The Center for Disaster Philanthropy Continues to Support Recovery from Bushfires in Australia With A New $1.19M Grant to WWF
Grant will support Indigenous fire management, species and habitat restoration and recovery
Washington (Oct. 1, 2020) — One year after bushfires devastated Australia, the work to restore nearly 30 million acres of vital habitat for people and wildlife is as critical as ever. The Center for Disaster Philanthropy (CDP) is committing more than $1.19 million to long-term recovery in affected areas with a new two-year grant to World Wildlife Fund in support of its Indigenous People’s Program and its Habitat Restoration Program.
The grant, made through CDP’s Global Recovery Fund, will help fund on-the-ground partnerships, collaboration and advocacy around land management, environmental restoration and fire mitigation based on Indigenous knowledge and science-based solutions to wildlife and ecological recovery.
“The bushfires may be over, but the work to restore what has been lost, prevent further damage and give this ravaged area a chance to thrive once again has just begun,” said Patricia McIlreavy, chief executive of CDP. “It is critical for wildlife, people and the planet that we invest in the full and sustainable recovery of the regions severely damaged by last year’s bushfires. We’re excited to support WWF’s important work that is necessary for the area’s recovery and ability to prepare for and manage future fire risk.”
For CDP, effectively funding long-term recovery requires providing resources to organizations serving communities most affected by a disaster. In the case of Australia’s bushfires, Indigenous culture and practices are vital for climate-informed environmental recovery so that local communities and wildlife can survive and thrive.
“From Australia, to Brazil, to California, wildfires have become the new norm in recent years. Hotter and drier conditions linked to climate change mean that this phenomenon won’t likely go away anytime soon,” said Carter Roberts, President and CEO of WWF in the United States. “That means that recovery and restoration efforts will be paramount for these and other places. We’re grateful for this partnership with CDP to help the local communities and species hit hardest by Australia’s bushfires.”
The grant to WWF is CDP’s largest single international grant award in its 10-year history. It is also the organization’s first grant that focuses on environmental stewardship, which is essential to the recovery of areas affected by the bushfires.
The grant is made possible by a generous grant funding from Google.org and donations to the CDP Global Recovery Fund for Australian bushfires. Previous grants include support for the Australian Red Cross Society and Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal. Since 2017, CDP and Google.org have partnered to support disaster response and recovery programs in the U.S. and around the world.
About the Center for Disaster Philanthropy
The Center for Disaster Philanthropy leverages the power of philanthropy to mobilize a full range of resources that strengthen the ability of communities to withstand disasters and recover equitably when they occur. It manages domestic and international disaster funds on behalf of corporations, foundations and individuals through targeted, holistic and localized grantmaking. CDP has disbursed $25.1 million to 150 organizations in the U.S. and abroad through its various funds in 2020. For more information, visit: http://disasterphilanthropy.org or tweet us @funds4disaster.
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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.