March 17, 2026, Nevada County, CA — The Community Foundation of Nevada County (COFO NC) has been leading the effort to establish a Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD) for Western Nevada County, bringing together nonprofits, faith-based organizations, government agencies, and community groups to strengthen local disaster preparedness and response.
A COAD is a consortium of non‐profit, community-based, and faith‐based organizations that works together to help those impacted by local disaster, serving as an umbrella organization to address gaps in service. The COAD coordinates nonprofit resources, integrating them with local government and working to eliminate duplication of efforts in all phases of disaster preparedness and recovery. After a disaster, a COAD shares information and matches resources with needs.
COFO NC received a $75,000 disaster readiness grant in October from the League of California Community Foundations to stand up a COAD. Over the past several months, a consultant hired by COFO NC has been working with dozens of community partners to create a blueprint for the Western Nevada County COAD, designed specifically to reflect this region’s unique resources, organizations, and challenges. The effort has been happening with input from Nevada County Health and Human Services, the Nevada County Office of Emergency Services, and other key partners, and has included a series of planning meetings with community stakeholders to shape how the COAD will function.
While Eastern Nevada County already operates a COAD, local leaders recognized that Western Nevada County has a distinct set of assets, service providers, and logistical considerations that warrant its own coordinated network.
“The Community Foundation is uniquely positioned to convene community based organizations and lead this effort,” said Cristine Kelly, CEO of the Community Foundation of Nevada County. “We are bringing together organizations that may not normally work together to plan how we can support all members of our community more effectively when disaster strikes.”
More than 42 organizations have participated in the planning process so far, including 211 Connecting Point, American Red Cross, CalDART, CAL FIRE, City of Grass Valley, City of Nevada City, Community Beyond Violence, Durham School Services, Food Bank of Nevada County, FREED, Gold Country Senior Services, Grass Valley Chabad, Grass Valley Ladies Relief Society, Grass Valley United Methodist Church, Interfaith Food Ministry, Nevada County Department of Public Health, Nevada County Office of Emergency Services, PG&E, San Juan Ridge Community Coalition, Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital, Team Rubicon, Town of Washington Fire Department, United Way, Wildfire Ready Coalition of Nevada County. among others.
During the first two planning meetings, participants began identifying the community’s needs before, during, and after disasters, while also mapping the resources and services that local organizations can provide. The group also explored how community organizations can coordinate effectively with the Nevada County Office of Emergency Services to address unmet needs during emergencies.
At the third meeting, participants reviewed the outline of the proposed COAD blueprint. A fourth meeting will provide an opportunity for participating organizations to offer feedback before the blueprint is finalized.
The completed blueprint, expected by the end of March, will include:
- An asset map identifying local organizations, resources, and services available during and after disasters
- A communication plan with contact information for COAD participants to improve coordination during emergencies
- An organizational structure outlining how the COAD will operate
Once the blueprint is finalized, a COAD Manager, working under the guidance of an advisory committee, will begin the process of formally standing up the Western Nevada County COAD later this year, ideally before wildfire risk increases.
“A resilient Nevada County requires the whole community to be involved in disaster planning and preparedness,” said Alex Keeble-Toll, Director of Nevada County’s Office of Emergency Services. “Government and first responders play a critical role, but community partners are a force multiplier in this space. By coordinating communication and resources among nonprofit and faith-based organizations, our COADs streamline and strengthen the ability to meet unmet needs during and after a disaster.”
Faith-based and community organizations interested in participating in the Western Nevada County COAD are encouraged to contact Erika Kosina at erika@nevcofoundation.org.