Disaster Response Resources (not COVID-specific)

- Thanks @TracyLarimer. Glad to be part of this #DisasterResponse conversation.

We learned a lot in Dallas just after Hurricane Harvey in 2017. I think among the most important was the benefit of collaboration. I know, that sounds like just a popular buzz-word in funding circles, but truly, we gathered with other funders in our community and nationwide to identify any holes in funding. Once we determined who was able to take action immediately with those most pressing needs, we were also able to help delegate who could do what for long term support. I think it's a natural instinct to want to jump at the chance to help right now today, and that is so important, but equally important is the help that is needed weeks, months, and years after a devastating event. Fine tuning that long-term perspective is challenging, but such a necessary piece of the puzzle.

We also were able to be reactive and meet the need of a handful of businesses and corporations, to start hardship assistance funds for their employees who were affected by the hurricane. Over the course of more than a year we were able to process donations from employees who wanted to help their colleagues, as well as grants to those individuals who lost their homes, cars, etc. Sometimes this meant cover the cost of a hotel while the family waited on their insurance to process paperwork, sometimes it meant buying groceries for a family that lost everything, or contributing to a down-payment as they replaced cars.

I look forward to hearing what other friends and colleagues have to say around disaster relief funding as well. It's one of those things that may be hard to plan for in advance, but if you can at least have a few ideas in place it's much easier to launch when that disaster happens.