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Last January, your AFPWNC Board came together for a retreat to plan for the year ahead. While we had no idea what 2024 would bring (and I’m sure Helene wasn’t on our BINGO cards), we discussed why we exist as an organization and how we would lean into our mission with our members. As I reflect on how far we’ve come this year, and how far we still want to go, these three things continue to ring true: 1. We are here for each other. Through our afternoon socials and mentoring program, we are building a community of fundraisers who can support each [...]

As our Western North Carolina community continues to recover and rebuild from the devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene, many nonprofit organizations in our region are grappling with complex challenges around funding. Organizations that are directly involved in crisis and disaster response—providing essential services like food, shelter, housing repairs, counseling, medical care, and resource distribution—are under tremendous pressure to secure the resources needed to support both immediate needs and long-term recovery efforts. These groups are not only responding to urgent demands but also working to expand their capacity to serve a growing number of people in need. At the same time, nonprofits [...]

The disaster caused by Hurricane Helene can make it challenging to fundraise for your institution. At this time, you are likely figuring out how to reconcile your desire to help with the need to fund your organization and its mission. Your mission is still valid and important to the community, but depending on where you sit in the larger relief effort, it may take a back seat temporarily to other priorities. If you have paused fundraising and prioritized your supporters' well-being, you’ve taken an important step in building trust and empathy with your donors, and you are laying a foundation for [...]