It is an understatement to say that our region’s resources and resourcefulness were sorely tested by the 2004 hurricane season. As the dust settled after four hurricanes in less than two months, many disaster response organizations asked what went right, what didn’t work well, and what should change.

Recognizing a unique opportunity to reflect and share lessons learned, Gulf Coast Community Foundation of Venice, in partnership with government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and other local funders from DeSoto, Charlotte, Lee, Manatee, and Sarasota counties, conducted an online survey and held community listening sessions to capture key information about our region’s disaster planning and responses.

The results of those efforts were made available in an interim report and a final report that can be downloaded from our Web site. To view the reports, click on the Lessons Learned links in the menu to the right.

Disaster Relief Loans

The Foundation also offers a Disaster Relief Loan Program, which was established to provide low-interest loans on flexible terms to critical local health or human service nonprofit organizations rebuilding in the aftermath of a disaster. The loans address organizations' unmet, temporary need for capital while waiting for government programs, private insurance, or similar funding to rebuild facilities that are damaged or destroyed in a disaster. To learn more about the Disaster Relief Loan Program, click the "Guidelines and Application" link in the menu to the right.

More Resources

We have also posted useful resources to help nonprofit organizations create an emergency plan. Click on the "Disaster Planning Resources" link in the menu to the right for more information.