The Center for Disaster Philanthropy supports equitable disaster recovery for all

Note from the CREDO Mobile team: This December, the Center for Disaster Philanthropy is among three amazing groups that will receive a share of our monthly grant. Funding from the CREDO Mobile community will help CDP in its management of domestic and international funds on behalf of corporations, foundations and individuals to ensure that disaster recovery is equitable for all affected people.

Read this important blog post about the Center for Disaster Philanthropy’s critical work, then visit CREDODonations.com and cast your vote to help send funding to CDP to support its efforts—and the efforts of our other outstanding December grantees.

The Center for Disaster Philanthropy has been at the forefront of mobilizing philanthropy to support equitable disaster recovery worldwide since 2010. Led by President and CEO Patty McIlreavy, CDP’s expertise and approach to disaster-related giving make us uniquely able to help donors support relief and long-term recovery in response to emergencies like the humanitarian crisis in Israel and Gaza, the Hawaii wildfires, the Horn of Africa hunger crisis and other disasters.

CDP helps donors give with confidence, knowing that their gifts support marginalized communities to rebuild and recover stronger while staying true to philanthropic and social-impact goals.

A unique approach

What sets CDP apart is our unique combination of three key factors:

• Focus on long-term recovery. Disaster recovery is the process of bolstering the ability of individuals, families and communities to bounce back and thrive after a disaster. Recovery is an approach that takes time — often months, if not years. CDP is deeply committed to long-term recovery, aiming to create sustainable and enduring solutions. We support this approach through our educational resources, consulting services and the recovery funds we manage as an intelligent intermediary for our donors, guided by our knowledge and relationships.
• Incorporating racial and intersectional equity. Some communities are disproportionately affected by disasters because of race, ethnicity, gender, age and other identities. Disasters exacerbate existing social inequities that make some populations vulnerable before and after a disaster. CDP supports efforts that address systemic racism and other forms of discrimination to achieve equitable disaster recovery.
• Strengthening local leadership and capacity building. Neighbors, community-based organizations, first responders and faith communities are usually first on the scene after a disaster. Those most affected by the disaster know their community and the challenges that hinder recovery. CDP invests in these local leaders and organizations to take the lead in their own recovery process, recognizing their unique understanding of community challenges. CDP also takes the time to strategically invest in building capacity so solutions can be sustained, even after the support from CDP is received.

Fostering collaboration and building capacity for effective recovery

Disasters are multifaceted and require a concerted effort from multiple stakeholders. Supporting local leaders and organizations with the resources they need allows them to take the lead in their own recovery process. When communities tell us what they need, we listen. This approach makes it possible for the community to be more resilient in the future. Taking this approach also leads to better collaboration between funder and grantor.

Another important piece of CDP’s process lies within the grantmaking itself. We support organizations with grants that make it possible to build their capacity and talent for their communities and themselves. Sometimes our grants include funding for adding staff, developing training and expertise, and mobilizing resources for broader audiences. This investment ensures that organizations can navigate the challenges posed by disasters effectively and strategically.

Embracing equitable and responsible recovery

CDP envisions a world in which the impact of disasters is minimized by thoughtful, equitable and responsible recovery. We focus on medium- and long-term recovery, directing financial and technical support where it is most needed to make a more equitable recovery possible. Additionally, we provide expert advice and educational resources to help donors make informed decisions about where and when to give.

Recovery is about more than just restoring structures and services. It’s about addressing sources of inequity and injustice so communities can rebuild stronger.

CDP responds to large-scale disasters that affect marginalized or at-risk populations. We also draw attention to hidden crises and ongoing needs, helping funders stay informed through our Weekly Disaster Round-Up blog posts and creating disaster profiles to provide donors with detailed information.

Empowering disaster philanthropists

“At the Center for Disaster Philanthropy, we encourage all donors to be disaster philanthropists,” Patty McIlreavy wrote in a January 2023 article at the Forbes Nonprofit Council, emphasizing that all donors are disaster philanthropists, whether they realize it or not.

At CDP, we understand the complexities of disasters and utilize our resources and expertise to strengthen communities’ ability to withstand these events and recover equitably. We encourage everyone to do the same: leverage what you’ve experienced, who you care for and what you know to make a more equitable and responsible disaster recovery possible for all. Because you too are a disaster philanthropist and, together, we can support stronger communities.

Learn more about the vital work the Center for Disaster Philanthropy does at DisasterPhilanthropy.org.