Dear Mr. Goddard,

Thank you for contacting the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Our thoughts and sympathies go out to the thousands of people have lost loved ones, homes, and livelihoods in the Gulf Coast Region.

In response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina, the Foundation has just announced a donation of $1.5 million to the American Red Cross.  As you may know, The American Red Cross is taking the lead in providing emergency food and shelter to the victims of Hurricane Katrina.  The Foundation is also in touch with other relief organizations that have people and resources on the ground.

There will be more information on this donation on our web site www.gatesfoundation.org in the next few days.

For information on how you can donate to Hurricane Katrina relief efforts please contact the American Red Cross at www.redcross.org or 1(800) HELP-NOW.

Thank you for your interest in the foundation.  We wish you the best in these difficult times.


Sincerely,

Stephanie Jones
Grants Inquiry Administrator