Focus On: Immediate-Response Fundraising: Hope to Carry On

There’s not a limited pool of money in the world, but rather a large untapped supply. For the last 40 years, Americans have spent an average of 2.2 percent of their net income on philanthropy, according to Giving USA, but there’s no reason that number couldn’t be doubled.

Even in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, it’s important for all nonprofits to stay focused on their upcoming fundraising plans. If the nonprofit is doing relief work related to the hurricane, it’s especially important not to cancel the event, because this is a perfect time to explain to donors what the organization is doing. For other nonprofits, it’s important to acknowledge the disaster and, when possible, naturally link their mission to it in some way.