Research Symposium

BIO

Megan Watkins is a sophomore majoring in Public Health. She received her Associate in Arts during her last two years of high school through a dual enrollment program. Through the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program, she has performed research under Dr. David Berlan regarding philanthropy given by differing types of organizations after major disasters in the Big Bend area. Following her time at Florida State University, she expects to attend graduate school under a specialized Public Health program.

Disaster Aid Type in The Big Bend

Abstract

After hurricanes and other natural disasters, organizations from nonprofit, governmental, for-profit, and religious sectors mobilize to provide aid to affected communities. Understanding how different forms of aid are distributed can help improve disaster response and recovery planning. This study examines patterns of disaster-related philanthropy in Florida’s Big Bend region. Data are collected through an online Qualtrics survey distributed to organizations involved in disaster response using targeted recruitment and snowball sampling. The survey gathers information on organizational characteristics, including approximate annual expenses, types of aid provided, priority communities served, and collaboration with other organizations. Preliminary findings indicate that material aid and direct services such as supplies, rebuilding assistance, and volunteer labor are the most commonly reported forms of support, while financial assistance and grants are reported less frequently. Findings highlight variation in organizational roles and contributions during disaster recovery.

Keywords: Philanthropy, Disaster, Government, Religious, For-Profit, Non-Profit