Technical Assistance
Jennifer Emerling / There Is More Work To Be Done
Jennifer Emerling / There Is More Work To Be Done
Request for Applications – The Road to Resilience: Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Planning
The Road to Resilience: Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Planning
Welcome to all current participants in HAC’s Rural Capacity Building Programs, Round 4 and Round 5.
Applications are due December 31, 2025.
The Road to Resilience supports rural organizations in building a complete business continuity and disaster recovery plan that protects their operations, staff, and communities during unexpected disruptions. Many rural nonprofits operate with small teams, limited resources, and multiple responsibilities. Even a short interruption can have lasting consequences. This project helps you prepare for the unexpected and strengthen your long term stability.
HAC will guide your team through a structured process that builds practical and realistic continuity strategies. This includes identifying essential functions, mapping dependencies, understanding risks, and developing recovery procedures that fit the size and complexity of your organization. The goal is to help you continue serving your community even when challenges arise.
Your organization will participate in a two day in-person workshop with leadership and functional leads from your primary lines of business, followed by virtual sessions and guided homework. At the end of the process, you will have a customized written business continuity and disaster recovery plan that your team can use, update, and practice over time.
What your organization will gain
- A written business continuity and disaster recovery plan
- A clear understanding of natural and human caused risks
- Strategies to maintain essential operations during disruptions
- A realistic recovery process that fits your organizational structure
- Greater confidence that your services can continue when your community needs them most
Participation expectations
Participation requires involvement from your leadership team and functional leads across your key lines of business, including program staff, administrative staff, and anyone responsible for decision making during a disruption. At least three participants should be involved, and engaging a broader cross-section of staff is encouraged. Two organizations will be selected.
Selection criteria
- Priority is given to organizations that demonstrate:
- Leadership commitment to developing and using a continuity plan
- Multiple service areas or operational lines that require documented contingency strategies
- Staff availability to engage in meetings, analysis, and plan development
- A desire to strengthen resilience and protect service continuity
- Organizational readiness to maintain the plan over time
This opportunity is open to all current participants in HAC’s Rural Capacity Building Program, Round 4 and Round 5.
