Fundraising and Donor Relations in Crisis

What Will You Learn?

• Discussion Forums for Fundraising and Donor Relations in Crisis
• The following discussion forum topics are designed to encourage interactive learning, critical thinking, and peer-to-peer engagement among students in the Fundraising and Donor Relations in Crisis course. These forums will allow students to discuss challenges, share experiences, ask questions, and exchange ideas related to the course content.
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• Forum 1: Identifying Crisis Scenarios and Fundraising Challenges
• Discussion Prompt: In this forum, we invite you to share your thoughts on different types of crises and how they might impact fundraising efforts for a nonprofit. Think about a crisis scenario (e.g., natural disaster, health crisis, economic downturn) and consider the unique challenges it presents for fundraising and donor relations.
• • What types of crises do you think are most challenging for nonprofits to navigate in terms of fundraising?
• • How might donor behavior shift during a crisis, and what can nonprofits do to engage donors during these challenging times?
• • What are some potential ethical challenges nonprofits face when raising funds during a crisis?
• Guidelines:
• • Respond to at least two other students' posts with thoughtful comments or follow-up questions.
• • Share any personal experiences or examples you've encountered (or researched) regarding fundraising in times of crisis.
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• Forum 2: Crisis Communication and Donor Trust
• Discussion Prompt: Effective communication is crucial during a crisis. In this forum, we’ll explore how nonprofits can maintain trust with their donors through transparent and empathetic communication.
• • What are the key principles of crisis communication that nonprofits should follow when speaking with donors?
• • How can nonprofits balance the need for urgency with the necessity of providing accurate, transparent information?
• • Share an example of a nonprofit that successfully communicated with its donors during a crisis (you can look to real-world examples for inspiration).
• Guidelines:
• • Respond to at least one other student’s example or insights.
• • Share a case study or news article about nonprofit crisis communications that you believe was either successful or could have been improved.
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• Forum 3: Fundraising Channels in Crisis – Digital vs. Traditional Methods
• Discussion Prompt: Crisis fundraising often requires a rapid pivot to different methods and channels. In this forum, let's discuss the pros and cons of digital fundraising strategies versus traditional, offline methods during a crisis.
• • What digital fundraising tools (e.g., crowdfunding platforms, social media, email campaigns) do you think are most effective in a crisis, and why?
• • How can traditional fundraising methods like direct mail or in-person events still play a role in crisis fundraising, if at all?
• • Do you think a hybrid approach that uses both digital and traditional methods is the best strategy? Why or why not?
• Guidelines:
• • Respond to at least one other student's post with your thoughts on whether a hybrid approach works.
• • Share any personal experiences or insights from nonprofit campaigns you have been involved with (or have studied) that used either or both types of methods.
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• Forum 4: Ethical Fundraising in Crisis – Striking the Right Balance
• Discussion Prompt: Ethical fundraising is especially important in times of crisis, when emotions run high and donors may feel more vulnerable. In this forum, let's discuss the ethical challenges nonprofits may face and how they can navigate them during a crisis.
• • What are the ethical challenges associated with raising funds during a crisis (e.g., emotional appeals, transparency of fund usage, donor privacy)?
• • How can nonprofits ensure they don’t exploit the crisis for their own gain while still effectively raising funds to address urgent needs?
• • Share any real-world examples of ethical dilemmas in crisis fundraising, and discuss how you think the nonprofit could have handled them differently.
• Guidelines:
• • Respond to at least two other students’ posts with your thoughts or any additional ethical concerns you think nonprofits face during a crisis.
• • Bring in examples or news stories related to ethical challenges in crisis fundraising.
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• Forum 5: Post-Crisis Fundraising and Long-Term Donor Engagement
• Discussion Prompt: After a crisis subsides, nonprofits must focus on rebuilding and maintaining relationships with donors. This forum will explore how to keep donors engaged long after the crisis is over.
• • What strategies can nonprofits use to maintain donor engagement post-crisis?
• • How can nonprofits demonstrate the impact of donations and show appreciation for donors' support during a difficult time?
• • In your opinion, what is the most important factor in keeping donors loyal and committed after a crisis?
• Guidelines:
• • Respond to at least one other student’s ideas on post-crisis donor engagement strategies.
• • Share any examples of nonprofit organizations that excelled in long-term donor engagement following a crisis.
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• Forum 6: Crisis Fundraising Campaign Design - Group Brainstorming
• Discussion Prompt: In this collaborative forum, we’ll work together to brainstorm ideas for a crisis fundraising campaign. Each student will contribute ideas for how to design a campaign that responds to a specific crisis (e.g., a natural disaster or global health crisis).
• • What crisis scenario should we focus on for this brainstorming session?
• • What types of fundraising methods (digital, traditional, hybrid) should we consider for this campaign?
• • How can we make our messaging and appeals emotionally compelling yet transparent?
• Guidelines:
• • Share at least one idea for a crisis fundraising campaign, either a creative concept or a specific fundraising channel.
• • Collaborate with others by responding to their ideas and suggesting ways to improve or expand upon them.
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• Forum 7: Learning from Past Crisis Fundraising Campaigns
• Discussion Prompt: In this forum, we will look at past crisis fundraising campaigns to analyze what worked and what didn’t. Research a fundraising campaign that took place during or after a major crisis, and share your analysis with the group.
• • What were the key strategies used in the campaign, and how effective were they?
• • How did the organization engage with donors, and what methods were used to build trust?
• • What lessons can we learn from this campaign that could apply to future crisis fundraising efforts?
• Guidelines:
• • Share your analysis of a past campaign with supporting details (e.g., outcomes, fundraising techniques).
• • Respond to at least one other student’s analysis with your thoughts on how their chosen campaign could be improved.
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• Forum 8: Q&A: Crisis Fundraising and Donor Relations
• Discussion Prompt: In this open Q&A forum, feel free to ask any questions you have about fundraising and donor relations during a crisis. This is a space for sharing challenges, asking for advice, or clarifying course concepts.
• • What questions or challenges have you encountered while learning about crisis fundraising?
• • Are there any specific topics or strategies you’d like more clarity on?
• • Have you encountered any particularly difficult situations related to fundraising or donor relations during a crisis (in your studies or professional work)?
• Guidelines:
• • Post your questions, challenges, or areas for further discussion.
• • Respond to at least one other student’s question or concern by offering advice or sharing your own perspective.
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• Forum Etiquette Guidelines:
• • Be respectful of others’ opinions and experiences.
• • Share personal experiences and case studies to enrich discussions.
• • Engage with peers by asking follow-up questions and offering constructive feedback.
• • Make sure your posts are clear, concise, and relevant to the topic at hand.
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• These discussion forums are designed to enhance student learning, promote critical thinking, and provide a collaborative space for peer-to-peer exchange. By actively participating, students will be able to deepen their understanding of crisis fundraising and donor relations, while also building valuable skills for real-world applications.