Disasters bring out the best in people. Donations to charities surge as television coverage increases. Yet we know from experience that both coordination and effective spending of donor dollars is a particular challenge, not just while the disaster is underway, but also in the long-term, as rebuilding begins. As families and communities begin to clean up and consider how long their power will be out, private philanthropists turn their attention to the question, “How can I help?”

CDP offers these 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 we have yet to truly understand the impact that this storm has had on people’s lives. Be patient in planning for disaster funding. Recovery will take a long time, and funding will be needed throughout.
• Recognize that there are places private philanthropy can help that government agencies might not: With the increase in extreme weather events, the government cannot fully fund recovery. What’s more, private funders have opportunities to develop innovation solutions to help 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, you can look for ways to tie disaster funding into 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, since the storm covered such a large geographic area.
• 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 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 policy and procedure. 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. What’s more, local community foundations have insights into NGOs that are best suited to respond in a particular community.