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We are dedicated to

providing aid to survivors and communities

affected by disasters to help them recover and rebuild.

Building on the Entertainment Industry Foundation’s historic commitment to furthering the philanthropic efforts of the entertainment community, Defy:Disaster allows for immediate response in the wake of a disaster. 

By mobilizing the entertainment community and the public and committing to work with key partners and organizations on the ground, the program delivers funding and support of vital services for the immediate relief, as well as long-term recovery, in affected areas.

From its inception in 1942, EIF has focused on some of the most pressing needs of our time, including directing grants toward wartime efforts such as United Service Organizations and American Red Cross. Later, star-studded television specials allowed for fundraising in the wake of the 2010 Haiti earthquake with HOPE FOR HAITI NOW, supporting victims of the bombing at the Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, England with ONE LOVE MANCHESTER, and providing relief to those in the path of Puerto Rico’s Hurricane Maria with SOMOS UNA VOS.

EIF relaunched its disaster relief program in 2020 as Defy:Disaster. Guided by an expert Advisory Council and supported by Unity Partners throughout the entertainment industry, the program has responded to more than 40 natural disasters across six continents.

By mobilizing the entertainment community, Defy:Disaster is able to deliver funding and support of vital services in real time.

WHAT WE DO

children holding up yellow electric lanterns

Preparedness

Defy:Disaster is committed to supporting people during all phases of the disaster cycle, including preparedness. The time to prepare you and your family for emergencies is now. Make a plan, prepare a kit, and familiarize yourself with available resources.

Volunteers removing debris in the tropical heat
Photo courtesy of Team Rubicon

Immediate Relief

During or immediately following a disaster, Defy:Disaster mobilizes to provide funding and vital services to save lives and prevent further property damage.

Woman and her son in Nepal getting fresh water from a black plastic drum
Photo by Sam Tarling

Long-Term Recovery

After damages have been assessed, Defy:Disaster works with our partners on the ground to return the affected community to its pre-disaster state or better. We aim to identify risks that make the area more vulnerable in the future and mitigate those risks, leaving communities more resilient than before.

Advisory Council

Defy:Disaster is guided by an esteemed Advisory Council that includes a team of experts in the field of crisis response.

  • Jeff Schlegelmilch, MPH, MBA

    Director

    National Center for Disaster Preparedness, Columbia University, Earth Institute

  • Kirsten Mildren

    Strategic Communications Chief

    United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Public Advocacy and Campaigns

  • Abby Browning

    Chief

    California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, Office of Private Sector/Non-Government Organization Coordinator

  • Dean Ulrich

    Board Member of Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation and Former Assistant Chief, LAFD

The EIF Board of Directors

Follow us for updates and announcements

We post the latest information for Defy:Disaster responses on our social media channels. Stay up to date by following our feeds.

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