Client: United Way of King County

For United Way of King County, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and the Seattle Foundation, facilitated a collaborative process to explore the roles the philanthropic sector can play in disaster preparation, response, recovery and mitigation. Facilitated meetings of a 24-member, statewide task force; organized workshops; researched nationwide best practices, and the strengths and gaps in the state disaster response system; conducted key-person interviews. Prepared final report and recommendations: Moving to Higher Ground: Potential Roles for Philanthropy in Helping Washington’s Communities Cope with Disasters. (2009)

Results: The co-sponsors disseminated the report, including to United Ways of Washington. United Way of King County began working with Public Health – Seattle & King County to strengthen communications between the King County Emergency Coordination Center and the nonprofit human services sector so as to improve the exchange of information in disaster situations. The project’s results also were presented at a Philanthropy Northwest member briefing.  View link.