CDP Named 2016 National VOAD Partner of the Year

Washington, DC — The National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) presented the Center for Disaster Philanthropy (CDP) with the 2016 John “Jock” Menzies Partner of the Year Award during their national conference in Minneapolis. The annual award is given to a National VOAD partner who has exhibited outstanding efforts and contributions in service and support of the entire VOAD network.

NVOAD Partner of the Year-NB accepting
CDP Program Officer Nancy Beers accepted the award from NVOAD Board Chair April Wood and NVOAD Board Director Michael Stadie.

Since partnering with VOAD in 2013, CDP has played an essential role in building strategic connections between the donor community and the national network of voluntary organizations in support of effective disaster preparation, response, and recovery solutions. CDP and National VOAD have worked together to facilitate a mutual assistance network between the private philanthropic community and nonprofits during times of disaster.

“By helping donors better understand the disaster lifecycle and how voluntary organizations make a difference, the Center for Disaster Philanthropy has significantly elevated the mission of National VOAD and its membership here in the United States,” said National VOAD Board Chair April Wood. “It is our great pleasure to recognize CDP’s collaborative work as the 2016 National VOAD Partner of the Year.”

“All of us at the Center for Disaster Philanthropy are extremely honored to be recognized by such a vital partner. National VOAD and local VOADs across the country are essential to providing critical services in times of disaster,” said Robert G. Ottenhoff, CDP President and CEO. “We’re very proud of the close working relationship we’ve cultivated between our organizations and encouraged that this partnership is helping donors have the greatest impact in times of disaster.”

National VOAD
National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster is a leader and voice for the nonprofit organizations and volunteers that work in all phases of disaster—preparedness, response, relief, recovery, and mitigation. Members of National VOAD form a coalition of nonprofit organizations that respond to disasters as part of their overall mission. For more, please visit: http://www.nvoad.org/.

The Center for Disaster Philanthropy
The Center for Disaster Philanthropy’s mission is to transform disaster giving by providing timely and thoughtful strategies to increase donors’ impact during domestic and international disasters.

With an emphasis on recovery and disaster risk reduction, CDP aims to:

  • Increase the effectiveness of contributions given to disasters;
  • Bring greater attention to the life cycle of disasters, from preparedness and planning, to relief, to rebuilding and recovery efforts;
  • Provide timely and relevant advice from experts with deep knowledge of disaster philanthropy;
  • Conduct due diligence so donors can give with confidence; and,
  • Create plans for informed giving for individuals, corporations and foundations.

Contact: Kathy Gutowsky, Director of Marketing & Communications at kathy.gutowsky@disasterphilanthropy.org.


The Center for Disaster Philanthropy mobilizes philanthropy to strengthen communities’ ability to withstand disasters and recover equitably when they occur. It provides expert advice and resources while managing domestic and international disaster funds on behalf of corporations, foundations and individuals through targeted, holistic and localized grantmaking. Find out more at disasterphilanthropy.org and on Twitter @funds4disaster.