It's not always clear how to develop a strategy for disaster philanthropy for high-impact donors. The Center for Disaster Philanthropy recently held a webinar titled “Hurricane Helene: How funders can support recovery,” to help donors make more informed decisions. The panel featured experts in disaster relief and philanthropy:

  • Patty McIlreavy, president and CEO of the Center for Disaster Philanthropy
  • Jose Garcia, CEO, Rebuilding Together Tampa Bay Philanthropy 
  • Debra Jacobs, president and CEO, The Patterson Foundation
  • Reverend Ryan Eller, executive director, the Appalachia Funders Network

During the webinar, the panel discussed the impact of Hurricane Helene, which made landfall in Florida in late September 2024, highlighting how donors can invest funds to support community needs. 

No two disasters are the same, and every response effort should be tailored to the needs of the specific communities. However, by following a few basic principles, donors develop more informed giving plans so they are ready to support those affected in meaningful ways when disaster strikes. 

Every Donor is a Disaster Donor

No matter what cause you care about — the environment, health, education — it’s likely to be affected by disasters. For example, a flood may close daycare centers, impacting access to high-quality early education and care. A wildfire could necessitate animal rescue efforts. 

As McIlreavy pointed out, there are also the layers of a crisis to consider. Donors interested in social justice and equity or structural change should consider how disasters have disproportionate impacts on people who are already marginalized or have fewer economic resources.

Jacobs encouraged donors to think about the type of funder they want to be, noting there are roles for people who want to provide assistance for immediate needs, recovery, and disaster preparation. Knowing your role and where your existing passions intersect with disaster relief can guide your donations.  

Build Community Power

When identifying what a community needs and how relief will be delivered, the speakers emphasized the need to let local people take the lead.

McIlreavy offered a few questions high-impact donors can ask about their disaster philanthropy including:

  • What do you want?
  • What makes the most sense for you? 
  • How do we explore the challenge? 
  • How can I help you?

Asking these questions opens the door for community members to lead the conversation and ensures you are participating in trust-based philanthropy. Taking these steps can be challenging and may require you to question your own assumptions. In response to Hurricane Helene, Eller and others started the Appalachian Helene Response Fund, initially directing money to mutual aid organizations that provided people with cash. He said some funders were uncomfortable skipping grant applications and formal protocols, but cash assistance was what people needed most. “Folks closest to the ground know,” he said while encouraging a trust-based philanthropy approach.    

High-impact donors can also use a trust-based, locally-centered in their disaster philanthropy when developing recovery strategies. It’s common for people outside of an area to question investments in rebuilding in a disaster-prone region. The speakers pointed out those questions are counter-productive. Individuals in affected areas may not have the resources to move. Even if they have the means to relocate, few areas, if any, are fully protected from all disasters.

“It's not for us to tell communities where they should live. It's for us to help communities live where they are and be prepared for what's coming because there are many ways that disasters or events are hitting,” said McIlreavy. 

Plan Your Disaster Response Volunteer Efforts

If you want to volunteer, Garcia recommended checking local nonprofit websites first. 

He said organizations often initially respond by collecting donations of water and other essential items to distribute or by collecting the names of volunteers to reach out to later. 

Traveling to an area to volunteer without a connection to a nonprofit can be dangerous and stress local resources. An area may be unsafe or hazardous to be right after an event, leaving you vulnerable to injury. Additionally, having outside people in an area recovering from a disaster stretches valuable resources like water supplies and emergency response even further.

Think Long-Term

The outpouring of philanthropy from high-impact donors right after a disaster can be tremendous. These kinds of relief efforts are critical in helping community members with immediate needs and during harsh circumstances. The experts called on donors to keep that support going and consider investments in recovery and resiliency efforts, with Jacobs saying specifically, “Funders have a responsibility to take a long-term view.”

Long-term support can take many forms, including:

  • Supporting infrastructure improvements
  • Advocating for systemic change
  • Investing in sustainable, affordable housing

Garcia shared how his organization doesn’t just simply repair homes, they make homes resilient. Resilient homes, built with quality materials, minimize the chance community members will experience problems, like homelessness or costly repairs, after the next disaster. The approach connects back to the idea that every donor is a disaster donor, linking sustainable, high-quality, affordable housing and disaster preparedness. When homes are accessible to everyone and built to last, it can help reduce future challenges. 

Jacobs added that many rebuilding efforts take not just weeks or months but years. Ongoing support from donors can help ensure that those efforts are successful and help bring communities back to where they are or make them even better by involving community voices in decision-making and addressing historical, ongoing challenges. 

Develop a Disaster Donor Response Strategy

Having a plan in place allows you to act quickly and effectively when disasters occur. Consider:

  • What type of funder do you want to be? (Immediate relief, recovery, or preparation)
  • How do your existing interests align with disaster relief?
  • What's your approach to community-led giving?

By thinking through these questions now, you'll be better prepared to respond when the next disaster strikes.

For more information and resources, visit the Center for Disaster Philanthropy website.