A conversation for funders on reforms for disaster assistance to help survivors recover faster


3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT

On April 4, 2024, the Center for Disaster Philanthropy and the Federal Emergency Management Agency hosted a call about FEMA’s reforms for disaster assistance to help survivors recover faster. This webinar was aimed at helping funders and other philanthropic partners understand the impact of the changes on their giving strategies.

With the increased frequency of extreme weather events fueled by climate change, these updates will provide survivors with faster and easier access to resources they need after disasters. FEMA developed these new forms of assistance based on direct feedback from survivors and in response to threats the nation faces due to our changing climate. These reforms will create more equitable outcomes for all communities by increasing accessibility and eligibility for post-disaster support.

For decades, FEMA has collected feedback from disaster survivors, communities, and stakeholders, including public comments the agency solicited in 2021 on improving the Individual Assistance program. State partners and members of Congress have echoed these concerns and pressed for simpler, more straightforward programs to assist individuals across the country as they recover. These reforms are in response to these requests. You can learn more about the changes here.

Panelists:

This webinar was co-sponsored by the Council on Foundations, Giving Compass, Philanthropy New York, The Funders Network, United Philanthropy Forum, Funders Together to End Homelessness and Philanthropy California.

Please read the recap on Giving Compass to learn more.

Photo: FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance teams begin registering Hawaii wildfire survivors for assistance in Maui, Hawaii, Aug. 14, 2023. (FEMA photo by Dominick Del Vecchio/Released)