Although religious congregations make a significant impact in providing charitable giving and volunteering in response to natural disasters, responses vary depending on their geographic location and the age of members, a report from Indiana University’s Paul H. O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs and the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy finds.

Based on data published in 2019 by the National Study of Congregations’ Economic Practices (funded by the Lilly Endowment), the report, Giving and Going: US Congregational Participation in Disaster Response, found that a substantial percentage of U.S. congregations participated in charitable giving in 2017 for disaster relief (more than 70 percent) and more than half participated in volunteer relief efforts. Congregations located close to disaster-prone areas were more likely to participate, with congregations composed of older members more likely to give money, and those with younger members more likely to volunteer. The study also found that Black Protestant congregations were much more likely to volunteer for local disasters than are other faith traditions.

“We found that congregations that volunteer for disaster relief efforts are more likely to give to disaster relief efforts,” said Brad Fulton associate professor, Paul H. O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, and a co-author of the report. “Congregations can be an underutilized resource when it comes to coordinating disaster relief efforts. In addition to money, congregations can gather donated supplies, provide volunteers, offer shelter, provide meeting space, etc.”

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