Emergency Appeals

Nhu Te is joined by Shawn Olds to discuss how nonprofits have been impacted by COVID-19. 

Bad things happen to good nonprofits. During my career in nonprofits, I have been involved in handling a client's death during my organization's program, a product tampering that threatened our biggest fundraiser, an athletic scandal and a mass shooting on a campus.

I was naive until the first time. After that I became obsessed with being prepared.

Here are my suggestions for better crisis management by your nonprofit: Don't wait. Realize that crises take many shapes. Develop a logistical plan and communications plan. Get your social-media house in order. Prepare to speak. Provide media training.

The bottom line: Be prepared. When a crisis is flaring up, it can be hard to think rationally and implement systems that have to be fast-tracked.

How quickly an organization responds to a crisis and how transparent it is in its communications will determine how rapidly it will emerge from the crisis and, in some cases, its long-term survival and reputation.

Crisis communications planning is a long-term, comprehensive process. But here are a few key points to keep in mind: 1. Have a crisis communications plan. 2. Make sure your plan is updated. 3. Practice your plan on a regular basis. 4. Don't let your plan gather dust.

Dramatic and quickly implemented changes like the United States government shutdown are challenging to respond to promptly and well. Nonprofit marketers like you are already limited in bandwidth and budget so when a change of direction comes fast, it can be hard to redirect. But it’s imperative to jump on these opportunities communications-wise if your issue or services are likely to be directly effected and/or you can "newsjack" this top-of-mind story to bring attention to your issue or cause. Relevance rules but has a short lifetime!

Like you, my heart and head are heavy in the wake of the bombings in Boston. Especially since I feel so helpless. I had a completely different post planned, but wanted to respond ASAP to the questions, worries and just totally wrong communications I’ve seen going out since the bombings Monday afternoon. Most of this outreach was harmless but simply a mismatch with what’s on our minds right now. Because most of us are feeling horror, sadness, fear, uncertainly, and a sense of helplessness and vulnerability. Here are my right-now recommendations for your organization’s response.

The first days following a disaster or other emergencies — like Hurricane Sandy that hit the East Coast this week — can be crucial for organizations as they reach out to supporters and request help. At a time when many organizations may not have the time to outline a formal strategy, here are seven tips that can help any organization make the greatest impact during this time of need.

Given that even the most seemingly innocuously missioned organization can find itself in the center of a crisis, the question is: Are you prepared to deal with it?

The British charities Oxfam and Save the Children appealed for $144.8 million in emergency aid for the drought-hit East African nations of Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia

Two straight seasons of poor rains prompted Oxfam to make a record African aid appeal, seeking $80.4 million to give 3 million people water, food and sanitation, the London-based charity said in an e-mailed statement.

Save the Children said that shortages of food have left some children surviving on one meal of porridge a day, and appealed for $64.3 million to ramp up its response to the worst drought in the region in 60 years.

Three fundraising professionals shared 30 ideas for fundraising success at Fund Raising Day in New York. Here are ideas 1-10.