Fundraising Campaigns For Disaster Relief

When more than 1,100 NSF-backed research projects were canceled in a matter of weeks, the collapse of American education research seemed possible. Imagine spending years building a research program to train rural STEM teachers—only to have your funding wiped out by a short email. That was reality in recent weeks for researchers across the U.S. Projects shut down. Labs closed. Data lost. Grad students left unpaid and uncertain. But just as the lights were about to go out, four private foundations stepped up. Spencer Foundation, Kapor Foundation, William T. Grant Foundation, and Alfred P. Sloan Foundation launched a rare and transformative solution: The Rapid Response Bridge Funding Program. It delivers $25,000 microgrants—fast. No red tape. No months-long reviews. Just the runway researchers need to protect data, complete studies, and uphold commitments to schools and communities. These aren’t just grants—they’re lifelines for projects and early-stage researchers. And they’re doing what federal systems couldn’t: preserving innovation, protecting early-career scholars, and ensuring that education R&D doesn’t become collateral damage impacted by political polarization. The projects affected were meaningful. They included AI-powered math tutors, rural computer science teacher training, and community college data science programs—work that expands opportunity, narrows gaps, and prepares our future workforce. This $25K effort is a masterclass in emergency problem-solving, and a warning shot for anyone who believes science and merit in R&D should be immune to partisan shifts. But let’s be clear: this isn’t sustainable. Philanthropy can move fast—but it can’t fill billion-dollar federal gaps. This is a stopgap, not a system. Still, this inflection point—and the speed of the response—shows what’s possible when institutions prioritize science, innovation, and prosperity over politics. It reminds us that resilience doesn’t always require massive budgets—just fast, focused, human-centered action. My latest article reflects on this unprecedented rescue—and what must come next. Read the article and share your reflections about this effort. #STEM #RDFunding #BridgeGrants #PublicGood #EducationResearch #Innovation #Philanthropy

I sent the same appeal to 10,000 donors. One version raised $67,000. The other raised $142,000. The only difference? Where I put the word "you." Donor-centered writing isn't just nice—it's profitable: • "You" in the first sentence increases response by 23% • Stories about donors (not beneficiaries) raise more money • Questions outperform statements in both open and response rates One organization rewrote their case statement from "we need" to "you can" language and saw major gift closes increase by 41%. The most powerful word in fundraising isn't "give"—it's "you." What small language shift has made the biggest difference in your fundraising?

Let’s get real: decentralizing emergency management isn’t about abandoning federal support, it’s about retooling it. Local governments are best positioned to act quickly, but they need robust backing to do more than just “make do.” Shifting FEMA’s role is not just a theory, it’s a direction supported by GAO findings and emerging policy recommendations. Modernize Information Technology Systems: GAO Report GAO-20-480 (2020) noted that “FEMA has not fully implemented an enterprise-wide strategy for modernizing its IT systems,” underscoring that outdated infrastructure “impedes real-time data sharing and coordination.” Transitioning to unified, cloud-based platforms is critical to overcoming these barriers and ensuring rapid, coordinated disaster response. Create a Combined Grants Management System: GAO Report GAO-21-127 (2021) highlights that “FEMA’s grant management processes remain fragmented and inconsistent,” which contributes to delays in distributing recovery funds. The report emphasized that consolidating these processes “would simplify workflows for state and local governments and improve oversight,” supporting a shift toward more efficient disaster recovery operations. Utilize DI Modeling and Simulations: GAO-20-480 highlights that current data analytics are “insufficient for real-time decision-making.” By replacing manual planning with decision intelligence (DI) tools, FEMA can identify bottlenecks, predict outcomes, and optimize resource allocation, shifting its focus to strategic coordination. Enhance Cross-Communication: Legacy systems IMS still cannot communicate effectively. As DHS S&T’s Enhancing Data Interoperability for Emergency Management (2023) report notes, “Integrated communications platforms are essential” for seamless data sharing. Upgrading interoperability is crucial in today’s environment. Scale EMAC and EMAP: Strengthening frameworks like EMAC and EMAP is vital. These programs facilitate state-to-state aid and standardize local practices, ensuring consistent quality in disaster response. Establish a National Resilience Agency: Proposals have emerged for creating a new agency housed in the White House under the Chief of Staff—tentatively named the National Resilience Agency or Federal Emergency Management and Resilience Agency (FEMRA). This agency would assume a strategic role in coordinating national disaster management while empowering local agencies.

