The Patterson Foundation strengthened the efforts of people, organizations, and communities through NetHope’s approach. As a membership organization, NetHope partners with 60+ international nonprofit organizations to provide information and communication technology in response to disasters outside of the United States. NetHope also works closely with technology corporations and uses its expertise in communications and disasters to strengthen those international NGOs bringing relief in areas of disaster.

How does this initiative enhance our quality of life?

• Civic Responsibility — Understanding that disaster takes many forms, The Patterson Foundation works to create outcomes that strengthen communities recovering from challenging circumstances.
  
  
• Environment — Communities worldwide live with the threat of natural disasters. NetHope and its member organizations have decades of experience responding to earthquakes, severe storms, and other severe conditions by applying and leveraging technology that supports people following a disaster and the work of those serving them.
  
  
• Health — Technology and internet connectivity give people access to important public safety information during a disaster situation while helping humanitarian aid workers and local officials coordinate their response.
  
  
• Infrastructure — NetHope’s member organizations respond to emergencies around the world, using technology to solve challenges facing people, organizations, and communities. Examples of these efforts include providing online connectivity to refugee camps and rebuilding telecommunications systems following a natural disaster.
  
  
• Nonprofit Sector — NetHope is a consortium of more than 60 of the world’s leading nonprofit organizations delivering aid to people around the world. NetHope provides opportunities for its member organizations to collaborate with major technology companies to solve complex challenges across the globe.

With each disaster, NetHope conducted a thorough assessment of the needs of its members and international government disaster agencies to discern what, if any, information communications technology assistance was warranted. After reviewing each individual disaster, The Patterson Foundation provided a level of unrestricted funding to catalyze other donations for a timely and effective response. The Patterson Foundation provided more than $2.7 million to NetHope between 2011 and 2026.

From the refugee crisis to the Ebola outbreak to Hurricane Maria, The Patterson Foundation’s catalytic support of NetHope’s work to fill information communications technology needs during disasters inspired other funders to lend their resources to help NetHope make a difference.

For more information, contact senior consultant Michael Corley: mcorley@thepattersonfoundation.org.