Three questions to help donors increase impact before, during and after disasters

As 2026 draws to a close, disasters continue to affect communities worldwide at an alarming pace. While many of the year’s disasters made headlines, many more received little public attention, leaving vulnerable communities with fewer resources to prepare for and recover from disasters. 

From an ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo to a glacial lake outburst flood in Nepal and recurring droughts and floods in vulnerable regions of the U.S., some of 2026’s most consequential disasters have continued to unfold largely outside the spotlight. 

For funders, this backdrop raises an increasingly urgent question: As disasters become more frequent, interconnected and costly, where can philanthropy make the greatest difference? 

That question sits at the heart of the State of Disaster Philanthropy, CDP’s annual flagship research product that examines disaster funding patterns, gaps, and opportunities for funders to increase the impact of their giving and engagement.  

We encourage funders to reflect on three questions that can help maximize the impact of their giving: 

1. Are you investing before disasters happen? Making investments in community resilience and recovery before disasters strike generate significant returns for communities while allowing funders to maximize the impact of every dollar. Research shows the value of every dollar invested before a disaster on avoided damage, costs and future economic activity. 

With the rise of climate-driven disasters, there are also clear opportunities for funders to act early. Forecasters are deploying more sophisticated tools to track the historic El Niño as it continues to take shape, offering philanthropy a chance to intervene through anticipatory action, and help communities prepare for and avoid the worst outcomes. There are many examples – particularly from the climate adaptation and resilience community – of forward-looking strategies that can be adopted by funders. 

2. Does your strategy reflect the cumulative and long-term impact of disasters? Historically, disaster philanthropy has been driven by episodic, large-scale events, with giving often directed at response and relief. This year, there were stark reminders that communities are rarely experiencing disasters one at a time, in isolation. For example, in August and September 2026 alone, Hawaii was hit by three major hurricanes during an unusually active Pacific hurricane season. In Los Angeles, organizations active in recovery efforts following the January 2025 Eaton and Palisades Fires are mobilizing for coastal erosion and flooding impacts from El Niño that will continue through this winter season. The earthquake in Venezuela and the ongoing Ebola outbreak affected communities already experiencing severe humanitarian crises.  

While many donors give based on distinct phases of disasters such as preparedness, response and relief and recovery, people and communities experience these as deeply interconnected moments. A more effective approach recognizes that needs exist before, during and long after a disaster. It also recognizes that recovery investments can strengthen preparedness and resilience for future events.  

CDP’s recent grants from the Disaster Preparedness Fund include grants co-funded by the Global Recovery Fund, in recognition that communities affected by one disaster are vulnerable to future disasters.  

3. Are you using every tool you have, especially where disasters and crises are most complex? Given shifting government priorities and a reduced funding landscape, philanthropic giving is critical. But beyond financial resources, funders often have a range of tools at their disposal. 

Convening partners, sharing knowledge, elevating local expertise and building collaboration can all help communities prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters. These contributions can be particularly valuable in complex humanitarian crises, which are often challenging for donors to navigate, and where coordinating with peers can unlock barriers to taking action.  

Next week, CDP will release this year’s edition of the State of Disaster Philanthropy,  which will offer new data, insights and perspectives from philanthropic leaders about how funders are addressing questions like these about their impact and role. The report explores giving and practices, how philanthropy is responding to changes in the funding landscape and uncertainty and disaster-giving strategies to maximize impact.  

Join us on Dec. 15 for the State of Disaster Philanthropy 2026 launch webinar, where we’ll unpack key findings and hear from philanthropic and field leaders about what they mean for smarter, more effective disaster giving.