--- title: 3 Things Every Donor Wants to Know in a Crisis description: Lon Swartzentruber describes the three things every donor wants to know in a crisis. These elements include understanding the current situation, how the organization is responding to it, and letting them know what help looks like. This post is a special edition to A Cause Greater. image: https://www.designgroupinternational.com/hubfs/A%20Cause%20Greater_3%20Things%20Every%20Donor%20Wants%20to%20Know%20in%20a%20Crisis.jpg --- ![www.designgroupinternational.comhs-fshubfs_DGI Logo (New)DGI Logo - Landscape-1](https://www.designgroupinternational.com/hs-fs/hubfs/social-suggested-images/www.designgroupinternational.comhs-fshubfs_DGI%20Logo%20(New)DGI%20Logo%20-%20Landscape-1.png?width=200&height=93&name=www.designgroupinternational.comhs-fshubfs_DGI%20Logo%20(New)DGI%20Logo%20-%20Landscape-1.png) ![www.designgroupinternational.comhs-fshubfs_DGI Logo (New)DGI Logo - Landscape-1](https://www.designgroupinternational.com/hs-fs/hubfs/social-suggested-images/www.designgroupinternational.comhs-fshubfs_DGI%20Logo%20(New)DGI%20Logo%20-%20Landscape-1.png?width=200&height=93&name=www.designgroupinternational.comhs-fshubfs_DGI%20Logo%20(New)DGI%20Logo%20-%20Landscape-1.png) ![www.designgroupinternational.comhs-fshubfs_DGI Logo (New)DGI Logo - Landscape-1](https://www.designgroupinternational.com/hs-fs/hubfs/social-suggested-images/www.designgroupinternational.comhs-fshubfs_DGI%20Logo%20(New)DGI%20Logo%20-%20Landscape-1.png?width=200&height=93&name=www.designgroupinternational.comhs-fshubfs_DGI%20Logo%20(New)DGI%20Logo%20-%20Landscape-1.png) - [ABOUT US ](https://www.designgroupinternational.com/lon-l-swartzentruber-blog/javascript;) - What is Process Consulting? - [MEET US ](https://www.designgroupinternational.com/lon-l-swartzentruber-blog/javascript;) - Areas of Specialty - Meet Our Process Consultants - Meet our Partners and Senior Consultants - Meet our Consultants - [Maestro-level leaders](https://www.maestrosuiteadvisors.com/) - [Society for Process Consulting](https://www.maestrosuiteadvisors.com/) - [Culture Change Leadership](https://www.acausegreater.org/) - [BE A CONSULTANT ](https://www.designgroupinternational.com/lon-l-swartzentruber-blog/javascript;) - Explore Process Consulting - Community of Practice - Shared Platform - [BE CREDENTIALED](https://linktr.ee/MaestroSuiteAdvisors) - [RESOURCES ](https://www.designgroupinternational.com/lon-l-swartzentruber-blog/javascript;) - Blog Library - Books - Podcasts - Cohorts - Case Studies - [ABOUT US ](https://www.designgroupinternational.com/lon-l-swartzentruber-blog/javascript;) - What is Process Consulting? - [MEET US ](https://www.designgroupinternational.com/lon-l-swartzentruber-blog/javascript;) - Areas of Specialty - Meet Our Process Consultants - Meet our Partners and Senior Consultants - Meet our Consultants - [Maestro-level leaders](https://www.maestrosuiteadvisors.com/) - [Society for Process Consulting](https://www.maestrosuiteadvisors.com/) - [Culture Change Leadership](https://www.acausegreater.org/) - [BE A CONSULTANT ](https://www.designgroupinternational.com/lon-l-swartzentruber-blog/javascript;) - Explore Process Consulting - Community of Practice - Shared Platform - [BE CREDENTIALED](https://linktr.ee/MaestroSuiteAdvisors) - [RESOURCES ](https://www.designgroupinternational.com/lon-l-swartzentruber-blog/javascript;) - Blog Library - Books - Podcasts - Cohorts - Case Studies Get Started # 3 Things Every Donor Wants to Know in a Crisis ![Lon L. Swartzentruber](https://www.designgroupinternational.com/hubfs/Consultant%20Headshots%20(NEW)/Lon%20L.%20Swartzentruber%20Headshot%20(300x300).png) by [Lon L. Swartzentruber](https://www.designgroupinternational.com/lon-l-swartzentruber-blog/author/lon-swartzentruber) March 17, 2020 Over the past several weeks we have all had to respond to the novel Coronavirus in some way. It has impacted each of us, our organizations, and our constituencies in a multitude of ways.  [![Blue Hospital Graphics National Nurses Day Social Media (1)-1](https://www.designgroupinternational.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blue%20Hospital%20Graphics%20National%20Nurses%20Day%20Social%20Media%20(1)-1.png?width=294&name=Blue%20Hospital%20Graphics%20National%20Nurses%20Day%20Social%20Media%20(1)-1.png)](https://www.designgroupinternational.com/hubfs/Three%20Things%20Every%20Donors%20Want%20to%20Know%20in%20a%20Crisis.mp4) In working with a client who is currently in the midst of a capital campaign, the virus crisis posed a set of unique challenges. We had to think back to other times of crisis or significant organizational challenge to consider how to potentially respond and communicate with donors. As we worked, we found these **3 things every donor wants to know in a crisis **to be helpful. First, **keep donors updated on the situation you are facing.