Hurricanes Gustav and Ike caused extensive flooding and massive evacuations affecting communities throughout the Gulf Coast, Texas, and the Caribbean.  Regional associations provide key information on relief efforts and suggest ways that foundations can prepare for the 2008 hurricane season.

Relief Efforts

Donors Forum:

The Donors Forum gathered resources to help donors make the most effective use of their donations to the relief effort. Here, you can find:

  • a giving guide for grantmakers
  • tips for individual donors
  • member responses

New York Regional Association of Grantmakers

 NYRAG provides a list of grantmakers making immediate and long-term grants to communities in the Gulf Coast region. Here, you can also access a copy of their new report capturing grantmaking best practices in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Storm Preparation

Southeastern Council of Foundations:

In partnership with The Foundation for the Mid South, SECF developed a tip sheet to help organizations survive a natural disaster succesfully. Here, you can find ideas for:

  • securing important information
  • ensuring communications when storms damage local phone lines and cell towers 
  • personal preparedness
  • emergency management contact information

Northern California Grantmakers:

NCG addresses how foundations can prepare their internal operations and grantmaking functions for a disaster in their online clearinghouse for disaster resources.

Other Resources Available:

Disaster Relief (Forum Members Only)

Foundation for the Mid South Hurricane Recovery

Storm Relief Costs Far Outpace Donations (Chronicle of Philanthropy) 

Charities Anticipate Major Damages from Hurricane Ike (Chronicle of Philanthropy)

Web 2.0 Community Responds to Hurricane Season (Radical Tech Blog)

Hurricane Information Center