2018 Ellicott City Relief and Recovery Efforts

2018 Ellicott City Relief and Recovery Efforts

#ECSTRONG with view of Main Street Ellicott City at sunset

Our thoughts are once again with everyone impacted by the recent flooding of homes and businesses in Ellicott City.

As we do during times of disaster, the Maryland Philanthropy Network will serve as a clearinghouse for resources and information about relief and recovery efforts. This page will be updated as new information is received, so please check it regularly. #ECStrong

Philanthropic Responses: Resources and Information

Community Foundation of Howard County is reactivating the Howard County Community Relief Fund. The Relief Fund was established by the Community Foundation of Howard County to help address needs in the aftermath of a disaster or tragedy within Howard County. The CFHoCo Board uses several factors to decide when to activate the fund, including the severity of the incident, impact on the community, the needs of residents and businesses, and the availability of resources.

Horizon Foundation announced a $10,000 grant to the Ellicott City Parntership and $20,000 to the Red Cross of the Greater Chesapeake Region. Read more here. 

United Way of Central Maryland is also reopening their fund to provide humanitarian relief. One-hundred percent of all donations will go directly to providing relief as quickly and efficiently as possible. 

Please let us know how you are engaged in relief efforts. Grant amounts, assisted organizations, and any other relief work that your organization undertakes will serve as valuable resources as your grantmaking colleagues craft response strategies.

Other Relief Efforts

Ellicott City Partnership is once again accepting donations to help business owners, property owners and residents recover from the flood. 

Preservation Maryland has reactivated their Fund Recovery Fund. Donations to the Fund will support property owners with technical preservation assistance, grants to organization and other charitable recovery efforts as they arise. 

Best Practices in Disaster Grantmaking

A joint study of the European Foundation Centre and the Council on Foundations determined that grantmakers can be more effective and strategic in addressing disasters by following eight principles of good disaster management.

  1. Do no harm.
  2. Stop, look and listen before taking action.
  3. Don't act in isolation.
  4. Think beyond the immediate crisis to the long term.
  5. Bear in mind the expertise of local organizations.
  6. Find out how prospective grantees operate.
  7. Be accountable to those you are trying to help.
  8. Communicate your work widely and use it as an educational tool.

A number of practical suggestions for good disaster grantmaking flow from these principles and are highlighted in this free guide. Click here to read more and download "Disaster Grantmaking: A Practical Guide for Foundations and Corporations".

Click here for more resources about disaster grantmaking.