Preparedness: How can philanthropy help communities prepare for extreme heat?

Philanthropy can help communities and local governments reduce vulnerability to extreme heat by supporting both short-term (emergency response) and long-term (planning and infrastructure) strategies.

Examples of short-term initiatives that funders can support include:

• Setting up community cooling centers, especially for vulnerable groups (older adults, low-income, children).
• Educating the public about heat risks, symptoms of heat-related illness and appropriate responses.
• Encouraging people to check on vulnerable neighbors and family.
• Maintaining the proper function of energy and water systems during heat waves.
• Promoting energy conservation to reduce stress on electricity systems during peak demand.

Examples of long-term programs that funders can support include:

• Establishing early warning systems for heat waves.
• Promoting the use of resilient, heat-resistant materials to protect homes, roads, railways and other infrastructure.
• Funding community-level solutions, such as cooling centers, urban greening, shade structures and small-scale home adaptations.
• Building local capacity by offering resources and training to local governments and organizations with a focus on helping vulnerable groups.
• Creating heat action plans, policy advocacy and city planning that reduce heat risks.
• New financing approaches to scale up adaptation, like impact bonds and blending grants with investment.
• Knowledge-sharing and bridge-building to help groups share expertise, access funding and coordinate on effective adaptation strategies.

Philanthropy can respond to extreme heat by supporting community-based and equity-focused initiatives. By collaborating with governments and grassroots organizations, funders can help communities develop tailored, scalable heat resilience solutions that protect vulnerable populations.

Check out these resources for more ideas:

• State of California: Extreme heat and community resilience program
• Heat Action Platform: Fund and finance heat action
• American Journal of Public Health: Planning to reduce the health impacts of extreme heat
• CDP Issue Insight: Extreme heat