Disaster Relief
January 30, 2018 at 11:28 am
In the days after Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico, residents of some of the hardest hit rural areas found themselves stranded—cut off from more populated areas by mudslides, crumbled roads and bridges, and toppled trees and power lines. In those early days, the only food and water many of these communities received arrived by helicopter,…
January 4, 2018 at 12:41 pm
It’s been over three months since Hurricane Maria took its toll on Puerto Rico, wreaking havoc and creating catastrophic living conditions for residents on the island. Not only did the Category 4 storm nearly destroy everything in its path, it also claimed a death toll of 1,052 people...
November 15, 2017 at 12:16 pm
Recovering from disasters is never easy. When disasters pile up, it gets harder. On top of the inevitable competition for everything from the government's funding for recovery efforts to construction materials, donations for relief operations dry up as givers develop what's known as "donor fatigue." While studying disaster relief and community resilience, I've learned that…
November 14, 2017 at 11:32 am
As nonprofit leaders and fundraising professionals, surviving through a natural disaster is something we do not always consider as part of our philanthropic strategy. However, it can become a critical consideration if you lead a nonprofit organization that exists outside the affected areas, or if your organization’s mission is not obviously tied to disaster relief...
November 9, 2017 at 7:39 am
"Hamilton" creator Lin-Manuel Miranda made sandwiches, took selfies and announced a partnership with a nonprofit group for a $2.5 million hurricane recovery fund during a trip Tuesday to Puerto Rico. Miranda said seven local groups already have received grants from the New York-based Hispanic Federation, which helps Latino agencies. The organization said it will award…
October 30, 2017 at 11:54 am
After preparing 2 million meals for the people of Puerto Rico … José Andrés and his nonprofit organization are now looking to expand their mission and focus their efforts on feeding other victims of natural disasters. World Central Kitchen and the famous, globe-trotting chef who founded it have attracted a lot of attention for their work…
October 25, 2017 at 12:37 pm
Puerto Rico's already suffering economy took a massive hit when Hurricane Maria struck last month. Now, as business owners struggle to get back on their feet, the island’s chamber of commerce has an unseemly proposal for revitalizing the economy: Embrace the Trump administration’s plans for repealing current net neutrality rules. Federal Communication Commission Chair Ajit Pai…
October 13, 2017 at 8:36 am
Salesforce.org, the philanthropic arm of San Francisco software company Salesforce, has become the latest technology group to announce donations for fire relief. It will donate $500,000 to “support students and schools in need.” Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff and his wife, Lynne, are donating $500,000 as well, and the company hopes to raise another $500,000 through…
October 13, 2017 at 8:31 am
How can you retain donor dollars in the wake of a crisis or disaster if your charity is not related to that crisis? In other words, suppose you are a breast cancer or Alzheimer’s charity in Houston or Florida just after hurricanes Harvey or Irma; donation dollars in these areas are currently going to The American Red Cross, the ASPCA and hunger organizations...
October 10, 2017 at 12:01 pm
The nonprofit sector in our community is the glue that holds us together. They fight for justice, care for the sick and vulnerable, and respond in times of crisis. One natural disaster or tragedy can wreak havoc on a nonprofit’s already thin bottom line...
