Exclusive Interview: Giselle Holloway, International Rescue Committee

(Click to see the IRC’s “Rescue Lives in Haiti: How to Help” page.)

You also could include this information in your direct-mail newsletters, appeals and acknowledgments.

FS: What challenges do fundraisers face in disaster-relief efforts? How do you overcome them?
GH: One of the challenges is getting regular, timely reporting from the field. Donors want to know exactly what you are doing on the ground, and sometimes getting that information is difficult because of logistic and technological problems. Other challenges include not having a strong enough brand to get enough attention for your cause, and not having a good infrastructure for processing and acknowledging large volumes of gifts quickly. You can overcome these challenges by making smart investments in technology, systems, people, training and marketing so that when an emergency strikes, you’ll be able to raise funds effectively and efficiently.