1. ShelterBox
Empowering Response Teams to Lead
In a Disaster
s
Innovation in the Non-Profit Sector

2. Home is a place we can rely on for comfort. Much more than an address, our house acts as the
headquarters to all activities that make up our personal lives. In most of the world the home provides security
from the outside world, enjoyment, and a place that calls for our constant care and attention. It demonstrates to
society that the residents are plugged into the community and its services. Unfortunately this essential part of life
can be taken away in the blink of an eye. Every year significant natural disasters destroy entire communities
within seconds, leaving thousands of people stranded in their own town without safety, shelter, or clean water.
The ShelterBox Mission
Helping provide shelter and life saving
equipment for survivors of natural and
manmade disasters is the sole purpose of
ShelterBox. For over 10 years they have
orchestrated a global effort that involves hundreds
of volunteers with the mission to deliver
“emergency shelter, warmth and dignity to people
affected by disaster worldwide”. This non-profit
organization recruits and trains hundreds of
proactive volunteers from all parts of the world.
In March 2011 Shelterbox deployed 200 green boxes to the victims of the
Bolivia Floods helping over 2,000 people. In the photo A camp of ShelterBox Core Values
tents. Photo from shelterbox.org
Helping Others
Giving Shelter
ShelterBox,, MBD Business Innovation 2011 Project by Sandra Magana
What is in the ShelterBox? Providing Comfort
The iconic “ShelterBox” is a green plastic chest weighing Giving Safety
approximately 50 kg that is waterproof and durable and can be carried Clean Water
by hand. The boxes have been carried by people wading through water, A dry home
on boats, personal vehicles, and even by camels. Each box contains Relief from distress
essential supplies needed to create a temporary, comfortable, safe home.
The contents are essential home
and safety items for people who
have lost everything.
The items will vary slightly by region but one
box can provide 10 people with necessary
supplies.
In The Box
o Custom tents that sleeps up to 10 persons
o Serving Dishes
o Portable Stove
o Building Tool Set
o Water purification system
o Mosquito Nets
o Children’s activity pack / play kit
o Blankets
A look inside the box. Photo from shelterbox.org
o First aid kit
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3. The delivery of the ShelterBoxes would
not be possible without the group of
volunteers known as the ShelterBox Response
Team or SRT. Not everyone can bear the
challenges of navigating through rugged areas where
infrastructure is damaged and human suffering is
prevalent. For these reasons the organization has
adopted a simple yet rigorous screening process that
allows only the most resourceful, hard working
leaders to fulfill the mission of ShelterBox.
Volunteers responding to a disaster need to figure out
on the spot how to get the supplies to victims quickly.
This is why creativity and innovative thinking are
important qualities for response teams. Additionally Shelterbox Scout Experience May 2011. Photo from shelterbox.org
SRT’s are given the autonomy necessary to go out
into the field and create a new delivery strategy that
is unique to each situation.
“Keep it Simple, Do It Now” the SRT moto
SRT’s learn about disasters by monitoring media outlets around “Innovation does not always have
the world and within their surrounding areas. Once a member is to be linked with technology.
Encouraging autonomy and
made aware of the disaster they begin to assess whether the event flexibility to first response teams
requires the deployment of ShelterBoxes to help the victims. in a disaster is what makes
Once the decision is made to send help, one of the 6 ShelterBox Innovative”
prepositioned ShelterBox warehouses worldwide will
ShelterBox, MBD, Business Innovation 2011 Project by Sandra Magana
release their supplies to SRT’s who will travel with the
boxes and deliver them to the victims directly.
Creating Networks
When it comes to delivering the much
needed supplies to victims, efficiency and the
creative use of resources outside of the
ShelterBox organization is key. A part of the
SRT’s job while in a disaster area is to invent
ways of delivering boxes to their destination.
For example on a recent Haiti Earthquake
relief mission SRT’s teamed up with the 80
second airborne of the U.S. military to
deliver ShelterBoxes to thousands of victims.
Another SRT may need to build a relationship
with a local tribal leader in order to deliver In August 2005 a Category 1 Hurricane devastated parts of New Orleans
relief supplies to the tribe. Louisiana. Shelterbox deployed and deliver 1,320 boxes helping over 13,200
disaster victims obtain temporary shelter and supplies.
In 2010 Virgin Atlantic Airlines flew aid
into Haiti in support of ShelterBox’s efforts in the country. Members of stricken communities have helped efforts by
transporting the boxes using their own boats, animals, rickshaws, and trucks. Building connections with local
authorities and aid organizations is crucial to the success of every mission. Giving ground volunteers the freedom to
2 make new connects is a sustainable core value that encourages success.

4. Sources of Funding
ShelterBox depends on donations from businesses, schools,
rotary clubs, and individuals to sponsor every ShelterBox. Each
green box comes with a unique ID number that can be tracked
on the website so donors know where the box is being
delivered. People can visit shelterbox.org and start their own
“Justgiving” charity fundraising webpage. Additionally the
organization hosts fundraising challenges that can inspire people
to participate in a fun and creative way like the “The Splinter
Bike Challenge”.
An important contributor to ShelterBox success is
its parent organization, the International Rotary Club.
A nonprofit organization with 1.2 million members worldwide
and a commitment “to Service Above Self”. Started in 1905 by
a group of visionary men in Chicago, Illinois, it has become an
important international advocacy group supporting today’s
most pressing global causes. ShelterBox USA is currently the
largest Rotary Club Project in the USA. November 2010 ShelterBox deployed 700 green boxes to the
victims of the Indonesian earthquake and tsunami helping
Over 107,400 ShelterBoxes have been deployed since 7,700 people. Photo of a family inside one of the ShelterBox
the charity was started by Tom Henderson in 2000. tents. Photo from shelterbox.org
This means approximately 1,074,000 people’s lives have been
touched by the Organization’s efforts.
ShelterBox,, MBD Business Innovation 2011 Project by Sandra Magana
ShelterBox currently has 18 affiliates worldwide including
A need was met by ShelterBox USA. The organization has managed to develop a system
ShelterBox: Find a simple of recruiting, training, and deploying volunteers in a manner simple
way to get emergency enough for its leaders to execute in any part of the world under
extreme conditions. Much of the operational success has been the
temporary homes to result of giving ground volunteers the freedom to react to their
victims in need of disaster current situation without having to follow a strict manual for
relief. directions. The design, size and weight of the ShelterBox has also
allowed aid to arrive to even the most remote areas.
ShelterBox has distinguished itself as the only charity organization to offer both shelter and supplies. Through the
ShelterBox kids training, disaster awareness programs hosted by grade school teachers and, by teaming up with the
Scouts Organization, the next generation of strong volunteers will emerge. The core value to “ deliver emergency
shelter, warmth and dignity to people affected by disaster worldwide” is sustainable and is meant to overcome new
challenges that will come in the way of the Shelter Box Response Teams.
Resources:
ShelterBox USA, www.shelterboxusa.org
The Rotary Club, www.rotary.org
Personal Phone Interview with Emily Sperling, President ShelterBox USA, Monday June 27, 2011.
Presenter: sandra1158@gmail.com
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