Author: afpwnc.org

The disaster caused by Hurricane Helene can make it challenging to fundraise for your institution. At this time, you are likely figuring out how to reconcile your desire to help with the need to fund your organization and its mission. Your mission is still valid and important to the community, but depending on where you sit in the larger relief effort, it may take a back seat temporarily to other priorities. If you have paused fundraising and prioritized your supporters’ well-being, you’ve taken an important step in building trust and empathy with your donors, and you are laying a foundation for future support.

Engage Donors Sensitively

Adapt your messaging and fundraising appeals to reflect the current situation. Avoid using language that might trigger negative emotions or minimize the severity of the disaster. Here are some examples:

“Devastation from Hurricane Helene is having a real and tangible impact on our fundraising mission, but challenging times remind us how grateful we are for our supporters and all you do to make our work possible.”

“Join us in saying thank you to our team for their commitment and tireless efforts to keep our organization’s mission moving forward during these challenging times.”

“We are hard at work to keep our community healthy during this unprecedented time. We welcome your support with an online donation.”

“We’re proud of the way our team members, partners, donors, and community members are working together in this time of need. People are stepping up and showing up to help.”

“When you can, please consider continuing your financial support of our important work. The best way to do so while our events and other activities are on hold is through an online gift.”

Understand Donor Sentiment

• Recognize that many donors may still be recovering from the storm’s devastation. Their immediate focus might be on personal needs and rebuilding their lives.
• While immediate relief efforts are crucial, highlight your organization’s relevancy and connection to the community. Emphasize your worth and how your organization strengthens the fabric of your community, as well as what your long-term needs are.
• If you are involved with relief initiatives, focus on your community’s ongoing needs, such as rebuilding infrastructure, providing mental health support, and supporting long-term recovery.
• Offer multiple donation methods, such as one-time gifts, recurring donations, and in-kind donations. This allows donors to choose the option that best suits their circumstances.

Share Impact Stories

• Highlight the positive outcomes of your fundraising efforts.
• Share stories of individuals or organizations that have benefited from donor support. This can inspire continued generosity.
• Share stories of staff or volunteers who have overcome challenges or have made a special effort to assist your organization during the crisis.
• Share stories of hope, resilience, and the community’s ability to overcome adversity.

Be Transparent

• Maintain open communication with donors. Provide regular updates on how funds are being used and the progress made in recovery efforts. Transparency builds trust and encourages ongoing support. While you may pause or adjust your fundraising efforts, do not stop communicating with your donors.
• Leverage social media platforms to share updates, engage with donors, and create a sense of community.
• Reach out by phone or text to check on the welfare of your donors.
• Send videos to your donors offering your support and gratitude.

Build Community and Resilience

• When you are able, host events that bring people together and foster a sense of community. This can include volunteer opportunities, fundraisers, or simply gatherings for support and connection.
• Collaborate with other local organizations to maximize your impact and reach a wider audience. By working together, you can create a stronger network of support.
• Focus on hope and resilience by emphasizing the positive aspects of the recovery process.
• Be human. Be empathetic. Be full of care. And, carefully, you can still make an ask.

Remember – your cause was, and still is, worthy of funding.

Sincerely,

On September 26, I sat down to write this monthly article, planning to make light of the “spooky season” and question if candy corn was in fact candy or just flavored wax. Now, several days later, I’m penning a very different message.Many have likened Hurricane Helene to be Asheville’s Katrina, and I can see the parallels. Lives have been lost, homes have been destroyed, and many parts of this region have been devastated. But it’s in these moments that I realize just how strong we are. Just how resilient we are. This is when we come together to do what needs to be done.

The word that keeps coming to mind for me is ACTIVATED. For those of you who work with disaster relief organizations, you’ve been on the front lines since even before day one. For those of you serving clients and working within neighborhoods, you’re activated as well, ensuring their safety and providing vital resources. Fundraising professionals across Western North Carolina are raising funds and awareness to help bring us out of this crisis. We are going to play an important role in recovery efforts of this region.

Please know that the Association of Fundraising Professionals – WNC Chapter is here for you. We are working alongside you within our own nonprofits to undergird all that is fragile right now.

Don’t hesitate to reach out to me if you have questions, concerns, or simply need to talk. We are stronger together, and together, we will rebuild.

Best,

Last month, eight of us drove from Asheville to represent the AFP WNC chapter at the NC Philanthropy Conference in Winston-Salem. Hosted by the AFP Triad chapter, upwards of 400 attendees from across the state gathered to connect, network, and learn.

One session I attended focused on community-centered leadership and asset mapping – focusing on what you already have instead of what you lack. By leaning into possibilities instead of needs, you can find synergy in creating forward movement that is actually driven by the community you seek to serve. To paraphrase the movie Field of Dreams, with community-centered leadership, it’s no longer “if you build it, they will come.” It’s “when we build it together, they’re already there.”

I asked a few of my fellow conference attendees to share something they learned from the sessions:

“For me, it was good to be able to connect with other fundraisers in WNC, so that was a highlight. I attended a session on leadership development with some good insights – specifically, to “do your important work at high energy times.” Don’t wait to send important correspondence or donor communications at the end of the day when you may be tired, etc.” – Jason Lewkowicz, Givens Communities

“In a session with Josh Jacobson, I learned that trends in corporate philanthropy are moving away from traditional “sponsorships,” i.e. give to a charity and get your logo slapped on a t-shirt. Instead, nonprofits should start positioning themselves as vendors in a corporation’s social impact strategy, sharing metrics, and ensuring long-term partnership.” – Jess McLean, Read to Succeed Co-Executive Director

“I learned the exact parameters and guidance that AI needs for its prompts to give an effective output.” – Michaela Kelley, Western Carolina Associate Director of Development

“A theme that rose to the top in all the sessions I attended was the importance of being donor-centric in our approaches to fund raising, especially in the context of evolving economic and political seasons. The for-profit world is teaching people to be transactional in their spending, and as non-profits we must invite individuals along with us on our mission journey and make each donor feel like a hero.” – Jessica Frantz, BirdNote Director of Development

“The conference presenters reinforced one of the most important tenets of our work: the greatest gift you can give is your presence – to be fully present. This is essential for building authentic and meaningful relationships with our donors.” – Jennifer Soster, Givens Communities Philanthropy Director

“Involvement + engagement = investment. Spend more time building authentic relationships, connecting with donor interests, and making your donors feel like insiders.” – Lorissa Vines, Hart Square Foundation Development Director

I hope you all can join us for the rest of our programs this year, where we can continue to connect, network, and learn from each other!

Best,