When disaster strikes Western Nevada County, the Community Foundation will be well positioned to help. Twin programs – managing the Nevada County Relief Fund for immediate response and leading the creation of a Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD) – are strengthening disaster response coordination and readying our region for long-term recovery.
Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD)
A Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD) is a coordinated network of nonprofits, government agencies, utilities, and private partners that align resources and communication before, during, and after disasters.
Nevada County Needs a COAD
- High wildfire risk: 92% of Nevada County is in High or Very-High Fire Hazard Zones.
- Vulnerable population: Nearly 30% of residents are seniors, almost double the state average.
- Recent disasters: Wildfires (2020–21) and severe winter storms (2022–23) exposed major gaps in coordination, messaging, and nonprofit capacity.
- Equity at stake: Seniors, low-income households, tribal members, non-English speakers, and those experiencing homelessness are disproportionately impacted.
Our Blueprint for Action
COFO NC engaged nonprofit, government, and faith-based community stakeholders over six months to create a blueprint for the formation of a COAD in Nevada County. The blueprint was finalized in April 2026 and the Community Foundation is currently seeking funding to launch and sustain the COAD. The blueprint contains:
- Roles and responsibilities of the different organizations
- Organizational structure for the COAD
- Communication flow during and after a disaster
- Function teams (sub-committees)
- Funding strategy proposal
Read the COAD blueprint (PDF)
Why Now
COFONC has both the opportunity and responsibility to strengthen disaster readiness. This project builds the systems, partnerships, and trust needed to respond faster and more equitably when the next disaster strikes.
Disaster Relief Fund
The Nevada County Relief Fund (NCRF) was established in April 2020 to mitigate the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis. The NCRF raised nearly $1.3 Million to help dozens of small businesses and nonprofits countywide, with nearly half the money raised from individual donations.
When the Jones Fire hit in August 2020, followed by the River Fire in August 2021, fund managers launched the “Wildfire Recovery and Relief Fund” to get over $400,000 in cash donations quickly to our neighbors impacted by those wildfires.
Today, the Community Foundation of Nevada County manages a single “Disaster Relief Fund” designed to provide flexible assistance in the event of natural disasters, public health crises, or other public emergencies. The fund will provide a pool for immediate aid, as well as continue to grow our ability to respond to longer recovery efforts.