Financial assistance following the September 11 attacks
| Company type | Non-profit organization |
|---|---|
| Industry | Charity, Disaster relief |
| Founded | 2001 |
| Products | Disaster relief funds, blood donations |
Charitable organizations and relief groups amassed more than $657 million within the first three weeks after the September 11, 2001 attacks, with the majority of funds directed toward immediate aid for survivors and the families of victims.
Government support
On September 21, 2001, Congress passed legislation to provide assistance to the airline sector and create a federal compensation fund for those affected. The total expenditure of this fund reached $7 billion. Individuals impacted by previous terrorist incidents, including those related to al-Qaida, as well as claimants who chose not to relinquish legal actions against airlines, were not eligible.
American Red Cross
Following the attacks, the American Red Cross' Liberty Fund collected $547 million in donations. Contributions were suspended in October 2001 after the organization announced that these resources would be allocated for both immediate relief and ongoing support for victims. Initially, up to $247 million was designated for future terrorism preparedness; however, after public criticism, all funds were redirected exclusively to aid victims.
By February 2002, roughly $200 million had been distributed to more than 30,000 workers who had lost their jobs. In addition, between September 11 and October 30, 2001, the Red Cross secured nearly 1.2 million units of blood donations.
Additional charitable initiatives
- In the Washington, D.C. region (Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area), Giant Food committed to matching customer donations made in stores up to a total of $1 million.
- The Windows of Hope Family Relief Fund was created to assist families of the 79 employees from the Windows on the World restaurant.
- Arista Records reissued Whitney Houston's rendition of "The Star Spangled Banner" as a charity single, with all proceeds benefiting firefighters and victims. Similarly, Mariah Carey released a charity single titled "Never Too Far/Hero Medley" under the Virgin Records label.
- In Ireland, the National Fire Brigade Committee initiated a disaster relief fund supporting families impacted by the events.
- Pop artist Britney Spears contributed $1 from each ticket sold during her Dream Within a Dream Tour (2001–2002) to assist children of deceased firefighters, police officers, and EMT personnel.
Relief materials
Between September 14 and 15, 2001, emergency supplies for the World Trade Center relief effort were gathered from across New York City and transported to both the Javits Convention Center and a distribution center at Union Square. By Saturday morning, enough resources and volunteers had been assembled to support ongoing relief operations.
Memorial initiatives
In remembrance of their loved ones, numerous families and friends of victims founded memorial funds and projects aimed at community support and fostering positive change, including:
- Beyond the 11th
- The Peter M. Goodrich Memorial Foundation
- Our Voices Together
- September 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows
- Heroic Choices (formerly known as the Todd M. Beamer Foundation)
- Tuesday's Children