Summer Safety: Protecting Your Nonprofit from Natural Disasters

July 11, 2025

Summer brings sunshine, outdoor events, and a sense of community. But for nonprofits, it also means an increased risk of natural disasters. Wildfires, floods, hurricanes, and heatwaves can threaten your property, your people, and your mission.

Is your nonprofit ready? Let’s walk through practical steps to help you prepare, respond, and recover.

Why Disaster Preparedness Matters for Nonprofits

Nonprofits often serve vulnerable populations who are hit hardest when disaster strikes. If your operations are disrupted, the ripple effect can be huge. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reports that nearly 40% of small businesses never reopen after a disaster. Many nonprofits fall into this same risk group.

Being prepared is not just about insurance. It is about protecting your mission, your community, and your ability to keep serving when you are needed most.

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1. Identify Your Risks

Start by reviewing which natural disasters are most likely to affect your area.

Ask:

• Are we in a wildfire-prone region?

• Is our building in a floodplain?

• Do we host outdoor events during peak storm season?

• Do heatwaves threaten the people we serve?

Use local hazard maps, talk with your city or county emergency management office, and check your state’s resources.

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2. Build a Business Continuity Plan

A business continuity plan outlines how you will keep running or restart quickly after an interruption. It should include:

• Emergency contacts: Staff, volunteers, board members, vendors, and community partners.

• Evacuation procedures: Clear routes and roles for evacuations or sheltering in place.

• Data backups: Offsite and cloud-based backups for critical records.

• Communication plan: How you will notify employees, clients, and stakeholders.

Keep a copy of your plan in multiple locations and review it every year.

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3. Review Your Insurance Coverage

Insurance can be complicated for nonprofits, so do not wait until you need it to find out what is covered.

Questions to ask your broker:

• Does our policy include flood or earthquake coverage?

• Are volunteer activities covered?

• How are outdoor events and temporary structures protected?

• Is there coverage for loss of income or extra expenses after a disaster?

If you do not have an insurance advisor who understands nonprofits, consider finding one. The right coverage can make all the difference in recovery.

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4. Protect Your People

Your people are your nonprofit’s most valuable asset. Make sure your staff, volunteers, and visitors know what to do.

• Train regularly: Hold annual safety drills for fire, severe weather, and evacuations.

• Create an emergency kit: Stock food, water, first aid supplies, flashlights, and batteries.

• Plan for special needs: Do you serve clients who may need help evacuating?

When people feel prepared, they are more likely to respond calmly and safely.

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5. Safeguard Your Facilities

Simple maintenance can reduce risk.

• Keep gutters and drains clear to prevent flooding.

• Trim trees and shrubs to create defensible space around buildings.

• Install fire-resistant landscaping where appropriate.

• Anchor outdoor equipment and tents securely.

If you own your building, consider upgrades such as impact-resistant windows, backup generators, or fire sprinklers.

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6. Strengthen Community Connections

No nonprofit operates alone. Building relationships before disaster strikes will help you recover faster.

• Partner with local emergency management agencies.

• Connect with other nonprofits to share resources.

• Let your community know what help you might need and what help you can offer.

These partnerships can turn a crisis into a coordinated community response.

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7. Communicate with Confidence

A clear communication plan is critical. Use multiple channels, like email, phone, social media, and text alerts.

Designate a spokesperson and draft some basic messages in advance. When the unexpected happens, you can focus on the facts rather than scrambling for words.

Final Thoughts: Summer Preparedness Is Year-Round Work

Natural disasters do not make appointments. Preparing your nonprofit now gives you peace of mind, protects the people you serve, and shows funders and community partners that you take your mission seriously.

Take a little time this summer to review your plan, talk with your team, and connect with experts. You never know when those efforts will make all the difference.

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