How to Stand Up a Long Term Recovery Organization

What is a Long Term Recovery Organization?

A Long Term Recovery (LTR) organization is a locally-led coalition that coordinates disaster recovery after the immediate emergency response ends. When the Red Cross shelters close and FEMA moves to the next disaster, the LTR stays.

LTRs typically:

• Coordinate case management for affected families
• Match survivors with resources (grants, volunteer labor, materials)
• Manage volunteer work crews for rebuilding
• Prevent duplication of services between agencies
• Advocate for community needs with state and federal agencies

LTRs are temporary organizations. They exist to close the gap between the disaster and full recovery, then they dissolve. Most LTRs operate for 18-36 months, though some major disasters require longer.

When to Start

The best time to start thinking about LTR formation is immediately after a disaster declaration. You don't need to have everything figured out, but getting the right people talking early makes everything easier.

Key timing milestones:

• Days 1-3: Focus on immediate life safety. LTR is not the priority yet.
• Days 3-7: Emergency management establishes operations. Start identifying key stakeholders for LTR.
• Week 2: Hold first exploratory meeting. Contact your state VOAD.
• Weeks 2-4: Formalize structure, begin case management intake.
• Month 2+: Active recovery operations.

Who Needs to Be at the Table

Effective LTRs are coalitions. No single organization can do long-term recovery alone. Here's who you need:

Essential Partners

Local Government

The mayor, county commissioners, or city manager should be engaged (if not leading). They provide legitimacy, can unlock resources, and are accountable to the community. In Claremore, Mayor Debbie Long was instrumental in convening partners and cutting through bureaucracy.

Faith-Based Organizations

Churches, mosques, synagogues, and temples often have the volunteer base and existing infrastructure that LTRs need. They're trusted in the community and can mobilize quickly. Most long-term recovery work is done by faith-based volunteers.

Your State VOAD

Your state Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster has done this before. They can provide guidance, connect you with national resources (Samaritan's Purse, Team Rubicon, All Hands and Hearts), and help you avoid common pitfalls. Find your state VOAD →

Community Foundation / United Way

These organizations can serve as fiscal sponsors, manage disaster relief funds, and connect you with local philanthropic resources.

Emergency Management

Your county or city emergency manager bridges the gap between immediate response and long-term recovery. They understand FEMA processes and can help coordinate with state agencies.

Valuable Partners

• Social services agencies (already working with vulnerable populations)
• Healthcare providers (mental health needs increase post-disaster)
• School districts (know which families are affected)
• Major employers (can provide resources, volunteers)
• Construction/trades unions (skilled labor for rebuilding)
• Civic organizations (Rotary, Lions, etc.)

First 30 Days Timeline

Organizational Structure

LTRs typically organize around these core functions:

Case Management Committee

The heart of LTR work. Case managers work with individual families to assess needs, connect them with resources, and track progress. One case manager can handle 15-25 active cases.

Volunteer Management Committee

Coordinates volunteer intake, vetting, scheduling, and deployment. This includes both local volunteers and national volunteer groups.

Construction/Rebuild Committee

Manages construction projects, coordinates with volunteer work crews, ensures work meets code, and procures materials.

Finance/Donations Committee

Manages disaster relief funds, tracks spending, handles grants, and ensures transparency.

Communications Committee

Handles public communication, coordinates with media, and ensures affected residents know how to access help.

Initial Funding

LTRs typically access funding from:

• Community disaster relief funds (often established immediately after disasters)
• National faith-based organizations (Southern Baptist Disaster Relief, Catholic Charities, etc.)
• State VOAD grants (often have small rapid-response grants)
• FEMA Community Disaster Loans (for larger disasters)
• Foundation grants (local and national foundations)
• Corporate donations (especially local employers)

Common Mistakes

Waiting too long to organize

By the time you "have time" to form an LTR, the momentum has passed. Survivors are struggling without support, volunteers have gone home, and donations have dried up. Start imperfectly and iterate.

One organization trying to do it alone

LTRs must be coalitions. When one church or nonprofit tries to run everything, they burn out, resources get siloed, and the community doesn't trust the process. Bring partners in early.

No case management system

Without systematic case management, you don't know who needs help, what they need, or what resources they've already received. Duplication of services wastes resources and creates gaps.

Ignoring existing community organizations

The organizations that were serving vulnerable populations before the disaster (food banks, social services, housing nonprofits) need to be at the table. They know the community and have existing relationships.

Not planning for the long haul

Recovery takes years, not months. Staff and volunteer burnout is real. Build in sustainability from the start—paid staff positions, rotating leadership, and clear transition plans.

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