Companies are growing more selective about which disasters they help with, a survey of corporate giving executives finds
In a survey of 105 corporate citizenship executives, 42% said their companies are becoming more selective about the crises they support, 92% weigh ties to their own employees and operations, and 53% put local presence first when choosing nonprofit partners.
Share of surveyed companies taking part in each phase of disaster response
New York. Large companies are becoming choosier about which disasters they put money and other resources behind, and most decide by how close a crisis comes to their own business, according to a survey released on Oct. 14 by The Conference Board, Charities Aid Foundation America and Global Impact.
The report, Disaster Philanthropy Practices 2026, is based on a survey of 105 senior corporate citizenship executives. Of their companies, 94% are headquartered in the United States, 62% have annual revenue above $15 billion and 43% above $30 billion. The full report is open to members of The Conference Board; the figures here are from its announcement.
Fewer crises, more rules
Forty-two percent of the executives said their companies are becoming more selective about the crises they support, and 43% are making their strategy, decision criteria and governance more formal. Only 25% are increasing their overall disaster philanthropy, 54% are keeping it about the same and 21% are cutting it.
Nearly all companies, 92%, cite at least one tie to the business, such as affected employees, operations or supply chains, as a key trigger for action. Two-thirds give priority to having employees in the affected area; one-third cite the severity of humanitarian need or the human toll.
A third of respondents said shifts in humanitarian funding have had a significant or moderate effect on them. Among those, 54% face more pressure to help nonprofit partners cover funding gaps.
What it means for nonprofit partners
Asked how they choose partners for disaster response, 53% named strong local presence and community trust as the top criteria, ahead of global scale or brand recognition at 33%. Forty percent are increasing support for locally led or community-based organizations, and the same share are becoming more cautious about unfamiliar partners or places.
“Building those relationships before a disaster strikes can help companies move resources quickly and responsibly when they're needed most.”
Most help still goes to the first days after a disaster. While 94% of companies take part in immediate relief, 46% take part in long-term reconstruction, and 7% deliberately set resources aside for later recovery, rebuilding or resilience. The share engaged in preparedness rose to 57% from 42% in 2023, the groups said.
Of the companies surveyed, 64% offer disaster support to their own employees, most often counseling and mental health services or a hardship fund, but human resources staff take part in disaster philanthropy decisions at only 22% of companies.
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