Funding will help build community resilience in the face of more frequent and intense disasters
The American Red Cross recognizes the Malott Family Foundation for its generous donation of $5 million to support urgent humanitarian needs driven by the worsening climate crisis. This crucial funding will help the Red Cross adapt its disaster response and recovery services to better support families, as well as growing its capacity to help frontline communities.
Last year, the U.S. experienced an all-time high of 28 billion-dollar disasters that ravaged communities and forced hundreds of thousands of people to flee from severe storms, floods and wildfires. The Red Cross is often one of the first on the ground during a crisis, providing emergency shelter, comfort and financial support for those in need, especially families who face more vulnerabilities during disasters. The Red Cross also plays a critical role in helping communities recover and become more resilient.
The Malott Family Foundation’s gift will help expand the innovative Red Cross Community Adaptation Program, which is focused on strengthening local partner networks in disaster-prone counties across the country where families are already struggling with chronic social issues.
“Our family recognizes that the devastating impacts of increasing major disasters are disproportionately being felt by the most vulnerable among us,” said Barbara Malott Kizziah. “We are proud to support the new Red Cross Community Adaptation Program in empowering communities across the United States under threat of extreme weather.”
“We’re profoundly grateful for the Malott Family Foundation's overwhelmingly generous support of our humanitarian work in the face of an intensifying climate crisis," said Gail McGovern, president and CEO of the American Red Cross. "Their remarkable donation will enable us to grow hyperlocal partnerships in disaster-prone areas to ensure we continue to be there for families and communities in their darkest hours.”
The Red Cross launched the Community Adaptation Program in 2022 and currently has field teams in 15 counties spread across 12 states. Through the program, the Red Cross is forging new partnerships with local nonprofits that provide services related to health, hunger and housing with the goal of building more resilient communities that are better equipped to face disasters stemming from the climate crisis.
The climate crisis is taking a heavier toll on frontline communities — especially low-income families, older adults, communities of color and people with disabilities in disaster-prone locations — many of which face other systemic challenges. The Red Cross is dedicated to working one-on-one with people to help them recover after disasters, understanding firsthand how struggles with long-term health conditions, food insecurity, and the availability of safe and affordable housing are worsened by disasters.
“This generous and important leadership investment from the Malott family to the Red Cross Community Adaptation Program will help families and whole communities grow more resilient in the face of escalating major disasters,” said Jack Dangermond, CEO of Esri, and member of the Red Cross Climate Crisis Task Force.
As part of an ambitious climate crisis plan, the Red Cross is also focused on increasing climate programming through its international work, and minimizing its impact on the planet by slashing emissions, cutting waste and lowering water usage. To learn more, visit redcross.org/climate.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.