PHILADELPHIA — The Center for High Impact Philanthropy at the University of Pennsylvania has created a series of online briefs to provide up-to-date information about smart philanthropic ways to help Haiti’s earthquake victims.

“Haiti: How Can I Help?,” “Cutting Through the Noise: Effective Donor Help During the Immediate Relief Phase” and “High Impact Technology in Disaster Relief” are available at http://blog.impact.upenn.edu.

Technology has made donating easier and faster, but it may be difficult to understand how charitable giving can have a long-lasting impact. It also may be a challenge to identify organizations that are well positioned to help with immediate needs, such as food, water, shelter and medical assistance.

“The devastation in Haiti has been matched with an outpouring of generosity,” Katherina Rosqueta, the executive director of the Center, said. “We are working to make sure those dollars and good intentions actually result in impact –- both now and for the longer-term.”

The Center for High Impact Philanthropy is a multi-disciplinary resource established by alumni of Penn’s Wharton School and housed at the School of Social Policy & Practice. It provides independent analysis and decision-making tools for ensuring that philanthropic dollars have the greatest possible impact.