High Impact Philanthropy: Doug Stockham Of Emergency Assistance Foundation On How To Leave A Lasting Legacy With A Successful & Effective Nonprofit Organization
An Interview with Karen Mangia
Start with a clear mission and vision. These elements define the organization’s purpose and direction, inspiring stakeholders to support your cause.
For someone who wants to set aside money to establish a Philanthropic Foundation or Fund, what does it take to make sure your resources are being impactful and truly effective? In this interview series, called “How To Create Philanthropy That Leaves a Lasting Legacy” we are visiting with founders and leaders of Philanthropic Foundations, Charitable Organizations, and Non-Profit Organizations, to talk about the steps they took to create sustainable success.
As a part of this series, I had the pleasure of interviewing Doug Stockham.
Doug Stockham co-founded Emergency Assistance Foundation (EAF) — a 501(c)(3) public non-profit — in 2011 to help companies take care of their team members in need. Bringing his entrepreneurial spirit to EAF, Doug created an agile and adaptable organization that has provided more than $270 million in financial assistance to over 340,000 individuals and families impacted by disasters and hardships around the world. Doug earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Vanderbilt University and a Master of Business Administration degree in finance from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
Thank you for making time to visit with us about a ‘top of mind’ topic. Our readers would like to get to know you a bit better. Can you please tell us about one or two life experiences that most shaped who you are today?
I went to the oldest high school in the United States. In fact, it was founded before the United States was even a country. In those days — the late 1700s — shipping was very important. Large wooden sailing ships were how most people traveled and how most commerce was done. As you can imagine, there were a lot of shipwrecks. Ships rarely sank slowly on their own. It was usually due to a disaster event of some kind: a forceful storm, an attack, or a collision with a large rock. When a shipwreck occurred, the greatest chance of survival was to stay alive until you were found.
So, my high school had a traditional requirement — dating back to the days of its founding — that all students had to show proficiency in “drownproofing.” In order to graduate, I had to demonstrate, through a series of physical tests, my ability to survive in the ocean for 24 hours, both uninjured and injured. The latter evaluation was simulated by being thrown into the water with my feet tied together and my hands tied behind my back, at which point I was expected to survive for an hour.
Now living in southeast Florida, I spend a good amount of time in the ocean, and I’m grateful for the drownproofing skills I gained as a teenager. Luckily, we’ve also made some progress in 300 years, and now I have a personal Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) that can signal my position to the Coast Guard in a crisis. I also ensure that I always have a small amount of food and water with me, which — if lost for an extended period — could greatly improve my chances of survival until I’m found.
At Emergency Assistance Foundation, I view the grants we make as the food and water that are meant to extend the chances of survival if lost in the ocean. Our grants do not solve all the problems that a recipient faces, but they do provide essential assistance in the interim between disaster or hardship and recovery. And that can make a big difference. Our goal — as it has always been — is to help as many people as we can, as quickly as we can.
You are a successful leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? We would love to hear a few stories or examples.
- Innovation: It can provide creative solutions to new ventures and unforeseen challenges, making an organization more resilient in times of crisis. When Bryan Clontz and I founded Emergency Assistance Foundation (EAF) in 2011, innovation helped form the character of the organization. We were building something that had never existed and, with a goal of administering disaster and hardship relief funds on a global scale — and therefore serving as financial first responders — we knew that we had to utilize innovation to prioritize both agility and stability.
- Resilience: Being able to overcome challenges and remaining steadfast in pursing goals has helped me to lead EAF to become the organization it is today.
- Communication: Effective communication has allowed me to articulate my vision clearly and actively listen to others’ ideas. It fosters transparency, builds trust, and enhances collaboration within any relationship.
What’s the most interesting discovery you’ve made since you started leading your organization?
People are driven by a profound sense of community and compassion to give back, even during difficult or economically uncertain times. They contribute in various ways:
- Volunteering: Despite busy schedules, many individuals volunteer their time and skills to support community projects and causes.
- Donating: People donate money to causes they care about from regular charity contributions to emergency relief funds and crowdfunding campaigns for individuals, even when personal finances are tight.
- Supporting Organizations: People engage with and support organizations through memberships, advocacy efforts, shopping locally, promoting organizations online, and participating in community events.
Can you please tell our readers more about how you or your organization intends to make a significant social impact?
According to the Federal Reserve, 37% of adults would have difficulty covering an unexpected expense of $400. These unexpected expenses, such as a medical bill or home repair stemming from a disaster, can be a hardship for many families.
Emergency Assistance Foundation partners with companies — our Fund Partners — to help their team members who are struggling through unforeseen circumstances, while enabling individuals to meaningfully impact the lives of others. This helps foster a sense of community and solidarity among employees and plays a key role in enhancing positive company culture.
Following an unexpected disaster or personal hardship, our employer-sponsored relief funds award grants that provide essential financial assistance on the path to recovery. In fact, we award 5 grants every hour — helping a family in need every 12 minutes.
What makes you feel passionate about this cause more than any other?
Individuals around the world experience devastating and often unforeseen personal hardships every day — whether it be the death of a loved one, a serious illness or injury, or instances of domestic violence. No matter how difficult the hardship is to endure on an emotional level, it can prove almost insurmountable when combined with the financial strain that often accompanies these events.
