250,000 Dollars Contributed to Center for Disaster Philanthropy for Venezuela Earthquake Recovery

In June, two powerful earthquakes measuring magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5 struck less than a minute apart near Venezuela's Caribbean coast, causing widespread destruction across La Guaira, Caracas, and surrounding communities. The disaster damaged or destroyed tens of thousands of buildings, displaced thousands of residents, and claimed more than 3,500 lives as of July 6. As a nation already facing longstanding humanitarian and economic challenges, the earthquakes have compounded recovery needs for affected communities.

To strengthen medium- and long-term recovery efforts following this disaster, The Patterson Foundation has contributed $250,000 to the Center for Disaster Philanthropy’s (CDP) Global Recovery Fund.

“Our hearts are with the people of Venezuela as they face the difficult journey of recovery following this devastation,” said Debra Jacobs, president and CEO of The Patterson Foundation. “The days immediately following a disaster often inspire an outpouring of compassion, but we understand that true recovery takes months and years of sustained commitment. Through CDP's Global Recovery Fund, we can help ensure that families and neighborhoods have the resources they need to recover with resilience and hope.”

The CDP Global Recovery Fund provides critical support to communities facing severe and often underfunded recovery challenges after disasters and humanitarian crises. It prioritizes addressing medium- and long-term needs, such as rebuilding infrastructure, supporting mental health services, and boosting economic recovery and food security. Donors can direct contributions toward specific international disasters or allow CDP to allocate resources where they are needed most. This flexible approach helps ensure communities receive support throughout the recovery process rather than only during the immediate aftermath.

Since helping catalyze the launch of CDP's Global Recovery Fund in 2019, The Patterson Foundation has contributed $1.5 million to the fund. Overall, since 2013, The Patterson Foundation has invested nearly $8 million in partnership with CDP to strengthen disaster philanthropy and support recovery efforts following disasters and humanitarian crises around the world.

“We are deeply grateful to The Patterson Foundation for this extraordinary commitment to the people of Venezuela. While the world’s attention is often focused on the immediate aftermath of a disaster, survivors face a longer journey toward recovery—especially in communities already facing significant challenges,” said Sharad Agarwal, vice president of fund management and coalition building at CDP. “Philanthropy has a critical role to play in standing with survivors long after the headlines fade, helping families rebuild their lives, strengthen their communities, and create a path toward recovery and resilience."

CDP connects donors with insights, information, and expertise, including those from frontline organizations, to increase donors’ impact before and after domestic and international disasters. As disasters become more frequent and increasingly complex around the world, sustained philanthropic investment remains essential to helping communities recover stronger than before. This latest contribution reflects The Patterson Foundation's ongoing commitment to catalyzing philanthropic investment in recovery efforts to help communities rebuild stronger and more resilient.

Learn more about the Center for Disaster Philanthropy and contribute to its Global Recovery Fund.