SBP is now Strongward. More than 6,000 homes rebuilt and repaired. More than $80 million in recovery funding secured for under-resourced communities. Same mission, new name. Follow us at @wearestrongward

SBP's Advisory Services equip government and community leaders, households, and businesses with the tools to reduce disaster impacts, accelerate recovery, and build long-term resilience. Backed by over 50 years of combined public service experience, our team provides technical assistance, compliance support, and specialized training programs designed to help communities move from awareness to action. Explore our updated Advisory Services page to learn more and connect with our team: sbpusa.org/advise/

Disaster recovery often slows down at the point where homeowners need the most support — navigating complex systems and funding gaps. Since 2021, SBP’s FEMA appeals program has unlocked $9.12 million for disaster survivors across the nation. In 2025 alone, we secured $4.06 million in FEMA assistance for 1,172 individuals, our highest annual impact to date. Looking ahead, SBP is focused on continuing to rebuild homes efficiently to resilient standards, ensuring every client has access to FEMA appeals support, and expanding our Recovery Acceleration Fund to help homeowners rebuild faster, at no cost to them. 𝐒𝐞𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐒𝐁𝐏 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭: sbpusa.org/blog/2025-impact-…

sbpusa.org/blog/2025-impact-… For nearly 20 years, SBP has helped families recover after disasters and stayed with them long after the headlines fade. Our 2025 Impact Report reflects that commitment and the people behind the work. Inside the report, you’ll see what recovery looked like in 2025 — from ongoing rebuilding after Hurricanes Helene and Milton to the continued growth of our Resilience Fellows program. It shares the progress made alongside homeowners and communities this year, as well as the priorities guiding our work in 2026. Recovery takes time. We remain committed to seeing it through until families are safely home. 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭:

The deadlines for survivors of hurricanes Helene and Milton to submit a FEMA appeal are fast approaching in early 2026. If you were affected by one of these storms, applied to FEMA, and were denied or feel you were under-awarded and still have repair needs, you should appeal the decision. The maximum award amount that FEMA could provide to applicants, depending on need, is as follows: Hurricane Helene: $42,500 Hurricane Milton: $43,600 SBP offers 𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 to homeowners who need help appealing their FEMA awards. Our team can help guide you through the FEMA appeals process and can file home repair/replacement, personal property, or moving and storage appeal types on your behalf. Get help today: sbpusa.tfaforms.net/63?_gl=1…

𝐓𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐆𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲! Right now, you can 𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧 families impacted by disaster finally come home. Thousands are still waiting to rebuild after hurricanes and floods, but your gift today can change that. And thanks to an additional $𝟏𝟐,𝟓𝟎𝟎 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡, every dollar you give will be 𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐝 to rebuild homes, restore stability, and bring families home for the holidays. 𝐁𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧 – 𝐆𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐍𝐨𝐰 & 𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭: give.sbpusa.org/GivingTuesda…

sbpusa.org/blog/sbp-celebrat… Roland Trudell has lived on the lot he bought from his grandfather for more than 50 years. He and his son-in-law, Charles Knapp — both veterans — worked hard to repair their home after Hurricane Helene, but the damage was more than they could finish on their own. SBP stepped in to help complete the remaining repairs, making the home safe and comfortable again. Last week, we were thrilled to celebrate this milestone with a Welcome Home Party! Read Mr. Trudell’s full story:

sbpusa.org/blog/farmers-insu… Since SBP's collaboration with Farmers Insurance began in 2011, @WeAreFarmers employees have volunteered over 50,000 hours on SBP worksites in Louisiana, Florida, Texas, Missouri, and New Jersey. In September, volunteers from Farmers spent two days painting a veteran's home in Tampa, FL, which had been damaged by Hurricane Helene. Farmers' support of SBP's work extends beyond hands-on service. Farmers' backing enables SBP to provide free FEMA application and appeals assistance to homeowners, and supports SBP's long-term recovery and resilience work through programs such as Regional Recovery Acceleration Week (RRAW) workshops and Resilience Fellows. Learn more about how Farmers are helping SBP bring disaster survivors home:

sbpusa.org/blog/sbp-announce… SBP announces two key leadership appointments: Reese May has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer, after previously serving as Chief of Innovation and Strategy, and Lauren A. K. Darnell has joined SBP as Chief of Staff. Both report to Chief Executive Officer Carol Markowitz and serve on SBP’s Senior Leadership Team. As Chief Operating Officer, May leads all of SBP’s operations and programs focused on increasing readiness and resilience before disasters happen and streamlining rebuilding and long-term recovery. A two-time U.S. Marine combat veteran, he brings more than 14 years of experience in disaster resilience, community recovery, and systems change. Lauren was previously Executive Director of the Made in New Orleans Foundation and Program Director of Love Your City. She founded Porch & Okra Consulting, served as a James Beard Foundation Leadership Awards Judge, and co-hosted the digital food series Love to Eat New Orleans. Together, Reese and Lauren bring deep expertise, community-driven leadership, and a shared commitment to SBP’s mission.