Providing crucial financial assistance when an individual or family is dealing with these events — like we do at Emergency Assistance Foundation — is rewarding and gives a unique perspective on life.
Without naming names, could you share a story about an individual who benefitted from your initiatives?
Since our inception, we have provided financial assistance to over 340 thousand individuals and families in need. We regularly receive testimonials about the real impact these grants have had — I will share a few recent stories below:
- “I was in a domestic violence situation and had to quickly leave where I was residing. The grant allowed me to afford staying at a hotel until my new place of residence was ready. This prevented me from being homeless in the frigid winter weather. Thank you for your generosity. I was in an extremely difficult situation with family members, made even more stressful during the holiday season. Your financial help kept me off the streets and allowed me move into my own apartment safely. As a senior, on a fixed income, I am forever grateful!”
- “Two colleagues recommended I look into the relief fund to help my family and I with costs arising from an unexpected house fire. The costs of living in a hotel, food for two teenage boys, gas, plus medical expenses that my husband and sons faced as a result of the fire added up very quickly. In the midst of the event, my father-in-law experienced a near life-threatening brain injury that he continues to battle with nearly two months later. This event has required my husband to out of work on unpaid leave for that entire time to help his mom balance the emotions and challenges of the rollercoaster that lays ahead. I cannot put into words how appreciative and grateful my family and I am for the outpouring of love and support we received, and continue to receive, from my colleagues. While my spouse’s organization struggled to acknowledge our situation, my company was there not just for me, but for my entire family.”
- “My mother passed away while battling cancer. Her condition was slowly getting worse and worse, although her passing away was still a shock when it happened. Financially, I had to use most of my savings to be able to organize her funeral. That is why I have applied for the grant, the receive support for the funeral expenses. Unfortunate events like in my case happen unexpectedly, when people have to make financial sacrifices, because there is no other choice. Besides grieving, worrying about finances and not having savings puts a very negative impact on our lives. That is why it is a great opportunity to be able to apply for such grant, as it can take one less worry off your shoulder. Thank you very much for providing such programs.”
We all want to help and to live a life of purpose. What are three actions anyone could take to help address the root cause of the problem you’re trying to solve?
- Establish an employee relief fund.
- Donate to an employee relief fund (if there is one at your organization) or to one at a company you care about.
- Donate to the People First Fund — or spread the word about it — to get money directly into the hands of those impacted by disasters around the world quickly and efficiently.
Based on your experience, what are the “5 Things You Need To Create A Successful & Effective Nonprofit That Leaves A Lasting Legacy?”
- Start with a clear mission and vision. These elements define the organization’s purpose and direction, inspiring stakeholders to support your cause.
- Build strong leadership. A committed leadership team and board of directors ensures accountability, transparency, and strong decision-making. By recruiting experienced and dedicated leaders who share your passion for the cause, you’re able to foster a culture of integrity and collaboration, which lead to long-term success.
- Develop a strategic plan. A strategic plan is essential for aligning your nonprofit’s activities with its mission and vision. The plan should outline both short-term and long-term goals with clear strategies for achieving them. Regularly reviewing and updating your strategic plan will also help you to stay responsive to changing circumstances and foster new opportunities.
- Harness technology. Technology plays a vital role in nonprofits including automating routine tasks, providing data and insights, fostering collaboration, enhancing transparency, and so much more. Embracing technology has made our operations more efficient and allowed us to make more of an impact.
- Keep learning and adapting. Continuous learning and adaptation are key to the effectiveness and longevity of a nonprofit. This involves assessing outcomes, gathering feedback, and adapting to continuously improve. By fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement, a nonprofit can remain relevant and impactful in its mission.
How has the pandemic changed your definition of success?
Emergency Assistance Foundation and our relief fund activity were greatly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Over 140 new organizations partnered with EAF, and application volume increased to twenty times more than that of a traditional disaster event.
Together with our Fund Partners, we were able to help over 149,000 individuals and families and provide over $98 million in financial assistance to those in need.
Success was not only measured by the total number of people we were able to help, or dollars awarded, but also in the way our team was able to meet an unprecedented moment by harnessing technology and developing scalable platforms and procedures.
How do you get inspired after an inevitable setback?
I reflect, learn, and stay positive. Understanding the cause of the setback usually provides a valuable lesson and helps to prevent anything similar from happening in the future. I also believe there is always a silver lining in each situation, so embracing that mindset helps me to move forward after a setback.
We are very blessed that very prominent leaders read this column. Is there a person in the world who you would like to talk to, to share the idea behind your non-profit? He, she, or they might just see this, especially if we tag them. 🙂
Elon Musk
You’re doing important work. How can our readers follow your progress online?
Connect with us on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/emergencyassistancefoundation
Thank you for a meaningful conversation. We wish you continued success with your mission.
About The Interviewer: Karen Mangia is one of the most sought-after keynote speakers in the world, sharing her thought leadership with over 10,000 organizations during the course of her career. As Vice President of Customer and Market Insights at Salesforce, she helps individuals and organizations define, design and deliver the future. Discover her proven strategies to access your own success in her fourth book Success from Anywhere and by connecting with her on LinkedIn and Twitter.
High Impact Philanthropy: Doug Stockham Of Emergency Assistance Foundation On How To Leave A… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.