Summer Rewind| Fundraising Lessons from Humanitarian Aid - Airlink at 15

Send us Fan MailThe world sees the crisis. Few see the flight, the cargo hold, the teams, and coordination that gets aid there.Jena Lynch talks with Brandon Stokes, VP and Head of Development at Airlink, about the operational work that makes every response possible, and why it's so rarely part of the story that donors see.Fifteen years in, Airlink has learned a lot about turning an operational story into one donors actually want to fund. This conversation is about making the unseen work visible, and why that's often the difference between a one-time donation and partner collaboration anchored in lasting donor relationships.What You'll LearnWhy operational costs are the hardest thing to fundraise for, and how to change thatHow Airlink turned its 15th anniversary into a donor engagement momentWhy transparency, not just impact stories, builds long-term donor trustWhat quarterly briefings can do for donor relationshipsHow to talk to donors about the "invisible" work behind the missionMore About Our GuestBrandon Stokes is Vice President and Head of Development at Airlink, where he leads fundraising strategy for an organization that has spent fifteen years connecting humanitarian aid with the aviation industry. He works closely with donors and NGO partners to make the case for funding the parts of a response that rarely make headlines, from logistics to staff and infrastructure, and to show why that funding is just as critical as the aid itself.Resources and LinksLearn more about Airlink, and if you have a story to share or want to know more about the life-saving work they are doing, head to their blog for lessons in response preparedness. Chapters00:00:Introduction01:28: How Airlink Got Started: From Haiti to Global Logistics03:59:Evolving Response: Hurricanes, COVID-19, and Long-Term Recovery05:11:Why Operational Fundraising Gets Overlooked07:58:Turning a 15th Anniversary into a Donor Engagement Tool10:33:The Growing Urgency Behind Humanitarian Aid12:41:Building Trust with 250+ NGO Partners15:03:Transparency in Action: Quarterly Donor Briefings18:39:Practical Fundraising Advice for Operational Costs22:01:How to Support Airlink's Mission23:55:ClosingAbout DonorboxDonorbox is a trusted online and on-location fundraising platform that helps nonprofits raise more. With easy-to-use donation forms, powerful donor management tools, and features designed to grow recurring giving, we have helped 100,000-plus organizations process over $4 billion in donations worldwide.donorbox.org Enjoying the show? Subscribe for more practical fundraising strategies, leadership insights, and tools to help your nonprofit grow sustainably.The information provided in this series is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Please consult with a professional advisor for specific guidance.Support the show