Our Approach to Disaster Resilience

Philanthropy California envisions a Golden State where all Californians are prepared and equipped to not just survive but to thrive in a future of growing climate and disaster impacts. We envision a future where no Californian loses their home, health, job, or livelihood due to a climate-driven disaster event. Where a family’s ability to survive and bounce back after a wildfire or flood doesn’t depend on their income level, their immigration status, their disabilities, or the language they speak at home. And where every community has a well-organized network of trusted organizations that neighbors can turn to for reliable information and support in a crisis.

Through initiatives and cross-sector coalition efforts, we bridge public-private partnerships and drive long-term investments to support those most impacted by climate-related disasters.

Our Disaster Resilience Priorities:

Philanthropic Disaster Response and Recovery Coordination

Philanthropy California tracks disasters, ensures philanthropic funding is flowing to those most in need, and coordinates with multi-sector partners around long-term recovery. Some of the ways we do this work include:

• We track, vet, and list California Disaster Response Funds

• We coordinate funders around long-term recovery (e.g., Los Angeles Wildfire Recovery Collaborative)

• We hold funder briefings and connect funders to resources, local organizations, and government partners during times of crisis

Disaster Recovery and Resilience Advocacy

We understand the importance of advocating for more effective government disaster response and recovery practices, and the critical role philanthropy can play in advocating for change.

Our current priorities include:

• Ensuring state and federal government disaster funding, policies, and processes are fostering equitable, resilient recovery outcomes

• Advocating for increased investments in disaster preparedness and resilience

• Tracking the insurance crisis

• Leveraging relationships with state and federal disaster response agencies to improve cross-sector coordination

Convening California Funders to Advance Resilience

Beyond disaster response, we convene funders statewide to coordinate strategy, deepen investments, and align practice around disaster resilience. Our vision for this work is summarized in our Statement for a Disaster Prepared California.