196. Calm Under Pressure: How to Run an Emergency Appeal, with Kusalaraja

196. Calm Under Pressure: How to Run an Emergency Appeal, with Kusalaraja

From Fundraising Bright Spots by Rob Woods, Bright Spot

May 14, 2026 · 18 min · Episode 196

About this episode

Kusalaraja shares insights on successfully running an emergency appeal for Future Dharma amidst a financial crisis.

When Future Dharma faced a £90,000 shortfall and possible closure, fundraising and communications director Kusalaraja had to act fast. And yet he found that what made all the difference was resisting the temptation to rush. Pausing to think carefully proved invaluable. In this encouraging conversation, he shares how he planned and executed a successful emergency appeal, raising £74,000 for his small charity in around six weeks. His insights include: why thorough preparation beats rushing to send an ask; how a free, 40-minute online event generated valuable major gifts; the power of radical transparency with your supporters; and why an emergency appeal is a “one-shot” - and needs to be treated as such.

People in this episode

Host: Rob Woods

Guest: Kusalaraja

Topics covered

  • emergency appeal
  • fundraising
  • charity
  • communication
  • transparency

Keywords

  • emergency appeal
  • fundraising
  • charity
  • major gifts
  • transparency

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Future Dharma

Places: £90,000, £74,000

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