Disaster Philanthropy Practices 2019

How are companies preparing for a future of more varied, more intense, and more frequent disasters?

Many are investing more in disaster preparedness. Some have aligned their disaster philanthropy strategy with their overall corporate sustainability strategies, identifying the link between climate change and intensifying disasters. Still others have outlined the risk of disasters to their supply chains and are supporting small businesses in vulnerable areas to prepare for disasters. Whatever the approach, companies are actively thinking of the best ways to get out in front of their response to the inevitability of future disasters, both natural and man-made.

Disasters are becoming more intense, more frequent, and more varied than before, primarily due to climate change. A survey of members of The Conference Board Corporate Citizenship and Philanthropy Institute Councils, as well as discussions from a joint meeting of the Councils devoted to disaster philanthropy, has found that companies need to be prepared for a range of future disasters, which means being more active in every stage of disaster philanthropy, particularly preparation to help build resilient communities, systems, and infrastructure.