Disaster Philanthropy at Community Foundation Tampa Bay
Philanthropy in Times of Crisis
No Active Disaster at This Time
There is currently no active disaster affecting our region. This page remains online year-round so we can mobilize quickly when a crisis strikes—whether that’s a hurricane in Tampa Bay, flooding in a nearby county, or a disaster elsewhere in the world.
During a disaster, Community Foundation Tampa Bay serves as a trusted hub for philanthropy, connecting donors, businesses, and nonprofits to the most effective ways to help. Learn more below about how we support our community through preparedness, rapid response, long-term recovery, and building lasting resilience.
In the event of a local disaster, check back here for live updates on where to direct support. When a storm or other crisis is imminent or underway, this page will feature live updates, clear ways to help, and links to helpful resources.
During a disaster, Community Foundation Tampa Bay serves as a trusted hub for philanthropy, connecting donors, businesses, and nonprofits to the most effective ways to help. Learn more below about how we support our community through preparedness, rapid response, long-term recovery, and building lasting resilience.
In the event of a local disaster, check back here for live updates on where to direct support. When a storm or other crisis is imminent or underway, this page will feature live updates, clear ways to help, and links to helpful resources.
How to Help Locally: Our Tools for Impact
These tools are how we move from intention to action - quickly and effectively.
Rapid Response Fund
The Rapid Response Fund supports urgent community needs when a disaster strikes. Community Foundation Tampa Bay acts swiftly with grants to local nonprofits addressing critical challenges that arise during a crisis. Financial resources will be directed to local nonprofits to cover:
- Emergency food, shelter, clothing, medical treatment, and more.
- Storm-related damage impeding the delivery of services such as facility and vehicle repairs, replacing equipment, etc.
- Programming to support long-term recovery efforts.
The Community Foundation staff will work alongside community leaders and other funders to distribute this support in a way that ensures maximizing impact.
Supporting Nonprofits Through the Critical Needs List
When unexpected challenges arise—such as a storm, a sudden surge in demand for nonprofit services, or another emergency—many donors want to give immediately but are not sure where their support will have the greatest impact. Community Foundation Tampa Bay’s Critical Needs List provides a central hub where nonprofits share their most urgent needs, giving donors a clear and simple way to support the community’s top priorities. Because not all needs are met right away, and some nonprofits continue recovering for months, the list remains active at all times, not only during disasters.
View the Critical Needs ListSupporting Nonprofits Through the Critical Needs List
When unexpected challenges arise—such as a storm, a sudden surge in demand for nonprofit services, or another emergency—many donors want to give immediately but are not sure where their support will have the greatest impact. Community Foundation Tampa Bay’s Critical Needs List provides a central hub where nonprofits share their most urgent needs, giving donors a clear and simple way to support the community’s top priorities. Because not all needs are met right away, and some nonprofits continue recovering for months, the list remains active at all times, not only during disasters.
Disaster Giving Guidance
Whether you're focused on the Tampa Bay region or want to support national or international disaster relief, Community Foundation Tampa Bay offers personalized guidance to ensure your generosity goes where it’s needed most - meeting real needs and creating real impact.
Our philanthropic experts can help:
Our philanthropic experts can help:
- Identify trustworthy, high-impact organizations that are making a measurable difference
- Direct funding to urgent needs in the immediate aftermath and to long-term recovery efforts
- Align your giving with the causes and outcomes you care about most
Reach out to our team today to learn how you can make a difference — or to get answers to your disaster giving questions.
Contact UsResources for the Community
View our list of trusted community resources and disaster preparedness information:
Stories of Response & Resilience
See how our fundholders, nonprofits, and partners have helped our community to recover from past disasters - and how we’re building a more resilient future.
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Suncoast Credit Union’s $250,000 Gift Expands Access to Higher Education Through Fuse Program
A $250,000 gift to Community Foundation Tampa Bay, matched by Helios Education Foundation, will directly support the Fuse Scholarship Program at St. Petersburg College and the University of South Florida.
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Competitive Grant Awards: Physical Health and Mental Wellbeing
This year, we proudly awarded more than $710,904 across three targeted subcategories within Physical Health and Mental Wellbeing.
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Protecting Tampa Bay: Annual Competitive Grants Advancing Environmental Sustainability
Community Foundation Tampa Bay is proud to have awarded over $353,000 in funding to support Environmental Resiliency and Sustainability initiatives in our 2025 Competitive Grants cycle.
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