The Center for Disaster Philanthropy Receives $3.1 Million Grant from Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies for the Midwest Early Recovery Fund

The grant supports efforts to provide critical early recovery funding and resources to communities affected by low-attention disasters

Washington, D.C. (Feb. 15, 2023) – The Center for Disaster Philanthropy (CDP) announced renewed support from Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies (MACP) for the CDP Midwest Early Recovery Fund (ERF).

Too often, communities struggle to address the needs of those most vulnerable to the impact of disasters because of systemic inequities, especially at the local level. ERF fills a persistent gap in post-disaster funding in a 10-state region that includes Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota and the Native nations that share the geography.

“We are grateful to MACP for its support of the Midwest Early Recovery Fund,” said Patricia McIlreavy, president and CEO of CDP. “MACP’s support allows CDP to track disaster data, build relationships with community-based nonprofits and provide assistance to areas affected by natural hazards often overlooked as too small or too remote.”

With 20% of the country’s landmass and only 10% of the population, the Midwest is a region with hundreds of small and rural communities that do not attract much public attention when affected by a disaster.

Since 2015, ERF has awarded more than $8 million to 85 grantee partner organizations that lead recovery efforts in communities affected by floods, severe storms, wildfires and other low-attention disaster events in the Midwest.

Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies has been a funding partner in this work since 2012.

To learn more about ERF, please visit disasterphilanthropy.org/funds/midwest-early-recovery-fund/.


CDP mobilizes philanthropy to strengthen communities’ ability to withstand disasters and recover equitably when they occur. It provides expert advice and educational resources, supports diverse coalitions and manages 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 X and LinkedIn.

Support equitable disaster recovery

Your support means that communities are better prepared and empowered to respond to and recover from disasters.

Give now