Hunger Matters: A Short-Term Fundraising Plan

Action Against Hunger USA (AAH) is an international relief organization that delivers emergency aid and sustainable development services to people suffering from hunger and malnutrition as a result of natural disaster, war, or other political complexities. AAH intervenes in these crises with programs that integrate four areas: nutrition, water and sanitation, health, and food security. Facing a sharp decrease in funding, AAH asked the Capstone team to develop a short-term fundraising plan. The team conducted extensive internal interviews with AAH management, Board, and staff to understand the agency’s culture, critical operations, and pressing needs in order to develop effective solutions. As part of this initiative, team members reviewed and revised the agency’s donor database to assist AAH in targeting specific donors, increasing first-time donations, and maintaining long-term relationships. The team’s research included information on AAH competitors and fundraising theories, trends, and effective fundraising techniques. The Capstone team also provided possible return on investment (ROI) analyses based on the recommendations provided to the client.