The humanitarian funding situation is dire. It has real consequences for the lives of people who have been forced to flee. At UNHCR’s recent Standing Committee, I shared an update on UNHCR’s funding situation in 2024. The highlights were rather sombre — but solutions are within reach. 📌 We are facing severe underfunding, with up to 78% of needs unmet. Our budget stands at $10.785 billion, with only 38% funded. Contributions from pooled funds have dropped significantly, and our reliance on a small number of donors is concerning. 📌 Flexible funding is crucial for delivering protection and assistance at scale. Nearly 45% of UNHCR’s available flexible funding has been allocated to the underfunded operations. 📌 Growth in private sector funding has been modest but promising. Individual contributions to the Sudan crisis more than doubled in August 2024, marking a significant turning point. 📌 Climate funding is needed. Almost 75% of forcibly displaced people live in the most climate-vulnerable countries. We aim to secure $30 million in additional climate funding by the end of 2024 to respond to increasingly frequent and intense disasters. We must act now to bridge these funding gaps and ensure that forcibly displaced people are not left behind. We must not look away. Kelly T. Clements Ritu Shroff Sajjad Malik Betsy Lippman Raouf Mazou

What's the most expensive delay in fundraising? The 19 days organizations typically wait before following up with first-time donors. Our data shows that trimming that gap by even a few days leads to bigger gifts and higher response rates. The surprising part? We've never found a point where moving faster hurts results. The data from our recent study of 126,000 first-time donors tells a clear story: timing matters more than we thought. Way more. When donors were asked for a second donation within two weeks of their first gift, the results were striking. Not only did they respond at higher rates, but their average gift size jumped significantly. These weren't just statistics - they represented real donors who were still feeling connected to the impact of their initial contribution. There's something powerful about that moment right after someone makes their first gift. They've just taken action to support a cause they care about. When we acknowledge that quickly and show them another opportunity to make a difference, they're more likely to say yes. And not just say yes - but often give more generously than before. But here's the flip side: wait too long to follow up, and that initial enthusiasm fades. We watched response rates drop by half when organizations waited just five weeks to make their next ask. That's the difference between a sustainable fundraising program and one that struggles to retain donors. It's pretty simple when you think about it. Quick, thoughtful follow-up shows donors they're partners in your mission, not just names in a database. And partners stick around. — #directmail #fundraising

The £105,000 email. Yeah, that happened 🥳 A while back we prepared a small email-only campaign for a client, and ended up raising 1/5th of their annual income! How? I hear you ask! ✅ Restricted giving campaign with a tangible outcome – donors could help to pay for a specific vital item needed by families. ✅ Sent out on an international awareness day related to the item in question. ✅ Donors were introduced to the topic and need in the previous news email so they had some warm-up time. ✅ The campaign email clearly explained the need and how donations would be used, with an accompanying video. ✅ Shared the ask on social media at the same time. ✅ A little luck… What was the luck? Somebody on the list was in a position to award grants… The campaign and its clearly-expressed need captured their imagination and they got in touch to pledge a huge £100k grant to this specific project. The end result❓ 🥳 The charity were able to help almost all of the families on the waiting list for this project! They’d only expected to raise £5k. What a result. That’s why even a ‘small’ campaign should be as compelling as possible – you never know whose attention you might grab 👀 I’d love to hear your tips for fundraising appeals? #charity #fundraising #appeal

WHO steps up response to meet rising #health needs after #earthquake in Eastern #Afghanistan: US$ 4 million urgently needed for lifesaving health assistance The World Health Organization is scaling up its #emergency response after a devastating 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck Afghanistan’s Eastern Region on 31 August, killing more than 1457 people and injuring over 3394 The numbers are expected to rise in the coming days. Entire families have been buried under rubble. More than 6782 homes have been destroyed, leaving thousands homeless and exposed to harsh conditions. Hospitals are overwhelmed with the influx of severely injured patients, many in need of urgent surgery and #critical #medical #care WHO’s immediate response has included 23 metric tons of #medicines and #medical #supplies, enough to treat more than 2000 patients, in addition to other emergency health supplies and staff delivered to health facilities in the affected provinces Fifteen #ambulances have been mobilized to transport and refer the injured and 6 mobile health teams are operating in the hardest-hit districts, providing first aid, outpatient care, #maternal and #child health services, #vaccinations and essential #medicines To ease the pressure on #hospitals, WHO has distributed more than 24 000 units of intravenous fluids. Seventeen WHO-supported surveillance teams are on the ground monitoring health conditions to quickly detect and respond to potential #outbreaks “When we speak of casualties, we are speaking of families and communities in crisis,” said WHO Deputy Representative in Afghanistan Dr Mukta Sharma. “Our teams are working around the clock to deliver lifesaving care in areas devastated by the earthquake. The needs are immense. We urgently require more resources to sustain our operations and prevent further losses.” Thousands of families are displaced, living in overcrowded shelters with little access to clean water and sanitation. These conditions heighten the risk of disease outbreaks, and there is an urgent need for basic mental health and #psychosocial #support to address the emotional toll of the disaster. Every hour counts. Hospitals are struggling, families are grieving and survivors have lost everything. With timely support we can expand trauma care, prevent disease and provide vital mental health services. Without it, lives will continue to be lost WHO is appealing for US$ 4 million to deliver lifesaving health interventions, expand mobile health services and support water, sanitation and hygiene activities in affected districts With swift and sustained support from the international community, lives can be saved and vulnerable families protected in the days and weeks ahead Your gift can deliver emergency #trauma #care, #mentalhealth support and vital supplies to families. Stand with them now! Hanan Balkhy https://lnkd.in/e3dDiP-y

