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Be Ready-Then GO!

Writer's picture: Ben ChambersBen Chambers

Updated: 3 days ago

Any of us who worked in the nonprofit sector during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic learned a quick, career-altering lesson in disaster fundraising and communications.


You never know when a crisis will unfold ( or what that crisis will look like), but advanced planning can make all the difference.


Think Hurricanes, Floods, or most recently the California Fires.

You have to plan in advance but ultimately every disasters comes with new situations...surprises.

Be Ready, Then Go

Crises are times when our organizations have to stay nimble and adapt to rapidly changing circumstances and MOVE in a quick and decisive way.


Perfection is not the goal; rather, we should focus on being effective, responsive, and nimble as circumstances change.


The legendary general George Patton said it best:


“A good solution applied with vigor is better than the perfect solution applied 10 minutes later.”


Team Kat & Mouse works with organizations that are actively involved with hurricane recovery, and require fundraising and communication plans to change on the fly. We saw the lessons learned during Covid come to life.

We have plans for external communications ready to go long before the season starts...all we had to do was add details.


Here are some key considerations:


1. Be Timely and Relevant

  • Share updates as soon as possible with verified information.

  • Acknowledge the disaster immediately to show awareness and empathy.


2. Focus on Empathy

  • Lead with compassion, emphasizing concern for affected communities.

  • Avoid overly promotional language; prioritize people over programs.


3. Be Clear and Transparent

  • Clearly outline your nonprofit’s role in disaster response and the specific needs being addressed.

  • Provide details on how donations will be used and how they will make an impact.


4. Tailor Messaging to the Audience

  • For donors: Emphasize the urgency and how their contributions will help.

  • For beneficiaries: Offer practical information about available services and how to access them.

  • For partners: Highlight opportunities for collaboration and shared impact.


  • 5. Use Multiple Channels

    • Communicate through email, social media, your website, and local media to reach diverse audiences.

    • Leverage visuals, such as photos and videos, to convey the situation and your response.


    6. Provide Updates

    • Share ongoing updates about the disaster response and recovery efforts.

    • Celebrate milestones and outcomes to build trust and demonstrate accountability.


    7. Maintain Sensitivity

    • Be mindful of the emotional tone. Avoid overly dramatic or exploitative language or imagery.

    • Respect the dignity of those affected in all communications.


    8. Offer Ways to Help

    • Make it easy for supporters to take action, whether by donating, volunteering, or sharing information.

    • Be specific about what is needed and how they can contribute.


    9. Highlight Partnerships

    • Acknowledge collaborations with other organizations, government agencies, and community groups.

    • Demonstrating unity can strengthen credibility and trust.


    10. Reflect and Express Gratitude

    • Thank supporters for their contributions and share how they made a difference.

    • Use storytelling to illustrate the human impact of their support.


    Your plans will change and circumstances will surprise you, but having a clear plan to work from will make your disaster response more effective than it would have been otherwise. If you need help developing a plan, Team Kat & Mouse is here to help - drop us a line for a free consultation!




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