Tips for Disaster Giving

Disasters happen all the time and aren’t going anywhere anytime soon as extreme weather events become more intense and more frequent. What happens to the people who live in areas (like Greater Houston) in which hurricanes, severe winds and flooding, and other crises are becoming more dangerous? As we’ve seen, Houston is a generous and caring community and we band together after disasters to provide much-needed aid. Although no amount of disaster giving can truly mollify the damages caused by disasters, especially in our most vulnerable populations, philanthropy plays an essential role in getting affected communities back on their feet. 

When responding to a disaster, every donation counts, regardless of its size or type. However, practicing intentional and strategic disaster giving can amplify the impact of each contribution, providing maximum support to those affected.

In this article, we will discuss the importance of collaborative disaster relief efforts, how an organizations’ regional knowledge can make a difference, and provide some tips on how to make your disaster donations go far. 

Continue reading for more information about disaster relief tips, or send us a message to get started today. 

Key Insights

• The economic impacts of disasters can be massive — and they disproportionately affect vulnerable populations. 
• Social vulnerability is influenced by things like socioeconomic status, household composition, disability status, minority and language status, and housing conditions.
• Effective disaster response should involve local organizations with deep regional knowledge to effectively reach and support the most vulnerable communities.
• Greater Houston Community Foundation and United Way of Greater Houston formed the Greater Houston Disaster Alliance to unite local efforts for comprehensive disaster response and long-term resiliency.
• Effective disaster giving should be strategic and prioritize long-term recovery and community resilience.

Table of Contents

• A community-based approach
• The role of community foundations
  • Greater Houston Community Foundation’s efforts
• Collaboration is key
• Tips for disaster giving
• Ways to give with the Foundation
• Partner with the Foundation for your disaster giving

The importance of community-based disaster relief efforts

Economic impacts after natural disasters can be massive on an individual and systemic level. Economic losses related to Hurricane Beryl have been estimated to be between $2.7 and $4.5 billion. While the billions of dollars being dedicated to response and recovery efforts are good, individuals in vulnerable populations will bear the brunt of the hardship, especially without strategic and collaborative giving. 

Some factors which influence vulnerability in times of disaster can include:

• Socioeconomic status: poverty, unemployment, low income, and low education levels.
• Household composition and disability: homes with more seniors and children, single-parent households, and households with disabled persons.
• Minority status and language: minorities and persons who can’t speak English or for whom English is a second language.
• Housing and transportation: Multi-unit housing, mobile homes, crowded homes, and homes without vehicles.

Although disaster conditions are difficult for everybody, they are much more devastating for vulnerable populations. Because of these invisible lines drawn through our populations, disaster relief should always be carried out in collaboration with local organizations that have knowledge of the region and its communities. 

Read more about disaster impacts and social vulnerability at Understanding Houston

How community foundations can magnify disaster giving

Disaster relief organizations in our region play an essential role in enhancing the effectiveness of disaster relief programs and encouraging meaningful donations. Their deep understanding of affected neighborhoods and the unique needs of vulnerable populations allows for impactful contributions that foster long-term, collaborative change.

If you’re seeking disaster assistance in Houston we encourage you to reach out to the 211 Texas/ United Way HELPLINE, which has a continuously updated database of social service resources available through a variety of organizations in the region. For those  looking to contribute to recovery and response efforts, partnering with an experienced local organization, like the Greater Houston Disaster Alliance, is the perfect way to start your journey. Together, we can make a lasting difference in the community.

Greater Houston Community Foundation’s efforts

Most of us in Greater Houston speak about disaster relief from a place of experience: Houston has, after all, faced 26 federally declared disasters since 1980, and they don’t look to be slowing down anytime soon. This is also occurring in a region in which 58% of the population lives in a census tract with at least medium-high social vulnerability. 

These two figures should highlight why disaster response and recovery, and therefore disaster giving, are so vital to the greater Houston region. In response to these sobering realities, Greater Houston Community Foundation and United Way of Greater Houston have formed the Greater Houston Disaster Alliance (Disaster Alliance), a partnership intended to unite local and national, as well as public and private, response and recovery to disasters in the region. 