Lessons from El Niño: early funding One of the lessons learned from the 2023/2024 El Niño episode is the successful use of pre-arranged funding. Releasing money early helped mitigate the impact of climate shocks on people. I would like to draw attention to two of them: the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) and the African Risk Capacity (ARC). CERF took a proactive approach to responding to this year's El Niño, building on lessons learned from the 2015/2016 episode, where its allocations were often disbursed when the humanitarian impacts were already being felt. This time, the CERF team worked with climate services, regional partners and country teams to plan allocations as early as July 2023. It disbursed over $73 million in early action. Zimbabwe and Madagascar, for example, received payments in December 2023, helping to fund anticipatory action mechanisms. The ARC's insurance payouts were also particularly effective in getting money out quickly. In Southern Africa, these payouts amounted to more than $62 million in 4 countries, enabling governments and partners to quickly address the consequences of the drought. These two mechanisms are particularly interesting because they helped unlock funds before the worst effects of El Niño were visible and before donors were ready to contribute. This early action approach allowed for the funding of anticipatory actions that prevented food insecurity from worsening too quickly. The only setback is the limited scale of these interventions. For example, anticipatory action in Southern Africa reached only 2 million people. There is scope to strengthen and streamline these tools to maximise their impact. #ClimateStories #ElNiño #AnticipatoryAction OCHA Financing and Partnerships Lisa Doughten African Risk Capacity (ARC) Group Photo: Cash distribution in January 2024 by the World Food Programme. OCHA/ Viviane Rakotoarivony

The LA fires have been devastating to so many. I wanted to share a few reminders about donating in a crisis - especially if you have a DAF: 1️⃣ Don’t wait, give now 🚨 For DAF holders, you’ve already set these assets aside exclusive for giving. Take advantage of this “dry powder” in these moments. 2️⃣ Let them know 🤳 Many DAF holders don’t realize if you make a gift to an organization through your DAF portal, the benefitting organization has no idea it’s coming - and won’t know until the gift arrives 1-4+ weeks later. This means they won’t include your support as they’re budgeting for the rapid response needed in a crisis - and your gift might not even go to use for the reason you gave if the moment passed! To solve this you can try to get ahold of someone at the org, or give through DAFpay, which includes your DAF gift in their online campaigns in real time. Adding to their fundraising total motivates even more giving and includes your gift in their immediate response budget. 3️⃣ Support beyond tax exempt organizations 🧑🧑🧒 These disasters affect thousands of individuals and families in need of all kinds of support. Direct aid is a critical part of the response needed. If you know folks affected, ask them how you can best support. I have friends that lost everything 3 weeks before their first child is due - if you don’t have a personal connection to the area but want to make a more personal gift, I can send you the link to their registry as they try to restock baby supplies that I supported. 4️⃣ Use your DAF on GoFundMe for their crisis response funds 💞 The best part of our partnership with GoFundMe is that DAFpay is enabled for their 501c3 entity (GoFundMe dot org), which creates dedicated funds for crisis events, vets individuals/ families / communities in need, and facilitates direct aid. Their California Wildfires fund is linked below 👇🏼 5️⃣ Talk about your giving 🗣️ We too often have a culture where it seems like boasting when we taking about money, even if it’s donating. I say to heck with that - when you share, there is a massive increase in giving from others. Social proof is an enormous driver. 6️⃣ Scams ❌ I read a piece in the Times about scammers - unfortunately people do take advantage of these moments nefariously. The good news is, if you use a DAF, the DAF Provider diligences every request and only pays out to eligible legitimate organizations. I also put this last because it’s easy to hang on any reason to hesitate with giving - just be sure to give please 🙏🏼 #crisis #fundraising #philanthropy 

PSA: For everyone who wants to help after a disaster Emergency managers urge: Give money, not stuff. I’ve stood in warehouses stacked to the rafters with junk. Not help. Junk. Bags of used clothes nobody wants. Piles of canned food — every kind mixed together, half of it needing to be sorted, date-checked, relabeled before anyone can hand it out. And seriously, how many cans of pumpkin do survivors really need? We keep saying “cash, not stuff.” We need to do a better job of telling people why. Cash moves fast. It buys what survivors actually need: food, medicine, tarps. And maybe most important, it gives survivors choice. The dignity of picking clothes that fit, not whatever ended up in a trash bag donation. The National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, or NVOAD, has been saying this for years. They’re the folks who coordinate the churches, food banks and volunteer crews that show up after every storm. Their advice couldn’t be clearer: cash works, junk doesn’t. nvoad.org/donate Are all donated items bad? No. If you’re local, connected to the response and know exactly what’s needed, you can help. But the farther you are from the disaster, the more likely your “good intentions” won’t be needed — or worse, they’ll pile onto the second disaster of unwanted goods. And then the politicians roll in. Smiling in front of a landfill they just created, waving like it’s a parade. Calling it help. Meanwhile, responders are burning daylight managing warehouses instead of managing survivors’ recovery. Repeat after me: Cash, not stuff. If you’re not asked, don’t send it. I wrote this. AI edited it to make sure the commas didn’t break AP style.