The Power of Giving Season for Relief Funds
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In recent years, the wrath of nature has been felt through various calamities, with winter storms being no exception. Severe winter weather often leaves a trail of destruction, demanding communities rally resources for recovery. An essential part of this recovery is the establishment and mobilization of employee relief funds, aiding your affected team members after these disasters.
Understanding the Threat
The winter of 2022 unfurled the wrath of severe weather in winter with storms wreaking havoc across various regions. Winter Storm Landon blanketed more than a dozen states with heavy snow and ice in early February 2022, causing substantial disruptions. The storm spawned a deadly tornado, led to a 16-car pileup in Memphis, and knocked out power to over 200,000 homes and businesses, showcasing the range of challenges severe winter weather can pose.
The economic repercussions of winter storms in 2022 were staggering. The total damages from weather and climate disasters in 2022 amounted to $165.1 billion. One of the main contributors was Winter Storm Elliott which caused nearly $5.5 billion in damage and resulted in 18 deaths.
A little over one year earlier, Winter Storms Uri and Viola caused catastrophic effects in Texas in 2021, particularly on the state’s energy system. The aftermath was tragic for Texans, with at least 210 individuals losing their lives due to the storm. Furthermore, the economic repercussions for the region were significant and enduring, with estimates suggesting a financial impact ranging from $200 billion to $300 billion.
Between 1980 and 2022, severe winter weather events — including winter storms and freezing temperatures — have cost around $3 billion and resulted in nearly 35 deaths every year.
Looking Ahead
As communities brace for the 2023-2024 winter season, meteorological experts have sounded alarms about the potential challenges ahead. The strengthening of El Niño is expected to herald a colder season with increased snowfall in some parts of the United States, marking a departure from the previous winter.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association’s (NOAA) seasonal drought outlook from October 2023 through January 2024 indicates a 30% chance of this winter’s El Niño being as strong or stronger than notable past El Niño events, potentially leading to significant winter weather events.
The varied weather predictions for this winter emphasize a spectrum of severe weather phenomena that could unfold. For instance, NOAA's 2023-2024 U.S. Winter Outlook hints at warmer-than-average conditions in the northern tier of the continental United States, underlining the importance of tailored regional preparedness strategies.
These forecasts and the historical data from previous years accentuate the critical role of relief funds in cushioning the blow of winter weather adversities for your employees and team members that may be affected by these events. Relief funds not only provide financial aid to the affected populations but also contribute to long-term recovery efforts, underscoring their indispensable role in fostering resilience against the harsh caprices of winter.
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The Significance of Preparation & Relief Funds
Preparation for the winter season includes both infrastructural adjustments and financial readiness. Here's where relief funds come into play:
- Rapid Response: Employee relief funds provide financial assistance to affected individuals and their families, enabling them to address urgent needs like food, shelter, and medical aid.
- Long-Term Recovery: Besides addressing immediate concerns, relief funds contribute to long-term recovery, helping those impacted rebuild.
Investing in winter storm preparedness is a proactive approach to preparing for the winter season. Moreover, the growing frequency of natural disasters underscores the need for robust relief funds to provide financial assistance for your employees and team members who may be impacted.
The winter weather forecast predicts challenging times ahead. However, with strategic preparation of relief funds, organizations can better brace themselves against the harsh realities of winter storms, ensuring a swift and effective recovery in their communities.
How Establishing a Disaster Relief Fund With Emergency Assistance Foundation Will Help Provide Aid
In the aftermath of a natural disaster, severe weather event, or other hardship, your organization can help impacted team members rebuild and recover with a disaster relief fund administered by Emergency Assistance Foundation. A relief fund can boost morale and encourage your internal communities to contribute directly to the support of fellow team members. Establishing a fund can alleviate the stress that disasters put on those within your organization and allow impacted individuals to start on the road to recovery.
If your organization is interested in starting a relief fund, consider establishing a fund with Emergency Assistance Foundation today. As a financial first responder, we are resourceful and fearless in ensuring that financial assistance reaches individuals in need, no matter the unique circumstances involved.
Once you establish a fund, you can also launch an Immediate Response Program (IRP) in the event of a qualified disaster to provide small grants quickly and efficiently. This is a unique, low-cost program, which is supplemental to a fund’s standard grant program and awards small grants (< $1,000) quickly in times of large-scale disasters.
Proactively establishing a relief fund with Emergency Assistance Foundation ensures that your organization is ready to assist any team members that are impacted by natural disasters and other hardships, and it can even be life-saving. According to data analyzed for our landmark 10-year relief fund industry report, natural disasters are the number one event included in the grant criteria for funds that are established with Emergency Assistance Foundation.
In fact, 73% of the over 350 relief funds we administer include natural disasters in their grant criteria. The funds’ sponsoring organizations recognize the growing importance of taking care of their team members in the aftermath of a natural disaster. As the threat of natural disasters continues to increase, now is the perfect time to start preparing for how your organization will respond once the next disaster occurs.
By establishing a fund with us today, your organization can assist members of your team affected by increasing natural disasters, severe weather events, and other hardships. Relief fund grants can help impacted individuals pull through difficult times and start on the path toward recovery. If you’d like to learn more about how your organization can help your team during difficult times, you can review additional information about how a fund works or contact us today. We look forward to helping you make a difference for those who need it most!
