Addressing Fundraising Challenges of a Non-Profit Organization Caused by Financial Uncertainty Using an Appreciative Inquiry Approach

Abstract

The increasing demands on non-profit organizations to support the growing needs of communities during economic hardships require these organizations to look for alternative and creative fundraising options. This study used a customized approach of the Appreciative Inquiry organizational analysis model developed by Thatchenkery (2005) to examine a non-profit organization’s fundraising enablers and to identify how the organization could sustain its fundraising levels during the economic challenges of 2009. This process-consulting model was used to focus on the organization’s strengths to allow the organization to build on them. A three-member doctorate student research team not affiliated with the organization used a multiple phased process to collect and analyze data. The research was used to ultimately identify possibilities for increasing fundraising levels to meet the growing needs of the Pikes Peak Region community in Colorado, United States. It is a research case study.