Public and Private Partnerships in Disaster Relief: Leveraging Expertise for Maximum Impact

As Florence barrels towards the East Coast, disaster relief continues to be a top-of-mind area of philanthropy. With more hurricanes likely behind this one, the conversation around disaster relief and how we can better prepare communities for the catastrophic impact of disaster is a key area of focus across all members of the social and private sectors.

In this ebook from Blackbaud and the Center for Disaster Philanthropy, we explore disaster relief in four buckets: examining response on the ground in disaster-struck areas, collecting support, distributing support, and strategizing for the future. A key theme that is prevalent in each of these buckets and critical for the success of provided aid is the existence of partnerships. With disaster and humanitarian relief, it is all about who can communicate the needs of the affected areas and deliver the aid the fastest, and this can change depending on the type of natural disaster and where it hits.

As the 2018 hurricane season heightens, consider changing the way you support disaster relief, moving past one-time monetary contributions. Bob Ottenhoff, president and CEO of the Center for Disaster Philanthropy, offers the following items for thought:

First, plan ahead. Set aside money now for planning, recovery, and immediate relief. Your efforts before and after a disaster can make a big difference in the amount of destruction and the number of deaths that occur.

Second, think holistically. How can your employees and skill sets—as well as your cash and products—make a difference? The Disaster Philanthropy Playbook offers guidance on how you can effectively allocate resources to disasters.

Third, support collaborative prevention and mitigation efforts. Just reacting isn’t sustainable or strategic. The future of our communities depends on collaboration and creative thinking about prevention, mitigation, and adaptability.

Read the entire ebook, and as needs in affected communities grow over the next few weeks, consider how you can strategize your support so that impacted areas have the resources necessary to recover. As Bob observes in our ebook: “Our current approach to disaster funding is no longer sufficient. New efforts require better coordination between federal, state, and local government leaders; corporate and foundation donors; and nonprofit organizations that provide services. There just aren’t enough people and financial resources to do it any other way.”

Our entire selection of disaster relief resources can be found here, and you can hear Bob and others speak to disaster relief at this year’s bbcon. Blackbaud’s annual conference will be held in Orlando on October 9th-11th, and we encourage you to join us to continue the conversation around collaboration. Attendees will be representing companies, nonprofits, foundations, community foundations, and more.