During our many free post-hurricane conference calls, we’ve been hearing from nonprofits in the affected area facing enormous challenges and we truly hope they can find a way to keep going. One group we’ve heard from recently is the New Heights Therapy Center in Folsom, Louisiana, an organization that teaches horseback riding to people who are mentally, emotionally, and physically challenged.
Harry Lowenburg, a development staff member for New Heights, had to cancel the group’s Oct. 9 fundraising event, which raised $40,000 last year. He said they’ve stopped operations, the executive director was evacuated, and family members have scattered.
“We’re just feeding the horses right now,” he said, and then asked, “How can we ask for money when people don’t have any money?”
Terry Axelrod offered a few suggestions. She suggested harnessing the power of the Internet and fundraising online. She also suggested having horseback riders send out notices to their friends and family. And she suggested reaching out to other similar horse therapy centers around the country.
Raising More Money senior instructor Lynda Bowman said after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, many Raising More Money alumni organizations picked up the phone and talked to donors, asking them what advice they could give.
“This is the time to let your hair down with donors and tell them what’s going on,” said Axelrod.
Thanks for putting on these calls. What's going to happen to the nonprofit community in the hurricane area?
Posted by: Walter | September 20, 2005 at 12:43 PM