CDP Kicks Off New Year

The beginning of the year is a good time to take the opportunity to reflect and look at the year ahead and what needs to be accomplished. Many people will commemorate the beginning with resolutions, goals, and new projects, and the Center for Disaster Philanthropy is no different.
This month, we launch our Disaster Philanthropy Playbook, created jointly with the Council of New Jersey Grantmakers, and in association with the Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers.  We see The Disaster Philanthropy Playbook as a dynamic resource that collects best practices and innovative approaches to help guide the philanthropic community in steps you can take before, during and after future disasters.
The Playbook is designed as a practical resource, filled with lessons learned and how-tos. It’s also customizable, meaning that organizations or individuals can create an account and then save the pieces of the Playbook that are applicable to their work so it is all in one place and easy to access and use when needed.
I hope you’ll join us for our webinar at 1 p.m. ET on January 20 and learn more about how we developed the Playbook, how you can use it, and how we plan to expand it in the coming year. You can register here.
January also finds us at the beginning of work conducted through the CDP Global Refugee Crisis Fund. This developing situation was one of the defining humanitarian crises of 2015, and we expect that it will continue to be a top priority for many years to come.  We’d welcome your suggestions on how we can be most effective in supporting refugees.
We are also monitoring with concern the flood situation occurring in several states. While we anticipate that the crisis points of this disaster and the response to it will be largely local, we look forward to finding ways to support these affected communities.
Beginnings are a wonderful time, full of excitement. What are you beginning this year that most excites you?