VOAD
Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster — the national network that coordinates the entire voluntary sector so organizations cooperate, communicate, and collaborate effectively.
What is VOAD?
National VOAD (National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that serves as the primary national forum where organizations share knowledge and resources throughout the disaster cycle — preparedness, response, and recovery.
Founded in 1970 after Hurricane Camille exposed the need for better coordination among voluntary organizations, NVOAD now has over 80 national member organizations and a network of state and local VOADs (known as State VOADs or CoADs — Coalitions of Organizations Active in Disaster) in every state.
The Four C's of VOAD
VOAD's mission is built around four principles that guide how member organizations work together:
Cooperation
Member organizations work together rather than in competition, sharing resources and avoiding duplication of services.
Communication
Regular information sharing before, during, and after disasters ensures all organizations have situational awareness and can coordinate effectively.
Coordination
VOAD facilitates coordination among members and with government agencies, ensuring the right resources reach the right people at the right time.
Collaboration
Members work jointly on projects and programs, combining strengths to achieve outcomes no single organization could accomplish alone.
Who belongs to VOAD?
National VOAD members include a wide range of voluntary, faith-based, and community organizations:
American Red Cross
Mass care, sheltering, mental health, blood services
The Salvation Army
Mass care, feeding, emotional and spiritual care
Team Rubicon
Disaster response, construction, veteran volunteers
Catholic Charities USA
Long-term recovery, case management, housing
Habitat for Humanity
Home repair and reconstruction, long-term recovery
Southern Baptist Disaster Relief
Feeding, chainsaw, mud-out, childcare
United Methodist Committee on Relief
Early response teams, long-term recovery, case management
Direct Relief
Medical supplies, pharmaceuticals, equipment
State & local VOADs
Every state has a State VOAD that mirrors the national structure at the state level. Many counties and regions also have local VOADs or CoADs. These groups are the primary coordination mechanism for the voluntary sector during local and state-level disasters. Emergency managers should establish relationships with their State VOAD before a disaster — not during one.
Working with VOAD
Find your State VOAD
Locate your State VOAD through the National VOAD website. Most states have an active organization with regular meetings and exercises.
Attend a meeting
State VOAD meetings are typically open to emergency managers and voluntary organizations. Attending before a disaster builds the relationships that matter during one.
Understand ESF-6 and ESF-14
VOAD organizations are key partners in Emergency Support Function 6 (Mass Care) and ESF-14 (Long-Term Community Recovery). Know how they integrate into your jurisdiction's ESF structure.
Include VOAD in your plans
Reference your State VOAD and key member organizations in your Emergency Operations Plan, Mass Care Annex, and Long-Term Recovery Plan.