When disaster strikes, board members often want to act quickly to support affected communities. A disaster response policy helps your foundation respond effectively—while staying aligned with its mission and capacity. The most useful policies are flexible and can be adapted to each unique situation.
Key Elements to Consider in Your Policy
Mission Alignment
-
Will your foundation link disaster grantmaking to its mission?
-
Example: An education-focused foundation might fund the replacement of school supplies after a hurricane.
-
Type of Response
-
Will you focus on:
-
Immediate relief (e.g., food, shelter)
-
Long-term recovery (e.g., rebuilding schools)
-
Prevention and preparedness (e.g., early warning systems)
-
-
Will your response vary by location? (e.g., relief locally, recovery internationally)
-
Some funders split disaster grants—giving part now, and reserving some for later needs.
Geographic Focus and Eligible Recipients
-
Where will you fund—locally, nationally, or internationally?
-
Who will receive funding—nonprofits, individuals, intermediaries?
-
If funding internationally, will you give directly to foreign organizations or through U.S.-based intermediaries?
-
Tip: Identify trusted intermediaries in advance.
-
Funding Level
-
Will you allocate a specific amount annually for disasters?
-
Will this funding come from your existing budget, or increase your distribution?
Communicating Your Disaster Grantmaking Interests
-
How will you share your priorities and guidelines publicly?
-
Include preferences in your grantmaking guidelines (e.g., geographic focus, types of recipients, etc.).
-
Partnerships
-
Identify potential partners before disaster strikes:
-
Local foundations, nonprofits, churches, or agencies
-
National or international networks with on-the-ground experience
-
Due Diligence and Reporting
-
How will you adapt your usual procedures in a crisis?
-
Aim to balance accountability with the reality that grantees may have reduced capacity during emergencies.
-
Sharing Lessons Learned
-
Communicate your experience with others—fellow funders, local agencies, and disaster response networks—to help improve future response efforts.
For more guidance on crafting policies that support thoughtful and timely action, see Exponent Philanthropy’s publication Policymaking Made Clear: Eleven Foundation Policies Your Board Should Consider.
Still have questions?
Members can access staff experts through our Q&A service by calling 202-580-6560, or post a question to the member community to hear form peers in the field.
Explore our Q&A archive