$500,000 Commitment Strengthens Suncoast's Preparedness for 2026 Hurricane Season

Although disasters throughout the world are growing in size, frequency, and severity, research shows that disaster-related support is currently declining. This is amid a growing need for philanthropy to fill the gap that federal- and state-level changes have left in the nation’s response and recovery structure, especially with regard to long-term recovery.

When disaster strikes, a majority of donations are made within the first week when media coverage is high, with most only going toward immediate relief, leaving a critical gap in long-term recovery efforts—which are identified in the months following an event such as a hurricane after initial emergency and short-term disaster response and relief efforts have concluded. While funding for reconstruction and recovery has increased over the years, it still accounts for only 12.7 percent of disaster funding, with immediate response and relief continuing to dominate donations, according to the Center for Disaster Philanthropy's 2025 State of Disaster Philanthropy Report.

As the Suncoast enters hurricane season, The Patterson Foundation is strengthening our region’s resilience and long-term recovery capacity by committing $500,000 to the Community Foundation of Sarasota County’s Suncoast Disaster Recovery Fund. All contributions to the Suncoast Disaster Recovery Fund are dedicated to long-term recovery efforts.

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