Why Crisis Planning Matters Today
If the past few years have taught us anything, it’s that disruption arrives unannounced. Donors scroll breaking news while your board asks whether it’s “the right time” to launch the campaign you’ve spent months shaping. Having a clear crisis-fundraising playbook means your mission never stalls. In this guide, you’ll learn how to anchor relationships, protect team morale, and keep gifts flowing—using the same online fundraising platform and peer-to-peer fundraising software you rely on every day.
Self-Care Comes First
Fundraising leaders often carry the load quietly when challenges arise. Yet your community relies on you to stay steady and centered. Give yourself permission to pause—step away from the news cycle, take a calming breath, and invite your ambassadors to do the same. A rested, re-energized team can respond with far more heart and creativity than one running on empty when that urgent appeal lands in supporters’ inboxes.
Choose Relationship-Centric Fundraising
When sirens blare, nonprofits respond in three ways. Some freeze and stop asking. Others bulldoze ahead as if nothing changed. The third—and most successful—group fundraises while deepening relationships. They show up in donors’ inboxes with honesty, ask supporters how they are coping, share real-time updates, and offer an easy on-ramp to help. In practice, that mindset delivers stronger lifetime value than any perfectly polished campaign ever will.
Five Plays for Your Crisis Campaign
First, speak up quickly; silence equals invisibility. Second, share vulnerability—let donors see the human side of your staff and beneficiaries. Third, invite supporters to share their own stories so the conversation runs two ways. Fourth, provide authentic updates from the field, even if you’re thousands of miles away; leadership is about perspective, not proximity. Fifth, give people permission to say no. Phrases like “If a gift makes sense for you right now” lower resistance and often encourage a yes.
What the Data Told Us After October 7
Campaigns that delayed more than twice saw success rates plummet, yet those that launched within two weeks—once teams felt ready—thrived. Average gift size dipped, but donor counts rose sharply as giving became an act of identity. CauseMatch clients who leaned into peer-to-peer fundraising reported wider reach because every ambassador’s story resonated more deeply when the community felt under siege. When you lead with mission and empathy, supporters rally.
FAQ
How soon after a crisis should we launch or resume our campaign?
Wait just long enough to assess your team’s capacity and the community’s emotional state—often 5–14 days. Communicate openly with supporters during that window, then relaunch with sensitive, mission-focused messaging.
What’s the best way to prevent donor fatigue during prolonged crises?
Vary your touchpoints: mix heartfelt updates, impact stories, and small gratitude moments between formal asks. Invite donors to set up recurring gifts so they can help steadily without feeling repeated pressure.
Should we lower or raise our matching-gift goal in a crisis?
Keep the match meaningful but attainable. A slightly smaller match can inspire quick momentum, while a stretch goal backed by a committed matcher can galvanize new donors. Align the target with what feels realistic for your community’s current capacity.
What types of nonprofits is CauseMatch best for?
CauseMatch is ideal for community-based organizations—synagogues, schools, camps, and charities—that benefit from peer-to-peer fundraising and matching-gift campaigns.
How does CauseMatch help increase donation results?
Matching campaigns, supporter pages, and coaching combine to raise up to 6× more than traditional methods.
Supporting Materials
Webinar recording: “Fundraising in Times of Crisis”
P2P Guide: peer-to-peer fundraising best practices
Case study: How MEOR Utilized CauseMatch to Raise 235% More
Explore more insights on our blog—start with “Mastering Giving Days: A Roadmap to Engage Donors, Drive Impact, and Ignite Your Cause”—and keep your team crisis-ready all year long.
