Building Funder Coalitions
CDP brings funders together to collaborate, learn and take coordinated action that strengthens community-led disaster and humanitarian response. Across our coalitions, we create structured spaces where philanthropy and allied partners can align around shared goals, pool insights and drive strategic investments that advance equity, local leadership and long-term recovery.
Current Coalitions
Strengthening Local Humanitarian Leadership (LHL) Collaborative
The LHL Collaborative brings together funders and philanthropy organizations working across interconnected humanitarian and disaster issues to increase both the quality and quantity of direct support to local leaders. Participants coordinate strategic efforts, share learning and push for more equitable and community-centered models of humanitarian action.
Funders for Mutual Aid in Sudan
Funders for Mutual Aid in Sudan is a group of philanthropic actors and other stakeholders committed to strengthening locally led humanitarian response in Sudan, with a particular focus on supporting mutual aid infrastructure. Coalition participants are aligning resources and learning together to bolster the life-saving work of frontline Sudanese responders who are operating under extraordinary circumstances.
At the core of CDP’s coalition work is a commitment to equity and accountable partnership in the ways we mobilize philanthropy. We prioritize centering the leadership, knowledge and power of frontline actors and communities affected by crises. Our coalitions intentionally advance approaches that are transparent, flexible and community-driven.
CDP coalitions also embrace the collective impact model to ensure collaborative action leads to meaningful, sustainable change:
- Common agenda: Partners co-develop shared goals grounded in local needs and priorities.
- Shared measurement: Coalitions build learning frameworks that drive the group towards equitable outcomes.
- Mutually reinforcing activities: Participants contribute through complementary roles, coordinating rather than duplicating efforts.
- Continuous communication: Regular convenings and information-sharing foster trust, clarity and aligned decision-making.
- Backbone support: CDP serves as the backbone organization, offering facilitation, strategy support and coordination to help coalitions function effectively.
To learn more about CDP’s coalition building work, contact funds.coalitions@disasterphilanthropy.org.