American Red Cross: a history and analysis

Abstract

We, in this research, provide a detailed history and highlight current operations of the American National Red Cross (ANRC). We analyze the organization's mission, purpose, structure, and relationship with the U.S. government and provide an analysis of its financial status and capabilities and competencies based on the Sphere Project standards in order to inform government organizations and disaster planners. We find that the ANRC generates sufficient revenue to execute relief operations and other services and is efficient and competent in all essential services and capabilities for disaster response. We also find that its fundraising efficiencies are directly tied to the size of domestic disasters the organization responds to in any given year. However, the ANRC is struggling to break even in its biomedical services program.