How philanthropy can respond to crisis · Event recap
Crisis response is perhaps one of the most visible forms of philanthropy. In a time when nonprofits are some of the first responders to crises, the question of how philanthropists and fundraisers should approach recovery efforts is crucial.
At a recent panel co-hosted by Aperio Philanthropy and the George H. Heyman, Jr. Program for Philanthropy and Fundraising, expert panelists gathered to discuss the role of philanthropy in responding to crisis and make recommendations for nonprofits seeking to deepen partnerships with philanthropists in this area.
Moderator:
Chloe Demrovsky (she/her), President & CEO, Disaster Recovery Institute International
Panelists:
Amanda Lepof (she/her), Executive Director of Fundraising Programs and operations, American Red Cross
Maria Lopez-Nuñez (she/her), Deputy Director of Organizing and Advocacy, Ironbound Community Corporation
Jeffrey Correa (he/him), Senior Director of Major Giving, International Rescue Committee
The panel of nonprofit leaders discussed what the term ‘crisis response’ means in the context of philanthropy, followed by the big question: How should philanthropy approach recovery efforts in response to environmental and humanitarian crises?
Panelists strategized how NGOs can best center community needs to ensure that recovery efforts remain relevant to donor communities once the disaster leaves the news cycle. They also shared lessons for nonprofits scaling up to meet urgent needs, emphasizing that emergencies do not eliminate the need for planning and strategy; they heighten it.
We explored questions including the following:
What does crisis response mean to you?
When we talk about crisis response, we often focus on what happens after the disaster. Tell us about what philanthropists can do when the sky is blue. What is the value of pre-investment—before we even know if or where a crisis will strike?
How do you make the case for philanthropic investment in a crisis that is ongoing: the climate crisis? What do you wish philanthropists knew about the role they could play?
What does democratic organizing looks like in responding to the climate crisis?
For many, the war in Ukraine is top of mind as we consider crisis response. Can you share learnings in community-centered response?
How can organizations best support their staff and volunteers working on crisis response?
Many organizations worry about ‘donor fatigue’. Is it real? And if so, how do you mitigate it?
What is philanthropy’s role in crisis response?
The panelists kick-started the conversation by discussing the role of philanthropy before, during, and after crisis.
The panelists agreed that pre-crisis preparation is crucial to successful crisis response. Amanda Lepof of the Red Cross pointed to the importance of immediate, impartial crisis response. Nonpolitical involvement is integral to her work at the Red Cross, she said. Impartiality is at the core of empowering individuals and communities to become self-reliant and address inequalities.
Jeffrey Correa of International Rescue Committee (IRC) identified crises as more than a moment in time—we have the opportunity to prepare for crises in advance. “Preparedness is key,” Correa said, and that includes “doing the early work of developing trust-based relationships with donors.”
The IRC compiles an annual list of the 20 humanitarian crises expected to deteriorate the most over the next year. For the past decade, this report has helped the IRC determine where to focus emergency services, communicate the need to donors, and make the most significant impact.
Maria Lopez-Nuñez discussed the value of being ‘prepared in place’ via anchor institutions, enabling communities to respond to crisis in a culturally-competent manner.
Ironbound Community Corporation, where Lopez-Nuñez is Deputy Director of Organizing and Advocacy, is guided by a set of principles for democratic organizing called the Jemez Principles. Lopez-Nuñez highlighted the tenet ‘Work together in solidarity and mutuality’ to demonstrate the importance of developing a crisis response embedded within cultural systems:
“Groups working on similar issues with compatible visions should consciously act in solidarity, mutuality, and support each other’s work. …Communications, strategies, and resource sharing is critical to help us see our connections and build on these.”
— Jemez Principle #4: Work Together In Solidarity and Mutuality
She also said there is an urgent need for groups working on similar issues with compatible visions to consciously act in solidarity and mutuality to support each other’s work, both in crisis response and beyond.
Community-centered response: Before, during, and after a crisis
Trust-based philanthropy and understanding the power of people collectively working together are integral to crisis response. In an age of escalating crises, building strong relationships grounded in mutual trust and care is highly impactful. The panelists concluded that organizational connections and long-term connections are key to responding to escalating crises, both locally and internationally.
There is often an emotional connection to disaster response that must be honored with authentic and transparent conversations, added Lopez-Nuñez.
The panelists highlighted opportunities for transparency within episodic fundraising.
Trust-based philanthropy is key to forward-thinking philanthropic preparedness, said Lepof Taking care of team members and communities go hand in hand, so relationship development and management within and outside the organization should be a focus long before a crisis occurs.
Lepof emphasized the importance of transparency when fundraising before disasters, during ‘blue skies’, and when disaster strikes. Donors appreciate candor, she said, and transparency is one of the most effective strategies in disaster fundraising.
“Wherever you call home, you should expand your heart there,” said Lopez-Nuñez. Philanthropy is only as strong as the networks of individuals creating community before, during, and after a disaster.
—
Aperio will continue our three-part virtual series, hosted in partnership with the NYU SPS Heyman Center, on April 20th to discuss how philanthropy can advance housing equity. Sign up here.
Hannah Fleischman
Prior to joining the Aperio team as Coordinator, Client Services, Hannah worked in institutional advancement and major giving at Smith College. There they witnessed the impact of community-centric fundraising philanthropy on students’ lives.