Grant Targets Pre-positioning Supplies and Long-Term Rebuilding Efforts
The Home Depot Foundation Bolsters Disaster Preparedness with $6 Million Grant
As hurricane season approaches, The Home Depot Foundation has announced a $6 million investment to support national and local non-profit organizations in disaster preparedness and recovery efforts. This year’s grant focuses on bolstering response capabilities in hard-to-reach areas, ensuring communities most vulnerable to natural disasters are well-equipped.
“With a record number of disasters in 2023,” said Erin Izen, Executive Director of The Home Depot Foundation, “we understand the critical role of preparation, especially in remote areas. Pre-positioning supplies allows our partners to deliver immediate aid and support long-term recovery.”
A key element of the grant is the partnership with Mercy Corps’ Caribbean Resilience Initiative. This collaboration aims to strategically place supplies and equipment with local organizations throughout Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Similarly, in Alaska, the Foundation is working with partners to expand emergency food distribution networks in Anchorage and surrounding communities.
The grant also continues to support ongoing recovery efforts. Foundation partners like Team Rubicon, Habitat for Humanity, and Purple Heart Homes are actively rebuilding in areas impacted by wildfires in California, historic flooding in Kentucky, and Hurricanes Delta, Ian, Laura, and Maria.
“Disasters strike unexpectedly,” said Nicole Bateman, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Butte County, California. “We know the importance of building disaster-resilient homes. The Home Depot Foundation’s support ensures our future homes meet the highest wildfire mitigation standards.”
Additional funds will go towards disaster relief efforts with organizations like Operation Blessing and the American Red Cross. These funds will support warehouse expansions, emergency meal kit distribution, and the deployment of response trailers and disaster relief kits.
The Home Depot Foundation, the philanthropic arm of The Home Depot, is dedicated to improving veterans’ lives, supporting disaster-stricken communities, and fostering the next generation of skilled tradespeople. Since its inception, the Foundation has invested over $500 million in veteran causes and improved over 60,000 veteran homes. Their commitment to veterans extends to a $750 million pledge by 2030. Additionally, they aim to invest $50 millin by 2028 in training skilled workers through the Path to Pro program.
