Episode 53: How Nonprofits Successfully Navigated the Pandemic, with Steven Shattuck

How can nonprofits fundraise during a crisis without sounding opportunistic or worse, tone-deaf? Whether it’s disease, war or natural disaster, there always seems to be an emergency in the headlines.

One thing is clear: in times of crisis, people become more empathetic and generous—and not just to causes directly related to the emergency. Data from the pandemic now shows that people gave to a wide diversity of nonprofit organizations.

So why were some nonprofits able to expand while others felt sidelined and had to consolidate? A more nuanced look at the data delivered across the board revealed that those that did the best during the pandemic did two things: They asked for donations often, and they contextualized their appeals.

Steven Shattuck, the Chief Engagement Officer at Bloomerang, looks at the data they and others collected and shares the takeaways that nonprofits can apply to their development strategy.

** Episode Links and Shownotes: https://nphf.show/ep53 **

What we discussed:
• Why directly addressing a crisis can help you raise money
• How to avoid the trap of a scarcity mindset
• What is necessary for a humanistic appeal to supporters
• Blending old and new technologies to build strong connections