Maryland Philanthropy Network is committed to supporting the coordination and education of the Maryland philanthropic sector to effectively prepare for, respond to, and recover from a major local disaster.
For more information and questions, please contact Elisabeth Hyleck, Vice President of Programs and Engagement.
Disaster Philanthropy Playbook
The Disaster Philanthropy Playbook is the comprehensive resource of best practices and innovative approaches to guide the philanthropic community in responding to future disasters.
Designed as a multimedia, interactive website, the Playbook compiles ideas and approaches from multiple organizations and is an “evergreen” resource designed for continued updates and knowledge-building. Community planning, civic rebuilding, legal services, housing, addressing the needs of vulnerable populations, working with local, state and federal government, mitigation and preparedness are some of the common issues faced by communities post disaster that are covered in detail in the Playbook.
The Playbook also allows organizations to prepare for all phases of a disaster. What can we do to plan and prepare our community? What about mitigation? How do we help build a resilient community? What should we think about in the months and years after a disaster as we undertake the arduous path of recovery?
The Disaster Philanthropy Playbook is a joint project of the Center for Disaster Philanthropy and Council of New Jersey Grantmakers in association with the United Philanthropy Forum.
Disaster Grantmaking
Best Practices in Disaster Grantmaking: Lessons from the Gulf Coast
Produced by Philanthropy New York, this report outlines lessons the New York funding community learned as they responded to Hurricane Katrina.
Disaster Grantmaking: A Practical Guide for Foundations and Corporations
Download this study by The European Foundation Centre and the Council on Foundations highlighting how grantmakers can be more effective and strategic in addressing disasters by following eight principles of good disaster management.
Creating Order From Chaos: Roles for Philanthropy in Disaster Planning and Response
The Jessie Ball duPont Fund published this guide based on its experience in working with colleagues in Alabama to recover from that state's devastating tornadoes in 2011.
Providing Releif in Times of Disaster
The Council on Foundation outlines the basic legal considerations of a variety of popular giving options for managers of public and private foundations and corporate giving programs. .
IRS Publication 3833: Disaster Relief - Providing Assistance Through Charitable Organizations
Power Amidst Renewal: Foundation Support for Sustaining Advocacy After Disasters
This 2010 publication recounts the challenges to funding advocacy work after the devastating hurricane season of 2005, including how grantmakers successfully helped empower those affected, as well as tips for funding and preparing for advocacy in response to future disasters.
We Were There: The Role of Philanthropy in National Disasters
This publication from the Council on Foundations shares stories of philanthropic support inchallenging times.
The Center for Disaster Philanthropy
Disaster philanthropy has become an all-too-necessary practice in recent years. Yet donors still are challenged to determine how, when, and to whom to give to have the greatest impact. The Center for Disaster Philanthropy helps individual, family, corporate, and institutional donors answer the question,"How can I help?" more easily and quickly in the wake of a disaster.
The Center provides a platform of learning and connection with leading disaster experts and other disaster philanthropists that brings more private money to disaster response efforts.
Resources for Individual Giving
Click on the links below to find information on our region's philanthropic response to specific disasters, organizations assisting in relief efforts, and resources for donors.
Key Bridge Relief and Recovery Efforts
The Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed after being struck by the 984-foot-long cargo ship, the Dali, early in the morning on Tuesday, March 26, 2024.
COVID - 19 Outbreak
In March 2020, communities around the globe are responding to an outbreak of respiratory disease, known commonly as "COVID -19", which is caused by the virus “SARS-CoV-2”. The virus was first detected in China and has now been detected in more than 100 locations internationally, including in the United States.
2018 Ellicott City Relief and Recovery Efforts
On May 27, 2018, Ellicott City again exerperienced devestating flooding.
2017 North Bay Fires
As of October 12, 2017, fires are still active and evacuations are expanding. From our colleagues at Northern California Grantmakers, we share their resource page that highlights the work of the community foundations in the hardest hit areas - Mendocino, Napa and Sonoma Counties as they respond to the disaster and navigate recovery and rebuilding.
2017 Hurricanes Harvey & Irma
Between August 25th and September 13th, two category 3-5 hurricanes hit the U.S. causing devastating damage to residents and businesses in Houston, Texas and Miami, Florida respsectively.
2016 Flooding in Ellicott City
On July 30, more than six inches of rain fell within hours causing chaos, destruction of homes and businesses, and loss of life in historic Ellicott City.
2016 Orlando Shooting
In the early morning hours of June 12, a gunman opened fire at a gay nightclub in Orlando, leaving 49 people dead and more than 50 injured.
2012 Superstorm Sandy
The Atlantic’s 10th named storm of the 2012 season already has caused dozens of deaths in the Caribbean island nations and the United States, in addition to untold damage from winds, rain, and snow.
2011 Japan Earthquake and Tsunami
On March 11, 2011, a devastating earthquake and tsunami rocked Northern Japan.
2010 Floods in Pakistan
In the last week of July 2010, torrential rains caused devastating floods in large parts of Pakistan.
2010 Gulf Coast Oil Spill
The oil spill disaster in the Gulf Coast is one of the most significant threats to the environment our country has faced in decades.
2010 Earthquake in Chile
Millions of people have been affected by the 8.8 earthquake that struck just off the coast of Chile in February 2010.
2010 Earthquake in Haiti
Millions of people were affected by an earthquake in Haiti in January 2010.
For further information on disaster grantmaking this past decade, contact Elisabeth Hyleck.