From rappers to NASCAR, it seems everyone, from individuals to multinationals and other countries, are digging deep into their wallets to help in the Katrina relief effort.

Following up on their Tsunami Relief efforts, even former Presidents Clinton and George H.W. Bush are on the road again with the Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund, which serves ” as an umbrella organization for the three special funds established by Governors of Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi and will focus on collecting donations to assist in the long-term recovery plan for the states affected by this terrible tragedy.” Wal-Mart has already contributed $15M to that campaign, and the Walton family has added another $8M.

Microsoft has chipped in with nearly $1M in case and the loaning of three buses equipped with satellite systems to aid in emergency situations. The company also worked with the American Red Cross to launch a website to help Katrina survivors locate each other. According to this article, ‘The site, which can be reached at either Katrinasafe.org or Katrinasafe.com, received more than 1,000 inquiries within the first 24 hours of going online. Instead of months, the folks in Redmond put the database together in four days.

‘The Intel Foundation has pledged $1 million to the American Red Cross, and would match employee contributions during the month of September, according to this article. The American Red Cross site has information about both companies and individuals who have contributed to their relief efforts.

Nissan North America, who was forced to stop production at their assembly plant in Canton, Mississippi, said it would donate $500,000 in cash to the American Red Cross and also provided 50 full-size trucks to the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency to assist in recovery efforts. General Motors, according to this piece, donated 25 cars and trucks to the Red Cross. I would think that GM could have sent hundreds of Tahoes and Suburbans; with skyrocketing fuel costs, they’re just sitting around taking up space anyway. Ford Motor Company has ‘dispatched approximately $2M worth of used trucks, vans, and SUVs into the hurricane-ravaged areas of Louisiana and Mississippi.’ That press release continues, ‘About 150 Ford, Mercury, and Lincoln vehicles from regional auctions were donated by Ford to the relief operations.’ (Hopefully, the donated vehicles were not part of Ford’s latest recall of 3.8 million pickup trucks and SUVs involving a faulty cruise control switch and potential engine fires.) Toyota companies announced a $5M contribution to Katrina relief (and also recalled nearly a million SUVs and pickups because a piece of steering linkage could fracture. I’ll take the engine fire, thank you.). DaimlerChrysler—along with Mercedes-Benz USA and Freightliner—has committed $1.1M.

Illinois-based pharmaceutical company Abbott Laboratories is giving $2M in cash and at least $2M in nutritional and medical products. Also on the pharm side, Wyeth planned to donate antibiotics and nonprescription pain relievers, while Merck & Co. planned to send antibiotics and hepatitis A vaccines. Eli Lilly & Co. prepared to send 40,000 vials of refrigerated insulin, and pledged at least $1M in cash to the Red Cross.

Manufacturing leader Siemens deployed ‘critical infrastructure equipment, including power generators to Houston and Louisiana and telecommunications equipment to emergency centers and key hubs.’ According to this article in Modern Materials Handling, they’re also sending USFilter water treatment equipment to the Gulf Coast, and heart monitors and imaging equipment to Houston hospitals. General Electric promised $18M. Industrial distribution giant Grainger has donated over $1M of supplies and cash to the Red Cross. Donation activities from other manufacturing and industrial leaders have been strangely quiet. If you see such references, please pass them along.

Oil companies were arguably the hardest hit industry in Katrina’s path. While arguably in the best financial position to weather the storm, those companies have made considerable relief efforts. ExxonMobil announced a $7M commitment for hurricane relief. Chevon Corp. committed $5M. Marathon Oil and Shell Oil are contributing $1.5M and $2M, respectively.

Internationally, support for Katrina disaster relief has been incredibly positive. It’s also interesting to note, for example, Cuba’s offer to send 1,500 doctors who are ‘ready to leave at a moment’s notice’ to provide free services to Katrina victims. Hm. Interesting offer and, a week later—even after Condoleeza Rice’s comment that no offer will be refused—the administration hasn’t responded. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, undaunted by the Christian Coalition’s Pat Robertson’s call for his assassination, offered drinking water, food, and fuel to communities hit by the hurricane. Seems the Christian thing to do.