The Patterson Foundation Celebrates Center for Disaster Philanthropy’s Decade of Impact With $100,000 Gift

This blog originally appeared on The Patterson Foundation’s website. 

For a decade, the Center for Disaster Philanthropy (CDP) has strengthened communities across the globe recovering from natural disasters, humanitarian crises and other complex emergencies. In celebration of this impressive milestone and its life-changing work, The Patterson Foundation has contributed a $100,000 gift to CDP.

Each time a hurricane ravages a region or a wildfire scorches homes and businesses, people all over the world immediately and generously donate money to a variety of relief organizations. While this quick wave of funds can help organizations handle the urgent needs of a community, the medium- and long-term disaster recovery efforts are often left without the necessary funding. As the only full-time national resource committed to maximizing donors’ impact, CDP leverages the power of philanthropy to utilize resources that strengthen communities recovering from disasters and prepare them for challenges that are months and years away.

“When disaster strikes, there are givers the world over who want to help but may not know how to best apply their funds,” said Debra Jacobs, president and CEO of The Patterson Foundation. “Thankfully, the Center for Disaster Philanthropy works hand-in-hand with funders and nonprofits, distributing resources to organizations that have proven their ability to restore communities and help protect them from future calamities. The Patterson Foundation is proud to give $100,000 to the Center for Disaster Philanthropy in celebration of 10 years of strengthening communities.”

CDP has evolved into a trusted resource for major philanthropists and grassroots donors due to its expertise and proven impact on communities. The organization is successful because it is able to educate the philanthropic community and provide it with opportunities to maximize donor impact toward sustained recovery efforts for the months and years following a disaster. CDP also meets with foundations and large corporations to discuss how they can best align their disaster-related giving strategies. In a testament to its success and far-reaching impact, CDP was honored among seven other nonprofits for the 14th Annual CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute ceremony in 2020.

“Donors of all shapes and sizes can truly make a tangible difference in the lives of people affected by COVID-19, wildfires or other disasters on their long road to recovery,” said Patricia McIlreavy, president and CEO of the Center for Disaster Philanthropy. “We are grateful to The Patterson Foundation for its unwavering commitment to equitable recovery. Their gift and invitation to other donors to take the long view in their disaster giving bring vital resources to organizations worldwide that help people, families and communities rebuild stronger after a disaster.”

When Hurricane Sandy wreaked havoc across the Caribbean, United States and Canada in 2013, The Patterson Foundation quickly started a $200,000 dollar-for-dollar matching challenge toward CDP’s response efforts. Since then, The Patterson Foundation is honored to have contributed nearly $5 million to CDP for operational and disaster-recovery efforts.

To donate or learn more about CDP, please visit www.disasterphilanthropy.org.