For over a 15 years, Disaster Tech Lab (DTL) has been defined by action. When crises strike, we cut through chaos, restore what’s essential, and help communities get back on their feet. From setting up emergency communication networks to ensuring clean water systems and providing logistical support, our work has always been grounded in one principle: act fast, act smart, and act with humanity. Now, a new chapter begins.

Why We Made This Move

Behind the scenes, big changes have been underway. After months of deliberation with our team, partner organizations, and colleagues across the nonprofit sector, we made the decision to register DTL as a for-profit entity in the United States and move our base of operations to San Antonio, Texas. This decision wasn’t made lightly. We listened, weighed our options, and looked at how we could position DTL for the next decade of growth and impact. In the end, the choice was clear: to stay bold, agile, and future-ready, we needed a structure and a base that give us the speed and flexibility to act. The nonprofit environment in the U.S. is also significantly more fertile—offering greater opportunities for growth, action, and impact than we could achieve elsewhere. On September 19, 2025, our U.S. registration was officially completed.

Keeping Donors and Partners Connected

We know trust is built on transparency. While our 501(c)(3) application is in progress, we’ve secured a fiscal sponsorship agreement with the Inter-American Educational Consortium. What does this mean for our supporters? All donations that meet 501(c)(3) requirements will remain tax-deductible, ensuring continuity for those who back our work.

A Sharper Focus for Greater Impact

This transatlantic move marks more than just a change in location. In the coming months, DTL will undergo a transformation to sharpen our impact. We’re focusing on four core areas where our skills and experience deliver the most value:

• Communications – Restoring networks that connect families, aid teams, and communities when disasters cut them off.
• Medical – Providing immediate, practical care and support to stabilize crisis-affected communities.
• WASH (Water, Sanitation & Hygiene) – Ensuring clean water and safe sanitation systems to protect health and restore dignity.
• Preparedness – Training and equipping communities so they’re ready not just to recover, but to withstand whatever comes next.

This clarity of focus will allow us to do what we do best: respond quickly, adapt to the unexpected, and deliver results that matter in real-world conditions.

Building Stronger Volunteer Networks

Volunteers have always been at the heart of DTL. They are the people who roll up their sleeves, stand shoulder to shoulder with communities, and turn plans into reality. As we move forward, we’re putting renewed energy into community building for volunteers. Expect new opportunities, events, and training programs designed not only to grow skills but to create a stronger, more connected DTL network worldwide.

What This Means for the Future

This isn’t just a relocation—it’s a reinvention. By shifting our base to Texas, we’re closer to global hubs of response, better positioned to collaborate with partners, and equipped with a structure that lets us adapt and scale faster. It prepares DTL for the next decade: a decade where disasters are becoming more frequent, complex, and interconnected. Communities will need support that is practical, fast, and deeply human. That’s exactly what DTL will continue to provide.

Staying True to Who We Are

While our structure and location may have changed, our essence has not. We remain the same team of problem-solvers, builders, and caregivers who show up when things fall apart and stay until stability is restored. We remain guided by our values: practical impact, humanity first, agility, collaboration, and preparedness. Most importantly, we remain committed to working with communities, not just for them—listening, adapting, and ensuring that the solutions we deliver are sustainable long after the crisis has passed.

Looking Ahead

This is an exciting step for all of us at DTL, but it’s also a practical one. It sets the stage for bold action, sustained growth, and deeper partnerships. As we enter this next phase, we’re grateful to the supporters, volunteers, and partners who continue to walk with us. Together, we’ll keep doing what DTL does best: act decisively, stay adaptable, and focus on results.