The Home Depot Foundation announced on May 21 that it is investing more than $5.5 million in grants to nonprofit partners to help communities prepare for, withstand, and recover from natural disasters as hurricane season approaches.
This investment aims to strengthen community resilience and provide critical support throughout the disaster response cycle. The funding will support both immediate relief efforts and long-term recovery initiatives by working with several organizations across the country.
According to the announcement, the grants will fund projects such as community repairs by Habitat for Humanity International in Georgia, Louisiana, and California; volunteer training and home repairs through Team Rubicon; a mobile energy hub trailer by Operation Blessing; a new warehouse and volunteer training for Inspiritus in South Georgia; maintenance of housing for wildfire victims with HomeAid Hawaii; and resilient building training through the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes’ “Strong Homes” program.
Erin Izen, executive director of The Home Depot Foundation, said: “Preparedness is a year-round commitment to building stronger, disaster-ready neighborhoods. With our research showing a ‘recovery lag’ in areas rebuilding after a wildfire, hurricane or tornado, we’re working to prioritize both reactive recovery and proactive resilience.”
The foundation’s focus on fortification comes at a time when the United States has averaged 23 billion-dollar disasters each year since 2020. Research from the National Institute of Building Sciences cited by The Home Depot Foundation finds that every dollar spent on hazard mitigation saves six dollars in future recovery costs.
Long-term recovery remains central to these efforts. In Pensacola, Florida, Habitat for Humanity recently completed all repairs from Hurricane Sally damage with support from The Home Depot Foundation. Andrew Rhodes, director of development for Pensacola Habitat for Humanity said: “Pensacola is a resilient community, but resilience has its limits… For them [homeowners], a leaking roof became something to endure quietly and alone ‘The Home Depot Foundation changed that,’ he added. ‘By repairing the roofs and addressing the resulting interior damage… For the first time in years these families don’t have to worry when clouds gather.’”
Additional funding will go toward programs run by American Red Cross, Convoy of Hope, World Central Kitchen and Appalachia Service Project supporting ongoing response operations including shelter provision, food distribution and pre-positioning supplies nationwide.
