact AmeriCares at
1-800-486-HELP (4357), or send your donation to:
AmeriCares
88 Hamilton Avenue
Stamford, CT 06902
back to top
