Are You Prepared?

Susan G. Komen for the Cure took a real beating last month for the way it handled its decision (and subsequent reversal thereof) to discontinue its funding of Planned Parenthood. Fundraisers everywhere must have been stunned by how quickly the whole thing took on a life of its own. The venerable Komen was slammed for its decision and because there were conflicting stories about the "why" behind it. There was an unfortunate and insensitive tweet. There was a resignation. Komen's public response seemed disorganized; there was a palpable sense of "scramble" about it, like the organization was allowing itself to be thrashed about by the angry waves of controversy. If that wasn't actually the case, it was at least the perception. And you all know about the importance of perception in nonprofit fundraising.