Our Climate & Disaster Work

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:

 

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.

Our Approach to Climate Resilience

 

Philanthropy California envisions a Golden State where all Californians can live with dignity and security in the face of a changing climate. Where no one’s health or livelihood is compromised by extreme heat, toxic air, drought, or rising costs driven by climate change. Where the ability to stay safe and thrive isn’t determined by your zip code, your race, your income, or your immigration status. Where frontline communities and trusted local organizations are resourced to self-determine climate solutions, ensuring that resilience is built through equity, community wisdom, and collective action.

 

Through multi-sector initiatives and community-driven partnerships, we catalyze long-term climate resilience investments that center economic justice and the leadership of those most impacted by the climate crisis.

 

 

Our Climate Resilience Priorities:

 

Ensuring Equitable and Sustainable Access to Public Funding

 

Philanthropy California works toward a more climate-resilient future where communities most impacted by climate change— particularly communities of color, Tribes, and rural regions — have access to sustained, reliable, and equitable funding to advance community-driven solutions.

  • We are tracking the implementation of Prop 4’s $10 billion climate bond to ensure the funding is accessible, aligned with community priorities, and making the case for more sustained investment in resilience activities.

  • We believe that philanthropy should be engaged in catalyzing partnerships with government grantmakers that improve accessibility of both public and philanthropic funding. Our team conducted research and compiled recommendations to improve the accessibility of public funding and develop deeper cross-sector relationships in our Resourcing Resilience Report.

  • We partnered with the California Office of Emergency Services to provide grant-writing technical assistance to nonprofits across California through our Climate Capacity Project.

 

Leveraging Policy & Partnerships for Climate Resilience

 

We understand the importance of advocating for more effective climate resilience policies and partnerships, and the critical role philanthropy can play in advocating for change. As a result of shifting federal priorities and attacks on climate resilience, Philanthropy California released a statement in support of funding frontline climate organizations and against recent federal attacks.

 

Our current priorities are:

  • Deepening relationships between philanthropy, state agencies, the legislature, and the Governor’s Office

  • Tracking and sharing information on federal executive orders & agency actions that impact climate priorities in California

  • Uplifting the importance of incorporating climate priorities as foundational within the California State Budget

  • Fostering increased investments in climate resilience

 

Convening California Funders to Invest in Climate Resilience

 

As a network of three regional philanthropy associations, Philanthropy California works to uplift regional practices to a statewide audience of funders. We convene philanthropy from across the state to develop shared understanding, leverage deep local partnerships, and offer opportunities to scale innovative solutions. We invite you to join one of our regional climate and disaster funder groups to connect with colleagues and learn more about local efforts.

 

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