Palisadian Provides Help With Emergency Response in Nepal

By ALEXANDRIA BORDAS | Reporter

After spending three years circumnavigating the world by sailboat, Palisadian Jason Windebank is continuing to think globally from his Brentwood office at Focusing Philanthropy. (A front-page article detailing Windebank’s voyage, “Brothers Complete Three-Year Sailing Voyage Around the World,” appeared in the March 26, 2015 issue of the Post.)

Focusing Philanthropy responded to the devastating 7.8 earthquake in Nepal on April 25 as quickly as possible with on-the-ground aid, according to Windebank.

Now they are doubling their efforts to respond to a magnitude 7.3 earthquake that struck Nepal on Tuesday, May 12.

Focusing Philanthropy works with specially chosen non-profits to provide resources to countries in the most remote parts of the world. One of their missions is to cater to the needs of donors to ensure all contributions are actively making a positive difference in communities of need.

Windebank, who works on the Operating Team at Focusing Philanthropy, said that in the immediate days following the earthquake they were getting calls from all directions.

“Many people, including a handful of Palisadians, came to us without a clue of what to do to help out,” Windebank said. “It was an emergency situation in an area we work in so our first response was to fundraise.”

Because of the damage to roads caused by the earthquake, getting supplies to rural communities has been difficult. Despite all of this, non-profits based in Nepal that are affiliated with Focusing Philanthropy are forging ahead and making headway in reaching isolated towns.

“We are working with non-profits that are assisting with emergency response,” Windebank said. “We know these organizations and they are our trusted partners and we have faith they will do the best work they can in Nepal.”

Windebank and his team work with three Nepal-based non-profits: SEVA works to restore eyesight through specialty surgeries; Basic Needs provides care to mental health patients; and Charity: Water provides clean and safe drinking water in developing countries.

After the earthquake flattened buildings across the country killing nearly 8,000 people thus far, the non-profits have shifted their efforts toward providing emergency services and rebuilding efforts.

“They are helping with delivering supplies, setting up tents for homeless families and assessing the needs of those in outlying communities,” Windebank said. “These spectacular organizations jumped right in and came up with a plan of action.”

Focusing Philanthropy handles mid-size donations for those looking to make direct contributions to non-profits whose focus is in three areas: increasing income, building community infrastructure and achieving self-sufficiency.

“We work with donors to see where specifically their contributions will make the most difference and we support them through the whole process,” Windebank said. “With all eyes on Nepal, 100 percent of third party donations go directly to Nepal to support efforts in the way we all agree is the most beneficial.”

For more information, visit www.focusingphilanthropy.org/index.asp or call 310-826-8900.