Best Disaster Preparedness and Relief Grants

Organizations dedicated to emergency response, disaster preparedness, relief efforts, or community resilience are eligible for disaster preparedness and relief grants. Many of these grants fund infrastructure improvements and first responder training, so if your organization focuses on this type of work, you can apply for funding to support your initiatives. Specific groups that could be eligible for these grants include nonprofits, public health organizations, first responders, and government or community agencies working to protect vulnerable populations before, during, and after disasters. Some funders prioritize projects in high-risk areas or those targeting underserved communities with fewer resources to prepare for disasters.

Grants in disaster preparedness and relief typically have the highest concentration of deadlines in Q3, with 27.4% of grant deadlines falling in this period. If you're planning to apply, consider prioritizing your applications around this time to maximize opportunities. Conversely, the least active period for grants in this category is Q4.

The goal of disaster preparedness and relief grants is to keep communities safe and help them recover faster when disaster strikes. Funding supports preparedness efforts like early warning systems, emergency planning, and community education. These grants also help with immediate disaster response, providing food, water, shelter, and medical care to those affected. Long-term recovery efforts, such as rebuilding homes, restoring infrastructure, and offering mental health support for survivors, are also key focus areas for disaster preparedness and relief grants.

On average, disaster preparedness and relief grants provide funding between $500 and $188,250,000, with typical awards falling around $35,000 (median) and $3,056,974 (average). These insights can help nonprofits align their funding requests with what grantmakers typically offer in this space.

Disaster preparedness and relief grants are typically funded by government agencies, private foundations, and corporate relief programs. FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency), the American Red Cross, and the Environmental Protection Agency are examples of larger funders providing grants for both immediate response and long-term recovery. Private foundations, like the American Fundraising Foundation and the St Bernard Project, contribute to disaster preparedness and relief grants as well. Companies like Walmart, Amazon, and Microsoft, also back these grants through their disaster relief funds.

To improve the chances of being awarded disaster preparednessand relief grants, applicants should:

• Align with community preparedness and relief needs – Show how your project addresses specific risks or gaps in disaster preparedness or relief in your community.
• Build strong partnerships – Funders look for projects that can show how they collaborate with emergency responders, local governments, and other community organizations for greater reach and impact.
• Outline data-driven outcomes and results – Show how your program will improve public safety, emergency response times, or recovery efforts. Backing these outcomes with data will further strengthen your application.

Looking for funding opportunities? Explore our list of the best places to find grants and increase your chances of securing funding.