Exclusive Interview: Giselle Holloway, International Rescue Committee

FS: When such an event occurs, where immediate action and support are needed, how do funders typically respond? What’s the best way to ask people to get involved?
GH: When a high-profile disaster occurs, people want to do something immediately to feel like they are helping, whether by sending a check, making a gift online or on the phone, holding a fundraising event, offering to volunteer, or spreading the word through their social networks. The best way to get people involved is to contact them using their preferred mode of communication. A major donor might require a phone call from your president. A long-time direct-mail donor would be more likely to respond to an urgent-gram. Someone who recently signed your online petition might be inspired to make their first donation through a text-to-give campaign. It’s important to be strategic when it comes to communicating with your donors, especially during an emergency when time is of the essence.