Cost and Benefits
There are many costs associated with forest fires and many organizations have been designed to help control financial distribution. The San Diego Foundation plays a large role in providing financial assistance. In 2003 nearly 3,500 structures were destroyed due to forest fires. The After the Fire Fund was established to receive donations in order to make grants to non-profit organizations that engaged in disaster relief. Costs associated with forest fires include health and human services, environmental damages, rebuilding communities, and restoring land.
There are many legal restrictions when it comes to distributing costs; these include accounting requirements, designing criteria, and processes to select and verify recipients of the funds. Some organizations need help distributing funds so it is recommended that donations be made to specific non-profit organizations, such as LEAD San Diego, to demonstrate the best practices and lessons learned. It has been suggested that other organizations, such as The Foundation as the Center for Charitable Giving, should create guidelines for funds to achieve their charitable purpose; communities want to use the Foundations methods rather than their own so it will be effective. Guidelines are helpful because although organizations attempt to evenly and fairly distribute money there are tensions among groups. Money is not always evenly distributed to neighborhoods, consumer and merchants, family matters, small businesses, and land lord/tenant issues. This brings on horizontal disputes (groups with different opinions). Unfortunately there is not always a method for solving these disputes and about 80% of mediations end with a voluntary agreement between the parties involved.
Although costs would seem to bring more problems to the people of San Diego they also come with few benefits. For example the community is able to come together; there are certain events that take place to celebrate and mark progress made in forest fire relief. There is also increased communication and shared knowledge throughout the community. People are able to share helpful information by organizing work shops and other such events to better prepare citizens for forest fires and what actions should be taken.
There are many legal restrictions when it comes to distributing costs; these include accounting requirements, designing criteria, and processes to select and verify recipients of the funds. Some organizations need help distributing funds so it is recommended that donations be made to specific non-profit organizations, such as LEAD San Diego, to demonstrate the best practices and lessons learned. It has been suggested that other organizations, such as The Foundation as the Center for Charitable Giving, should create guidelines for funds to achieve their charitable purpose; communities want to use the Foundations methods rather than their own so it will be effective. Guidelines are helpful because although organizations attempt to evenly and fairly distribute money there are tensions among groups. Money is not always evenly distributed to neighborhoods, consumer and merchants, family matters, small businesses, and land lord/tenant issues. This brings on horizontal disputes (groups with different opinions). Unfortunately there is not always a method for solving these disputes and about 80% of mediations end with a voluntary agreement between the parties involved.
Although costs would seem to bring more problems to the people of San Diego they also come with few benefits. For example the community is able to come together; there are certain events that take place to celebrate and mark progress made in forest fire relief. There is also increased communication and shared knowledge throughout the community. People are able to share helpful information by organizing work shops and other such events to better prepare citizens for forest fires and what actions should be taken.
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