Best Practices in Disaster Grantmaking
A joint study of the European Foundation Centre and the Council on Foundations determined that grantmakers can be more effective and strategic in addressing disasters by following eight principles of good disaster management.
- Do no harm.
- Stop, look and listen before taking action.
- Don't act in isolation.
- Think beyond the immediate crisis to the long term.
- Bear in mind the expertise of local organizations.
- Find out how prospective grantees operate.
- Be accountable to those you are trying to help.
- Communicate your work widely and use it as an educational tool.
A number of practical suggestions for good disaster grantmaking flow from these principles and are highlighted in "Disaster Grantmaking: A Practical Guide for Foundations and Corporations".
The Disaster Philanthropy Playbook is another a compilation of philanthropic strategies, promising practices and lessons learned that help communities be better prepared when a disaster strikes their community.