** Donors care about you and your organization. They want to know how the current situation is impacting you and what specific challenges you are facing. One of the first mistakes we can make in a crisis is to believe that we are in it alone. You are not in this by yourself, so reaching out to donors for help is a great first step. Second, **share with donors how you are responding to the crisis.** This provides donors the opportunity to learn more about what is happening on the ground. You'll have a chance to share with them what you're doing to keep clients safe, what measures you are taking to deal with what might happen next, and how the plans you are making will advance your mission. While no one can fully know what the future will hold, transparent and open communication builds trust and confidence. Third,** let donors know what help looks like.** We can get very comfortable asking donors for money. Donors know we need financial support and they are used to helping in that way, which is awesome. But in times of crisis we also need advice, a calming presence, and someone to talk to. I’ve never met anyone who was offended by an authentic request for advice. Donors are your friends and allies. They care about the mission of your organization, they care about the clients you serve, and they also care about you. Let’s not forget that even in a time of crisis. My mother in law often says, "This too shall pass," and your donors will still be around when the current crisis is over.  If you would like to talk about your donor communication plans during the coronavirus crisis, please feel free to call 616.516.9870 or e-mail me at [lons@designgroupintl.com](mailto:lons@designgroupintl.com). I’m here to do everything I can to help you fulfill the mission of your organization. ![LonSwartzentruber_ web close tall](https://www.designgroupinternational.com/hs-fs/hubfs/LonSwartzentruber_%20web%20close%20tall.jpeg?width=113&name=LonSwartzentruber_%20web%20close%20tall.jpeg)   ###### Tags: [nonprofit leadership, ](https://www.designgroupinternational.com/lon-l-swartzentruber-blog/topic/nonprofit-leadership) [organizational purpose, ](https://www.designgroupinternational.com/lon-l-swartzentruber-blog/topic/organizational-purpose) [Non-Profit Leadership, ](https://www.designgroupinternational.com/lon-l-swartzentruber-blog/topic/non-profit-leadership) [capital campaigns, ](https://www.designgroupinternational.com/lon-l-swartzentruber-blog/topic/capital-campaigns) [leadership and communication, ](https://www.designgroupinternational.com/lon-l-swartzentruber-blog/topic/leadership-and-communication) [capital campaign communications, ](https://www.designgroupinternational.com/lon-l-swartzentruber-blog/topic/capital-campaign-communications) [leadership communication, ](https://www.designgroupinternational.com/lon-l-swartzentruber-blog/topic/leadership-communication) [relationship building, ](https://www.designgroupinternational.com/lon-l-swartzentruber-blog/topic/relationship-building) [lon swartzentruber, ](https://www.designgroupinternational.com/lon-l-swartzentruber-blog/topic/lon-swartzentruber) [advancement, ](https://www.designgroupinternational.com/lon-l-swartzentruber-blog/topic/advancement) [nonprofits, ](https://www.designgroupinternational.com/lon-l-swartzentruber-blog/topic/nonprofits) [crisis communication, ](https://www.designgroupinternational.com/lon-l-swartzentruber-blog/topic/crisis-communication) [crisis, ](https://www.designgroupinternational.com/lon-l-swartzentruber-blog/topic/crisis) [Coronavirus, ](https://www.designgroupinternational.com/lon-l-swartzentruber-blog/topic/coronavirus) [COVID-19, ](https://www.designgroupinternational.com/lon-l-swartzentruber-blog/topic/covid-19) [A Cause Greater Blog](https://www.designgroupinternational.com/lon-l-swartzentruber-blog/topic/a-cause-greater-blog) ![Lon L. Swartzentruber](https://www.designgroupinternational.com/hubfs/Consultant%20Headshots%20(NEW)/Lon%20L.%20Swartzentruber%20Headshot%20(300x300).png) Post by [Lon L. Swartzentruber](https://www.designgroupinternational.com/lon-l-swartzentruber-blog/author/lon-swartzentruber) March 17, 2020 I walk alongside leaders, listening to understand their challenges, and helping them lead healthy organizations that flourish. 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