Disaster Relief Planning Resources for Attorneys and Charitable Organizations

As natural disasters continue to impact communities nationwide, proactive planning is essential for attorneys and charitable organizations to respond effectively and support recovery efforts. To help meet this need, the ACTEC Foundation has released a free downloadable resource, Charitable Planning for Disaster Relief, offering guidance on the key charitable, tax, and planning considerations involved before, during, and after a disaster.

Past ACTEC President Kathleen R. (Kathy) Sherby (2014–2015) emphasized the importance of having trusted guidance available during times of crisis: “When disaster hits, this information will be critical in assisting individuals and communities to recover and return to normalcy as quickly as possible.”

Prepared by the Disaster Preparedness Task Force of The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC), this free guide summarizes key information related to charitable assistance for disaster survivors and provides practical guidance for attorneys, philanthropic advisors, foundations, and nonprofit leaders responding to disasters and other traumatic events. It outlines best practices for structuring disaster relief efforts, including considerations involving public charities, private foundations, donor-advised funds, employer-sponsored relief programs, and the legal framework surrounding disaster relief organizations, and references additional technical resources to assist organizations and advisors throughout the life cycle of a disaster response effort.

In addition, the ACTEC Foundation highlights two companion episodes of ACTEC Trust and Estate Talk podcasts, which are made possible by an ACTEC Foundation grant, to provide additional insight into disaster preparedness and charitable planning.

Providing Charitable Assistance to Survivors of a Disaster features ACTEC Fellow Sue Abbott, one of the authors of the guide, discussing the handbook’s key charitable planning considerations, disaster relief structures, and practical guidance for attorneys and charitable organizations responding to disasters.

Disaster Preparedness for Trust and Estate Planning features ACTEC Fellow Jeff De Francisco, whose home was in the path of California’s Eaton Fire. His firsthand experience highlights the importance of disaster preparedness and underscores the critical role attorneys and advisors play before, during, and after a catastrophic event.

Together, the guide and podcasts provide timely, practical education for attorneys, nonprofit leaders, charitable organizations, and philanthropic advisors seeking to build thoughtful disaster response plans and provide effective, compliant relief assistance when communities need it most.