Disaster Philanthropy at Community Foundation Tampa Bay
Philanthropy in Times of Crisis
When disaster strikes - whether locally or globally - philanthropy plays a critical role in helping communities prepare, respond, and recover. Community Foundation Tampa Bay supports resilience through proactive investment, swift mobilization, and strategic guidance for philanthropists, businesses, and community stakeholders who want their giving to have the greatest impact. Our work isn't just about hurricanes. From floods and wildfires to community crises, we are ready to respond - and to help you respond - with purpose.
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.
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.
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 sudden surge in demand, an emergency, or storm damage - nonprofits can struggle to maintain essential services. Community Foundation Tampa Bay’s Critical Needs List gives these organizations a way to share urgent, unbudgeted needs with our fundholders, other philanthropists, and the public.
During disasters, this vetted, real-time list becomes a vital tool for connecting donors directly to the most pressing needs in our region. It’s not a competitive grant process—just a fast, transparent way for you to make a targeted gift where it’s needed most and have an immediate impact.
During disasters, this vetted, real-time list becomes a vital tool for connecting donors directly to the most pressing needs in our region. It’s not a competitive grant process—just a fast, transparent way for you to make a targeted gift where it’s needed most and have an immediate impact.
Supporting Nonprofits Through the Critical Needs List
When unexpected challenges arise - such as a sudden surge in demand, an emergency, or storm damage - nonprofits can struggle to maintain essential services. Community Foundation Tampa Bay’s Critical Needs List gives these organizations a way to share urgent, unbudgeted needs with our fundholders, other philanthropists, and the public.
During disasters, this vetted, real-time list becomes a vital tool for connecting donors directly to the most pressing needs in our region. It’s not a competitive grant process—just a fast, transparent way for you to make a targeted gift where it’s needed most and have an immediate impact.
During disasters, this vetted, real-time list becomes a vital tool for connecting donors directly to the most pressing needs in our region. It’s not a competitive grant process—just a fast, transparent way for you to make a targeted gift where it’s needed most and have an immediate impact.
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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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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Almost One Year Later: How Community Foundation Tampa Bay Is Preparing for Hurricane Response
After hurricanes Helene and Milton, Community Foundation Tampa Bay distributed over $5 million in hurricane response. With a new hurricane season upon us, we are spreading the word about the systems and resources we have in place to prepare and support our community.
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Advancing Economic Opportunity: 2025 Annual Competitive Grants Recipients
Community Foundation Tampa Bay recognizes that economic stability and upward mobility are cornerstones of a thriving community. To help our community grow in this area, we have included Economic Opportunity as one of our five strategic focus areas.
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