CDP Disaster Recovery Fund

As dramatic images circulate alongside startling statistics of lives lost and billions of dollars in damage, we are moved to do something – anything – to help right after a disaster. Immediate needs must be met, lives must be saved and vital functions restored. But if disaster funding begins and ends there, we have missed the opportunity to support strategic long-term recovery and rebuilding.

Imagine, instead, the tactical allocation of funds across the entire disaster life cycle, from disaster preparedness to long-term recovery. Imagine, too, the equitable distribution of grant funds with consideration for the disasters and marginalized communities that need support even if the event didn’t receive a high level of attention from the media or donors.

The Center for Disaster Philanthropy’s Disaster Recovery Fund allows donors to target contributions to meet specific philanthropic goals for any domestic disaster, helping communities rebuild stronger and prepare for future disasters.

Photo: Storm damage in Edmond, Oklahoma in June 2024. Credit: Sally Ray

In addition to awarding grants for specific emergencies, the CDP Disaster Recovery Fund makes strategic investments in preparedness and planning for communities often stuck in cyclical disaster mode, fully demonstrating the value of a streamlined, long-term approach. As a permanent resource for the disaster philanthropy community, the fund extends beyond the crisis of disaster response to help create thriving communities, all the while combining efforts for the greatest impact.

With thoughtful analysis ahead of disasters, collaborative funding dollars can reach further toward lasting solutions to systemic inequities, while avoiding waste and duplicative efforts.

We also have specific funds for some disasters. You can support recovery efforts for these via:

The CDP California Wildfires Recovery Fund
The CDP Hawaii Wildfires Recovery Fund
The CDP Atlantic Hurricane Season Recovery Fund
The CDP Tornado Recovery Fund
To support events that affect a ten-state region in the Midwest, please donate to the CDP Midwest Early Recovery Fund.

This fund supports disasters such as:

Identified issues, events or activities

Severe weather, tornadoes, derechos and flooding often affect geographic areas where the norm is sub-standard housing, generational housing, and uninsured and under-insured homes occupied by older adults, low-income earners, and traditionally marginalized and racialized populations. Some are homeowners, but many are renters.

These disasters often result in little media attention and, as a result, fewer resources for recovery. Communities prone to severe weather often face profound trauma from layered disasters against a backdrop of lifelong experiences of struggling economically or socially due to intersecting factors that have caused marginalization.

Priority funding focus areas

This fund will prioritize:

Funding for Black- and women-led organizations that have built or can build trust networks with survivors needing recovery assistance.
Funding for Indigenous organizations working to support Tribal communities affected by disasters to build their resilience to the changing climate.
Advocating for and providing affordable housing, housing repair and utility support, especially for low-income homeowners or renters in communities of color.
Building response capacity and improving infrastructure to mitigate risks to the most marginalized communities affected.
Investing in equitable and holistic disaster case management programs to equip local communities that have limited resources and low organizational capacity with the means and tools for disaster recovery. These programs strengthen a community’s local resources and its ability to provide culturally- and contextually-appropriate case management services to its people.

With support from our Disaster Recovery Fund, our grantee partners are helping affected communities rebuild stronger.

Meet our grantee partners

Supporting direct assistance services to address unmet needs quickly

Read the story

Thank you to the following donors for their generous support of the CDP Disaster Recovery Fund.

William F. Bukart
Kim Seats
Allison Pearce

Bright Funds Foundation
Jim and Mary Fuller Giving Fund

CDP’s Disaster Recovery Fund, shepherded by a team of experts in disaster philanthropy, offers a place for donors to give with confidence, knowing that monies given will target both emerging and imminent needs.

Support this fund

Connect with us

For more information on the situation and to learn about available resources, contact Sally Ray, Director, Domestic Funds.

To make a give or learn more about the Fund, please contact our Development Team.

Photo of airmen, soldiers and civilians with the National Guard repair the home of Michelle Samuel of LaPlata, Md., during “National Rebuilding Day.” (Credit: Tech. Sgt. Mike R. Smith, National Guard)