Read more from The Foundation about the Greater Houston Disaster Alliance: Building Community Resiliency: Our Disaster Response Journey

Disaster response and recovery is a team effort

Effective disaster response requires collaboration, as no single effort can fulfill every requirement. This is why the Foundation and United Way of Greater Houston formed the Greater Houston Disaster Alliance: as a model for collaborative disaster response.

The Disaster Alliance has brought together local organizations, businesses, and government agencies to provide comprehensive support. It emphasizes not just relief but long-term resiliency that will help communities weather future disasters.

Other than partnering with a local organization to strategize your disaster giving and amplify your impact, a few other things that you can do to help include:

• Stay informed about impending disasters through local alerts, and disseminate information about resources for those in need within your network. 
• Make sure you and your family are prepared for a disaster by creating a preparedness plan and stocking survival kits at home. 
• Sign up for our Insider Update newsletter to stay updated on the Foundation’s community impact efforts and find out about opportunities to get involved. 

Tips on disaster giving

Where is the best place to donate for disasters? How do I make the most impact with my donation? If you take heed of the following tips, you will put yourself in a much better position to make a difference with your donation. 

1. Research organizations. Always verify that your donations are going to reputable and transparent organizations. 
2. Keep in mind community needs. Community needs don’t always match up with donation volume. You might be surprised to find out where your donation can make the most difference. 
3. Consider long-term needs. If you work with an organization that understands the long-term needs of affected populations, your donation can provide sustained support and turn into community resiliency. 
4. Take advantage of government or corporate matching programs.Corporate giving programs and government initiatives will sometimes match contributions from individual donors, which can multiply impact for those in need. 
5. Prioritize engagement and empowerment. Although individual donations are always helpful, the goal should always be building long-term recovery efforts and fostering community resilience. 
6. Partner with an experienced disaster-focused organization. Initiatives like Greater Houston Disaster Alliance have the local knowledge and expertise in order to make make data drive grants to maximize effectiveness.

Our best tip for disaster giving? Partner with an organization you can trust, who can connect your donation with the communities who need it most, like Greater Houston Community Foundation. 

Continue reading about how The Foundation distributed millions in Hurricane Harvey grants

How to give with Greater Houston Community Foundation

There are a number of ways that Greater Houston Community Foundation can facilitate disaster giving for donors. However, two of the most common programs include donor advised funds and corporate philanthropy programs. 

*For those that do not have a donor advised fund, we encourage you to contribute directly to the Greater Houston Disaster Alliance. 

Investing in more involved corporate philanthropy programs can greatly benefit businesses small and large, providing things like increased employee morale, talent attraction and retention, opportunities to expand important local networks, and enhanced reputation for corporate citizenship/corporate social responsibility.

Partner with the Foundation for your disaster giving efforts

Elevate your impact in disaster recovery and community resilience by partnering with the Foundation — your premier philanthropic advisor in navigating disaster relief and long-term recovery contributions. While charitable giving following a disaster is undeniably powerful, it becomes transformative when approached strategically. By directing your support toward the right initiatives, you empower affected communities with the resources they truly need, fostering a stronger, more resilient future.

Remember, effective disaster response is not just about providing immediate relief; it is equally focused on enabling long-term recovery. The good news is that there are plenty of disaster giving organizations that can help you make a meaningful impact. If you or a loved one are looking to make a difference in the region and would like to learn more about the Greater Houston Disaster Alliance, call us at 713-333-2210 or reach out directly to get started. Together, we can build a resilient future for all.

More Helpful Articles by Greater Houston Community Foundation: 

• The Surprising Benefits of Philanthropy on Your Well-being
• The Business of Good: Taking Corporate Giving to the Next Level
• What Are Qualified Charitable Distributions?
• What to Do with an Inheritance
• How to Start a Corporate Philanthropy Program

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