Are Community Philanthropic Organizations Planning for Climate Change?

Although their role is sometimes overlooked, an Indiana statewide study confirms that most community foundations and United Way agencies directly contribute to meeting local disaster response needs. Although half of all community foundations and United Ways report past service disruptions due to the more severe weather caused by climate change, the majority have not discussed the need to plan for disasters with their boards of directors to assure business continuity. Community foundations lag behind United Ways and direct service nonprofits in risk mitigation, and their leaders are more likely to downplay the potential impacts of climate change on state residents. Climate change discussions can be depoliticized by focusing on each community’s lived experiences with disaster, conducting risk assessments, and networking to share information and effective practices.