FEMA and Philanthropy: How to best utilize your dollars and avoid duplication


2 p.m. ET/ 1 p.m. CT

Immediately after a disaster, the common refrain is “Where is FEMA”? While most Americans know that the Federal Emergency Management Agency is charged with responding to federally declared disasters, very few understand – including those of us in philanthropy – the ins and outs of the assistance it provides.

The Center for Disaster Philanthropy (CDP) hosted a webinar to help funders learn how the federal government and FEMA respond to disasters. What does FEMA do (and not do) to help individuals and communities? What other government departments and agencies are involved in disaster recovery? What should grantmakers support to expand their reach, fill resource gaps and avoid duplication? What are funding and co-funding opportunities with other funders and government agencies to watch out for?

CDP Director of Learning and Partnerships Tanya Gulliver-Garcia moderated the discussion and panelists included:

  • Gerilee W. Bennett, Director, Recovery Interagency Coordination Division, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
  • Myra Shird, Federal Coordinating Officer, FEMA

This webinar was co-sponsored by Council on FoundationsGiving Compass and National VOAD.

Please see the slide deck, read the recap on Giving Compass and watch the webinar recording to learn more:

Photo: A FEMA Community Relations representative walks through a damaged neighborhood. (Source: Jocelyn Augustino/FEMA)