Measuring the State of Disaster Philanthropy 2020


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

Every year, disasters and humanitarian crises affect millions of people globally. Billions of philanthropic dollars are distributed to the thousands of organizations across the charitable sector in response to these emergencies.

But where does the funding come from and how are the dollars used? How much funding addresses long-term recovery, preparedness and disaster risk reduction, in addition to immediate relief?

To help answer these questions, the Center for Disaster Philanthropy (CDP) and Candid produce the annual Measuring the State of Disaster Philanthropy report. On Nov. 17, 2020, CDP and Candid hosted webinar to highlight findings from the 2020 report. Speakers shared insights into the 2018 philanthropic response by focusing on two of the major U.S. disasters that year: Hurricane Florence and California’s historic Camp Fire.

The 2020 report focuses on 2018 disasters, a year when disasters such as Hurricane Michael and the Sulawesi earthquake, and humanitarian crises, like the civil unrest in Syria and Yemen, affected millions of people globally. As the world continues to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic, while addressing record-breaking wildfires in California and another devastating hurricane season, what lessons can we take from the philanthropic response to disasters in 2018? The webinar explored how to use data to make strategic, informed disaster giving decisions.

CDP President and CEO Patricia McIlreavy moderated the discussion and speakers included:

This webinar was co-sponsored by The Funders Network, United Philanthropy Forum, North Carolina Network of Grantmakers, Southeastern Council of FoundationsFlorida Philanthropic NetworkPhilanthropy California and Council on Foundations.

Please see the slide deck and watch the webinar recording to learn more:

The annual analysis of funding for disasters and humanitarian crises is made possible with generous funding by The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust.

Photo: Damage in Paradise, California four months after the Camp Fire. (Source: Brennan Banks)