On February 3, 2010, “Hope for Haiti Now” distributed $35M as the first installment of funds raised through the telethon: “Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief.”  Six of the telethon beneficiaries (Oxfam America, Partners In Health, the American Red Cross, UNICEF, United Nations World Food Programme, and Yele Haiti Foundation) submitted proposals last week. After an intensive review process and guidance from the "Hope for Haiti Now" Advisory Committee and Bridgespan, a management consulting group that advises non-profits; the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF), the 501(c)(3) organization providing pro bono philanthropic support and HFHN are allocating $35 million to begin funding both immediate disaster relief and reconstruction and recovery efforts in Haiti. The next allocation of funds is planned for May after all donations have been received. (Funds pledged will continue to be collected for the next 60 - 90 days.)

EIF, MTV Networks and George Clooney, the telethon’s principal organizer, are committed to ensuring that the donated funds are quickly and effectively put to use in Haiti. As part of the grant allocations, "Hope for Haiti Now" is providing specific descriptions of how each organization will use funds for relief efforts and immediate rebuilding initiatives. The organizations receiving funds at this time were selected as beneficiaries for their history of operation and collaboration within the nongovernmental organization (NGO) community in Haiti. One beneficiary, the newly formed Clinton Bush Haiti Fund, will request funds in the next round to go to recovery and rebuilding efforts.

"In less than two weeks since the telethon, the first $35 million raised is en route to address dire needs in Haiti -- to provide food, water, shelter, medical care and other vital resources. The counsel of our advisory committee members was critical in rapidly getting us to this point. We are extremely grateful to them for their time and expert guidance, and to everyone who donated so generously," said George Clooney.

For more information read the full press release