About this collection: This NCFP Content Collection provides introductory resources and more detailed advice on disaster preparedness and response strategies from our colleagues at the Center for Disaster Philanthropy.
Natural disasters occur with disturbing frequency. Family philanthropists are often on the front line in responding to them. Strategic disaster-related giving requires an understanding of the nuances of the disaster life cycle, from risk reduction through long-term recovery, and the timely planning of gifts that make the most of available resources, cut down on duplication of efforts, and offer more than a quick fix for communities affected by disasters. This NCFP Content Collection provides introductory resources and more detailed advice on disaster preparedness and response strategies from our colleagues at the Center for Disaster Philanthropy. Know of other good resources to include here? Please suggest a resource.
Center for Disaster Philanthropy: Principles of Disaster Giving
NCFP’s long-time Content Partner, the Center for Disaster Philanthropy, offers donors and families the following basic tips for disaster giving:
Take the long view. Even while focusing on immediate needs, remember that it will take some time for the full range of needs to emerge. Power loss, transportation outages and flood-damaged homes may be top of mind, but it takes a while to truly understand the impact that the disaster has had on people’s lives. Be patient in planning for disaster funding. Recovery will take a long time and flexible funding will be needed throughout.
Recognize there are places private philanthropy can help that government agencies might not. With the increase in extreme weather events, governments cannot fully fund recovery. Therefore, private funders have opportunities to develop innovative solutions to help with recovery efforts and to prevent or mitigate future disasters that the government cannot execute.
All funders are disaster philanthropists. Even if your organization does not work in a particular geographic area or fund immediate relief efforts, there are ways to align disaster funding with your existing mission. If you focus on education, health, children or vulnerable populations, disasters present prime opportunities.
Support the sharing of best practices. Florida, for example, has developed stringent building codes to mitigate destruction from hurricanes. Interested donors could help support the transfer of expertise from one region to another before the next disaster occurs. Another area for best practices research and sharing — efforts to coordinate volunteers as well as the distribution of supplies.
Connect with other funders. Collaborative philanthropic response to the disaster leverages combined expertise and maximizes the value of the human, financial and technical resources donated. The Center for Disaster Philanthropy works closely with community foundations, regional associations, funders and responding nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) to share trustworthy information and analysis.
Look to past disasters for guidance. There are often lessons learned that could be used to create better policies and procedures. Consider funding disaster risk-reduction research or projects that could inform more effective disaster preparation and response policy.
Ask the experts. If you are considering supporting an organization that is positioned to work in an affected area, do some research. The Center for Disaster Philanthropy, National Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters, and Interaction have lists of organizations working in affected communities. In addition, local community foundations have insights into NGOs that are best suited to respond in a particular community.
If you are considering supporting an organization that is positioned to work in an affected area, do some research. The Center for Disaster Philanthropy, National Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters, and Interaction have lists of organizations working in affected communities. In addition, local community foundations have insights into NGOs that are best suited to respond in a particular community.
This report looks at lessons learned from two decades of disaster relief and recovery grantmaking at the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation. Between 1989 and 2011, the Foundation awarded more than $21 million to support relief and recovery programs across the United States and around the world.
At CAF America, we support donors who want to build long-term partnerships with local organizations and create meaningful impact, anywhere in the world. This model is particularly relevant when communities we grant to are impacted by natural disasters, political crises, or other emergencies. After responding to the many global emergencies…
In the early days following a disaster, philanthropists naturally want to take action. With communities broken and people suffering, the call to give is compelling. If ever philanthropy should step up to help, many donors believe, it is in such times of dire and unexpected need.
Like a lot of smaller funders, the 20-year-old McCarthy Family Foundation operated out of Treasurer Tim McCarthy’s home office. He learned a lot of important lessons about disasters the hard way after his home was among the hundreds of properties destroyed in the October 2007 San Diego wildfires. The foundation…
Family Philanthropy's Response to Current and Past Disasters
At moments like this, with crises and disasters unfolding across the globe, we know philanthropic families are looking for ways to respond. When faced with a complex humanitarian disaster such as the war in Ukraine, it can be challenging to know where to start. In keeping with NCFP’s commitment to…
Keeping their hands on the pulse of Ukrainian philanthropy, the Zagoriy Foundation conducted this qualitative study of the sector during the full-scale war to identify the main changes and contribute to effective development and support of the sector.
As the world faces one of the largest refugee crises since World War II, understanding how to fund effective solutions has proven to be a difficult, complex task.
The Center for Disaster Philanthropy hosted “The European Refugee Crisis: How Funders Can Help,” a webinar, on Sept. 15. Panelists were Bob Kitchen, International Rescue Committee; Shelly Pitterman, UNHCR; Ed Cain, Conrad N. Hilton Foundation; and Michael Fields, Xylem Watermark.
When Karen and Jim Ansara contacted the Boston Foundation on January 14, 2010 to talk about how their family’s donor advised fund could best respond to the earthquakes in Haiti – which had happened less than 48 hours before – they were continuing both a longstanding commitment to international philanthropy,…
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