Philanthropy's Response to 2024 US Storms

Overview

Throughout the United States, severe weather events are expected throughout the year. However, unusually warm temperatures have caused increased storm systems, often resulting in catastrophic severe weather events. As various local, state, and regional community foundations and philanthropic institutions establish response funds for disaster recovery, we will keep this resource page up to date.

Resources

• Center for Disaster Philanthropy | 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season, 2024 US Tornadoes and 2024 US Severe Weather
• Council on Foundations | Disaster Grantmaking Resources 

Response Funds

Hurricane Milton (October 2024)

Hurricane Milton, the third hurricane to hit Florida this year, made landfall as a Category 3 hurricane in the Tampa Bay area. More than 3 million people are without power in the affected areas. Destructive winds, historic flooding, and deadly tornadoes resulting from Hurricane Milton have caused at least 10 storm-related deaths. 

Resources:

• Community Foundation of Sarasota County | Our Community Braces for Hurricane Milton
• Community Foundation Tampa Bay | Hurricane Relief and Recovery

Local Funds:

• Collaboratory | SWFL Emergency Relief Fund
• Community Foundation of Sarasota County | Suncoast Disaster Recovery Fund
• Community Foundation Tampa Bay | Rapid Response Fund
• Gulf Coast Community Foundation | Rapid Response Fund
• Manatee Community Foundation | MCF Disaster Relief Fund

National Funds:

• Center for Disaster Philanthropy | CDP Atlantic Hurricane Season Recovery Fund
• GlobalGiving | Hurricane Milton Relief Fund

Hurricane Helene (September 2024)

Hurricane Helene made historic landfall as the first Category 4 hurricane to hit Big Bend, Florida and was one of the biggest storms in the Gulf of Mexico in the last century; there have been over 230 storm-related deaths. Over 3 millions people have lost power across Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, and southern Virginia. Hundreds of roads remain closed, hindering critical relief efforts. 

Resources:

• Appalachia Funders Network | Note on the Aftermath of Hurricane Helene
• Philanthropy Southeast | Helping Communities Recover from Hurricane Helene
• AmeriCorps | AmeriCorps Supports Disaster Recovery in North Carolina, Continues to Support States Impacted by Hurricane Helene

Local Funds:

• Appalachia Funders Network | Appalachian Helene Response Fund
• Central Carolina Community Foundation | One SC Fund
• Collaboratory | Rebuild Southwest Florida - Coordinating a Resilient Region
• Community Foundation for the Central Savannah River Area | Helene Emergency Response Fund
• Community Foundation of North Florida | CFNF Disaster Relief Fund
• Community Foundation of Sarasota County | Suncoast Disaster Recovery Fund
• Community Foundation Tampa Bay | Rapid Response Fund
• Community Foundation of Western North Carolina | Emergency & Disaster Response Fund
• East Tennessee Foundation | Neighbor to Neighbor Disaster Relief Fund
• Manatee Community Foundation | MCF Disaster Relief Fund
• North Carolina Community Foundation | Disaster Relief Fund 
• Pinellas Community Foundation | Tampa Bay Resiliency Fund
• Spartanburg County Foundation | Disaster Relief Fund
• Waccamaw Community Foundation | WCF Disaster Relief Fund

National Funds:

• Center for Disaster Philanthropy | CDP Atlantic Hurricane Season Recovery Fund
• GlobalGiving | Hurricane Helene Relief Fund
• Emergency Assistance Foundation | People First Fund

Iowa Tornadoes (May 2024) 

Powerful tornadoes and storms caused severe EF-3 damage in the Greenfield County area and beyond.  At least 5 fatalities occurred. 

• Adams Community Foundation | Adams County Disaster Recovery Fund
• Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines | Disaster Recovery Funds
• Greater Greenfield Community Foundation | Greenfield Tornado Relief Fund

Texas Tornadoes (May 2024)

Texas was hit with weeks of unrelenting severe weather this spring. There was a significant amount of homes affected by the severe storms, tornados, and floods; a Major Disaster Declaration was approved May 18, 2024 for multiple counties. 

• Greater Houston Community Foundation | Severe Weather & Derecho Recovery Fund

Partners

• The Center for Disaster Philanthropy is the Council's recommended partner for those needing support in mobilizing a philanthropic response to disasters.
• FEMA is a critical federal partner of the Council that often relies on community foundations and place-based funders before, during, and after a disaster hits. Visit FEMA to apply for assistance or for additional news and information.