New York Disaster Interfaith Services

What New York Disaster Interfaith Services does

New York Disaster Interfaith Services (NYDIS), founded in 2001 in the wake of the September 11 attacks, is a faith-based nonprofit federation designated as the NYC faith sector lead organization for disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. Operating as a 501(c)(3) governed by an independent Board of Directors with Executive Director & CEO Peter B. Gudaitis, NYDIS functions as a federation of over 60 diverse judicatories, disaster human services providers, and charitable organizations spanning Buddhist, Sikh, Muslim, Jewish, Christian, Hindu, and other faith communities. Under formal partnership with NYC Emergency Management and the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, NYDIS holds lead agency responsibilities across Emotional & Spiritual Care, Evacuee Services, Faith Sector Community Preparedness, Temporary Housing, Unmet Needs, and Volunteer Group Housing. The organization has responded to major events including 9/11, Superstorm Sandy, Hurricane Maria, COVID-19, and the NYC asylum seeker crisis, and serves as secretariat for the National Disaster Interfaith Network (NDIN).

NYDIS delivers a portfolio of direct services including Unmet Needs Roundtable financial assistance, Temporary Housing Services, the Evacuee Marketplace, Asylum Seeker Shelter Services, and case management for disaster survivors. Preparedness programming is delivered through the Faith Sector Community Preparedness Program (FSCPP), the HOWalert notification system, the NYC House of Worship Climate Ready Audit Program, and the National Climate Disaster Roundtable. Mental health recovery services are delivered through Elements House – Lower East Side, a Clubhouse International-affiliated facility opened in April 2025. The organization's flagship digital product is the Disasters & Religions App, co-developed with USC's Center for Religion and Civic Culture, providing religious literacy coverage across 27 religions and nearly 400 prayers from 24 traditions.

Revenue is generated almost exclusively through grants (federal, state, municipal, and philanthropic), charitable donations, and partnership-based service delivery rather than fee-for-service revenue. Named recent grants include a $4 million Con Edison climate resilience award (December 2024) and a $200,000 NYC Complete Count Fund award (December 2019). Go-to-market is community-led: NYDIS leverages trusted relationships within faith communities, federates services through 60+ member organizations, partners with government agencies for lead-agency responsibilities, and conducts direct outreach to disaster survivors via case managers and the Evacuee Marketplace. Marketing channels span the organization's website, social channels, NYDISNET newsletter, the HOWalert system, and recurrent events such as the annual Preparedness Summit for NYC Faith Leaders.

Name

New York Disaster Interfaith Services

Legal name

New York Disaster Interfaith Services

Website

https://nydis.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

NYDIS is a faith-based nonprofit federation serving as NYC's designated faith sector lead for disaster preparedness, response, and recovery, delivering services through a 60+ member organization network to disaster survivors, asylum seekers, and diverse faith communities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disaster Relief and Human Services

NAICS

Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242), Temporary Shelters (624221), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse Facilities (6232), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Disaster Recovery, Reconstruction & Resilience Programs (BPAGAAAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Faith-Based Social Services & Community Outreach (Food Pantries, Shelters, Counseling) (BPAGAJAG), Faith-Based Humanitarian Aid & Relief Ministries (BPAGAJAF), Emergency Shelter, Camp Management & Non-Food Items (NFI) (BPAGAAAC), Evacuation, Shelter, Mass Care & Family Reunification (HLAJAGAG)

Keywords

• Disaster preparedness services
• Faith community outreach
• Emergency housing assistance
• Disaster case management
• Humanitarian recovery services

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Grants and Government Funding: NYDIS receives grants from government agencies and utility companies including Con Edison ($4 million climate resilience grants), NYC Complete Count Fund ($200,000 for census outreach), and federal disaster response funding through FEMA partnerships.
2. Donations and Charitable Contributions: The organization accepts donations through its website and partners with philanthropic foundations to fund disaster recovery programs, unmet needs roundtables, and community resilience initiatives.
3. Partnership-Based Service Delivery: NYDIS delivers services in partnership with government agencies (NYC Emergency Management, Department of Health and Mental Hygiene) and nonprofits, with lead agency responsibilities for Emotional & Spiritual Care, Evacuee Services, Faith Sector Community Preparedness, Temporary Housing, Unmet Needs, and Volunteer Group Housing.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

NYDIS is a faith-based nonprofit federation that delivers disaster preparedness, response, and recovery services to New York City, operating as the designated faith sector lead agency for emotional and spiritual care, evacuee services, temporary housing, unmet needs roundtables, and volunteer group housing. It also produces faith-community training programs (FSCPP), climate resilience programming, asylum seeker shelter services, and the Disasters & Religions App for religious literacy among first responders.

