New Report - Rebuilding Better: Beyond the Slogan

Disasters are increasing in frequency and severity. Ideally, we would have learned how to prevent them, but until we do, we must learn how to navigate their aftermath.

In the wake of catastrophe, there is an understandable rush to rebuild and recover what was lost. Yet disasters create a rare and fleeting opportunity to build back differently, to strengthen what was weak and rethink what wasn’t working. Too often, this opportunity is missed.

In many ways, Rebuilding Better is already happening. Startups and small nonprofits are innovating on the ground, responding to immediate needs, while a robust body of work exists around Rebuilding Better policies and system strategies. But to truly seize this moment of fluidity and build stronger societal infrastructure, this thinking must extend into the day-to-day operations of organizations across all sectors.

Since our inception, we have explored how existing technologies and innovative models can transform post-disaster recovery. Through our research and work with portfolio organizations, we’ve seen building better in action—but not yet at the scale we had hoped for.

Over the past 18 months, we’ve had an uncomfortably close view of the devastation in Israel and its neighbors. As an organization with Israeli roots, deep regional understanding, and expertise in crisis recovery, we felt compelled to act. Our work has since expanded into Israel and beyond, engaging in research, grants, and partnerships with funders, innovators, and local organizations. We believe that investing in the recovery of this region is not only essential for its future but also a chance to develop critical lessons and recovery blueprints that can benefit the world.

We are sharing this report for those, like us, navigating a rebuilding moment — leaders in philanthropy, social enterprise, private investment, and beyond - who must make critical decisions in uncertain times. It offers a framework for identifying opportunities within disruption, drawing on technology, financial model innovation, and private-sector engagement, key drivers of resilience and transformation that are often overlooked in recovery efforts.

This report began as an internal effort to refine our intervention approach in Israel and the region. However, as we recognized its potential value to our broader ecosystem, we decided to share our findings. As with all our work, we put this forward as a perspective, not a definitive answer. Use and adapt these insights as you see fit (with credit), and we welcome your feedback.

We are deeply grateful to the partners, founders, and funders who have made this work possible. Special thanks to Adam Dimanshteyn for supporting this project.

Download the report