In recognition of the first week of the 2016 hurricane season, CCP President Maggie Gunther Osborn, gives her pitch to be prepared:
If our recent history in Connecticut and around the world tell us anything it is that disaster does not discriminate and whether natural or man-made, their frequency is increasing. So how should philanthropy be prepared? Does philanthropy play a unique role in responding? We invite you to take a moment and think about these questions and to access some resources in recognition of the first week of the 2016 hurricane season.
Much was learned in our regional response to Hurricane Sandy and in partnership with the Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers and the Center for Disaster Philanthropy a playbook for the field was created. There are also other writings in the field that help address the importance of working to be resilient communities and sustainable infrastructure in preparation for when disaster strikes. Here are a few other key thoughts or ideas for you to begin making your disaster philanthropy plan:
- Work with your board and staff to develop a Disaster Funding Policy – know when and how you will respond based on agreed upon values and criteria so that emotional decisions are not made that might put your current funding strategies and investments at risk. Are you a locally based foundation that will respond only when local communities are impacted? Do you have a unique role in responding because of your mission?
- Have a discussion about the data surrounding disaster response and the fact that the majority of funding comes in within the first days and weeks surrounding a disaster. Should philanthropy wait until the individual charitable response lessens but need remains to begin funding? Following the tragedy at Sandy Hook or Superstorm Sandy, there was much need for mental health counseling and longer term recovery and yet the initial resources had been dispersed or were targeted for other uses. Is this the unique space in disaster relief that philanthropy should occupy?
- Think about and determine what role might philanthropy play in preparedness investment that allows for the building of systems, relationships and communities to withstand disasters beyond what government can or should do; ensures resiliency and equity in community so that all people will be equally prepared and equitable served in times of disaster and is of a size that is appropriate to the resources and influence of your foundation and Connecticut’s philanthropic sector.
Please make this the subject of board and staff discussions, developing policy for your organization before you need to respond. Stay safe and keep on doing great work in service to the public good.
DISASTER PHILANTHROPY RESOURCES
The Disaster Philanthropy Playbook is an online compilation of philanthropic strategies, best practices and lessons learned that have saved and galvanized local economies, nonprofits, and vulnerable populations from entering into a permanent downward spiral in the wake of a disaster. The Playbook is a joint project of the Center for Disaster Philanthropy and the Council of New Jersey Grantmakers in association with the Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers. The strategies, lessons learned, and impact stories contained throughout the site will be of maximum benefit to the national social sector, funders, individual philanthropists, and nonprofit organizations.
The Disaster Philanthropy Playbook Tip Sheet is a handy list of actions funders can take to help their communities prepare, respond and recover from major disasters. The top item on Preparedness is developing and adopting a Preparedness Plan for your organization including: an internal business continuity plan for if a disaster effects your organization, and an external plan which includes how and when your organization will respond to a disaster and at what level (includes funding, product donations, in-kind support and resources).
The Center for Disaster Philanthropy annually partners with Foundation Center to present the interactive dashboard, Measuring the State of Disaster Philanthropy, which provides an analysis of disaster-related funding by foundations, governments, corporations, and individuals. The data presented here illuminate funding trends, expose some of the imbalances in where and when contributions are made, and can help donors make more strategic decisions about their investments in the full life cycle of disasters, including preparedness and recovery efforts.