Product overview

NYDIS operates as a faith-based federation providing a portfolio of disaster readiness, response, and recovery services to New York City. The organization offers both direct service programs (asylum seeker shelter, temporary housing, unmet needs financial assistance, emergency response) and preparedness/training programs (FSCPP, Climate Resilience). Key digital products include the Disasters & Religions App for religious literacy, while Elements House provides mental health Clubhouse services. The organization leads NYC faith sector disaster response during emergencies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Disasters & Religions App A mobile application providing religious literacy and competency information for disaster responders, chaplains, first responders, and volunteers. Features prayers, tips, and guidance for serving diverse religious communities during disasters and public health emergencies, covering 27 unique religions (Baha'i to Zoroastrianism) including 12 Christian denominations.
• Elements House – Lower East Side A Clubhouse International-affiliated mental health recovery center providing a multilingual, member-driven multicultural space that supports individuals living with serious mental illness through community connection, purpose, and recovery-oriented programming.
• Asylum Seeker Shelter Services Emergency and transitional housing services for asylum seekers, including case management, referrals, and coordination with faith-based shelter programs in NYC.
• Climate Resilience Program Programs helping houses of worship and communities prepare for and respond to climate-related disasters, including the NYC House of Worship Climate Ready Audit Program and the National Climate Disaster Roundtable.
• Faith Sector Community Preparedness Program (FSCPP) A preparedness training and readiness program for faith communities and their leaders, including the HOWalert notification system, emergency planning resources, and continuity-of-operations guidance.
• Unmet Needs Roundtables Financial assistance programs connecting disaster survivors with funding for housing, utilities, furniture, and other unmet needs through partnerships with nonprofits and charitable organizations such as The Salvation Army Greater New York Division.
• Temporary Housing Services Case management and housing assistance for disaster-affected individuals and families, including master lease programs, rental assistance, and coordination with NYC Build It Back and other housing programs.
• Warehouse & Emergency Response Units Physical warehouse facilities and emergency response equipment pre-positioned for rapid deployment during disasters, supporting faith community emergency response capabilities.
• Mental Health Toolkit A standalone resource developed in partnership with THRIVE NYC and INTERFAITH of New York that helps faith and community leaders address mental health complexity, understand COVID-19 impacts on faith communities, and take action to support mental health. Available in English, Spanish, and Traditional Chinese.

