We learned first about best practices in recovery after a disaster from our sister Community Foundation in Oklahoma City in the wake of the federal building bombing that claimed 168 lives in 1995. Our colleagues taught us much about how to serve the long-term needs following any disaster, and those lessons helped us frame the community response in filling long-term needs after the F5 tornado hit western Jefferson County in 1998.

In addition to sharing knowledge, Community Foundations also share their resources, reaching out across regions and even across the whole nation in times of great need. Community Foundations across America funneled millions in gifts to New York Community Trust in the wake of September 11 bombings and through our Community Foundation and others for relief along the Gulf Coast in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

In the first month after tornadoes devastated Alabama, 10 Community Foundations outside our state made grants of more than $110,000 to the Alabama Tornado Recovery Fund (housed at the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham for statewide benefit) and to the Posted in blog, community foundation, results | Tagged California Community Foundation, Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City Community Foundation