sbpusa.org/blog/building-res… A single water line was the lifeline for the entire Bolivar Peninsula and just one storm away from failure. With support from 𝐒𝐁𝐏 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐅𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐌𝐜𝐂𝐫𝐨𝐫𝐲, the community secured $𝟑.𝟑 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧 in mitigation funding to replace it with a storm-resistant system that will safeguard thousands of residents during future disasters. Thanks to @WalmartOrg for supporting the expansion of SBP’s 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐅𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦 along the Texas Gulf Coast, helping communities strengthen their long-term resilience. Learn how SBP Fellows are helping Gulf Coast communities prepare before the next big storm:

sbpusa.org/blog/harry-and-lo… When Hurricane Milton swept through Florida a year ago, it caused significant damage to Harry and Lorraine’s home—ruining their drywall and HVAC system. Milton hit just two years after Hurricane Ian, and Harry and Lorraine had already spent months rebuilding their home while Harry recovered from two heart attacks. With costs mounting and their road to recovery seeming impossible, SBP stepped in. Learn how SBP helped this family rebuild their home:

sbpusa.org/blog/one-year-aft… One year ago this week, two massive hurricanes battered Florida and the Southeastern United States in less than 13 days. Communities across Florida and Western North Carolina have worked hard to regain stability, rebuild, and return home—one step at a time. SBP is supporting affected communities on their road to recovery through direct-service programs and advisory services. In Florida’s Tampa region, we are 𝐫𝐞𝐛𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 for affected survivors. In Florida and Western North Carolina, we are 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐅𝐄𝐌𝐀 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐬 to secure the maximum assistance for which they are eligible. We are also 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 in Florida and Western North Carolina to navigate the recovery process for their communities. To mark the one-year anniversary of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, we are humbled to share the stories of four SBP clients whom we have supported on their journeys home. None of this work would be possible without our donors, whose generosity fuels our impact. One Year After Hurricanes Helene and Milton: Stories of Change 👇

sbpusa.org/blog/a-story-of-r… A year ago, Hurricanes Helen and Milton tore through the southeastern states, causing widespread destruction. One survivor, Ms. Maidenburg, turned to SBP for help after her home suffered significant damage from the storms. Thanks to our Florida Build program set up in the wake of the storms, Ms. Maidenburg was safely returned home this July. Read her full recovery story:

sbpusa.org/blog/sbp-and-the-… Since 2021, SBP and Louisiana Just Recovery Network (LJRN) have teamed up to strengthen disaster preparedness, response, and recovery across Southeast Louisiana. Through funding, training, and technical assistance, this partnership has supported the rebuilding of more than 80 homes, strengthened local disaster preparedness, empowered local leaders, and successfully filed 24 FEMA appeals. Read the full story

nola.com/news/business/new-o… IN THE NEWS: SBP CEO Carol Markowitz interviewed by the New Orleans Times-Picayune on the growth of SBP, lessons learned from Katrina, and the future of disaster recovery. Read the full article:

sbpusa.org/blog/hurricane-he… A year ago, when Hurricane Helene tore through Florida’s Big Bend region, Mr. Lawson suffered roof damage to the home he had lovingly built himself. With his health limiting what repairs he could make himself, Mr. Lawson turned to SBP for help. In July 2025, SBP helped him install a FORTIFIED roof built to withstand the high winds and hurricane conditions that had battered his home. Read Mr. Lawson’s full story:

Last week, SBP conducted a three-day CDBG-DR Leader Practitioner Course in Savannah, GA. The course provided practical experience and insight from successful recovery leaders to help improve the performance of recovery programs nationwide. Designed to empower local government leaders, the course focuses on building predictable, effective long-term recovery programs. It brings together leaders from across the U.S. to learn, collaborate, and find solutions to their communities’ toughest recovery challenges. Thank you to the Walmart Foundation (@WalmartOrg) for making this event possible.

𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘴𝘢𝘧𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴? 🗓️ On Sept. 17 at 11 am PT, join AARP, BECU, SBP & Washington’s Emergency Management Division for a free webinar on household disaster readiness. Learn quick steps to secure your property & protect your family. 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲: aarp.org/disasterprepwa

In August, SBP hosted a three-day Response to Recover Leader Practitioner Course with the @City_of_Mobile, AL. The course provided community leaders and emergency management practitioners with essential strategies for enabling effective disaster recovery and building long-term resilience. #Mobile #DisasterRecovery #DisasterResilience