Quantifiable outcome

• Reached 3,000+ Hurricane Maria evacuees still in NYC as of 2019 with ongoing recovery support
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• USC Center for Religion and Civic Culture (CRCC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-developed the Disasters & Religions App with NYDIS, providing religious literacy and competency tools for first responders and disaster professionals. CRCC is a leader in religious literacy and competency research.
• NYC Emergency ManagementcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment agency partnership where NYDIS has lead agency responsibilities for Emotional & Spiritual Care, Evacuee Services, Faith Sector Community Preparedness, Temporary Housing, Unmet Needs, and Volunteer Group Housing.
• NYC Department of Health and Mental HygienecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with DOHMH on Emotional & Spiritual Care coordination during disasters and public health emergencies, including COVID-19 response.
• U.S. Department of Homeland Security / FEMAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal agency partners that use tools developed by NDIN and USC CRCC, which NYDIS co-developed, for faith community engagement in disaster response.
• American Red CrosscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational disaster response organization that uses NDIN/NYDIS religious literacy tools for training responders on faith community engagement.
• The Salvation Army Greater New York DivisionmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term recovery partner providing furniture, funding, and support for evacuees and disaster survivors through the NYC-PR Unmet Needs Roundtable.
• Lincoln CentermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCultural institution partner collaborating on 'Memorial For Us All' online memorial concert series to honor COVID-19 victims, featuring performances by Wynton Marsalis and Yo-Yo Ma.
• International Orthodox Christian CharitiesmajorOthersMember organization of the NYDIS federation of over 60 diverse judicatories and disaster human services providers.
• Clubhouse InternationalmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerElements House – Lower East Side is affiliated as a Clubhouse, the first on Manhattan's Lower East Side, providing multilingual mental health recovery support.
• Project RefugemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPuerto Rico-based partner for the Pa'Lante Puerto Rico recovery project, co-sponsoring community events and distributing rebuilding equipment and supplies.
• VOICES of September 11thmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization referring 9/11 survivors to NYDIS' Unmet Needs Roundtable for rental and utility assistance.
• Jazz at Lincoln CentermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in 'Memorial For Us All' memorial concert series performing original compositions by Wynton Marsalis.
• The Interfaith Center of New YorkmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in memorial concert series and ongoing interfaith disaster response coordination.
• New York Board of RabbismajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in memorial concert series and interfaith initiatives.
• Roman Catholic Diocese of BrooklynmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in memorial concert series and faith community disaster preparedness.
• Union Theological SeminarymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in memorial concert series and faith-based disaster response training.
• THRIVE NYCmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity initiative partnership to create mental health toolkit for faith and community leaders addressing COVID-19 mental health impacts.
• UMCOR – United Methodist Committee On ReliefmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDisaster response partner providing emergency food assistance and supplies for evacuees through NYDIS Evacuee Marketplace.
• Delivering GoodmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCharity providing donated clothing and household goods for evacuees distributed through NYDIS Evacuee Marketplace.
• Buddhist Council of New YorkmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMember partner for census outreach to Buddhist communities as part of the NYC Complete Count Fund award.
• United SikhsmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMember partner for census outreach to Sikh communities as part of the NYC Complete Count Fund award.
• Islamic Relief USAmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner at the 2019 Preparedness Summit for NYC Faith Leaders, supporting disaster preparedness training.
• Human Services CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for nonprofit organizations needing Continuity of Operations planning assistance during COVID-19.
• Urban Health Plan, Inc.majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare provider assigned Disaster Case Manager to support Hurricane Maria evacuee family experiencing harassment at shelter.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD): National umbrella coordinating faith-based and nonprofit disaster response organizations, of which NYDIS and NDIN are members. Comparable scope of activity but functions as a convener rather than a direct service provider.

Direct peers

• Lutheran Disaster Response: Faith-based disaster response network coordinated by the ELCA, providing recovery grants and volunteer deployments. Comparable faith-federation disaster model and NYDIS is a member of interfaith VOAD networks alongside it.
• Interfaith Center of New York: NYC-based interfaith organization partnering with NYDIS on memorial events and interfaith disaster coordination. Closest local peer in interfaith civic infrastructure, though focused more on dialogue than direct service delivery.
• The Salvation Army Greater New York Division: NYDIS's named long-term recovery partner in the Unmet Needs Roundtable; both organizations deliver furniture, financial assistance, and case management to NYC disaster survivors. Closest functional peer in NYC with overlapping faith-based identity and co-funding of survivor services.
• Church World Service: Faith-based disaster response and refugee resettlement organization with CROP and national disaster programs. Comparable faith-federation model and overlap with NYDIS on refugee/asylum-seeker services and long-term recovery.

Emerging players

• Tzu Chi USA: Buddhist faith-based humanitarian organization providing disaster relief, medical aid, and community services in the U.S. Comparable faith-rooted disaster-response model and a fellow member of interfaith VOAD networks.
• Clubhouse International: Umbrella organization accrediting Clubhouses for people living with mental illness. NYDIS's Elements House is a Clubhouse affiliate, making Clubhouse International the natural peer for benchmarking NYDIS's mental health recovery program.

Broad incumbents

• Catholic Charities USA: National federation of Catholic social-service agencies providing disaster relief, housing, and refugee resettlement. Comparable federation architecture and faith-based social-services portfolio at much greater scale.
• American Red Cross: The largest U.S. disaster-response organization, providing shelter, feeding, and recovery services nationally. Direct functional overlap with NYDIS in evacuee services, temporary housing, and emotional/spiritual care; broader scale and geographic reach make it a broad incumbent rather than a direct competitor in NYC faith-community coordination.
• Samaritan's Purse: Large evangelical disaster relief organization operating nationally with U.S. Disaster Relief and North American Ministries. Comparable faith-based disaster delivery model at significantly larger resource base.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/NYDISnet
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCMNoyE-rHtDUJnuiLnU7G9g
• Facebookfacebook.com/NYDISnet
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/nydis
• Instagraminstagram.com/nydisnet

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about New York Disaster Interfaith Services