The current IDF operation, Operation Iron Sword, to defeat the terrorist organization Hamas has turned out to be the longest war Israel has ever fought, apart from the 1948 War of Independence. Fortunately, the hard work of Israeli soldiers, along with the support of Israeli civilians and supporters around the world, paid off.
Hamas has been largely destroyed in Gaza, but some resistance remains, particularly in Rafah. The IDF has released many soldiers who had been on reserve duty since October, and although the war will not end until the 134 hostages held by the terror group in Gaza return, Israelis believe that Hamas is an empty shell. You can rest assured that it’s not too much. Of my former self.
Unfortunately, the shells are still deadly, and while life is slowly returning to normal, the war itself is not over yet.
The number of IDF soldiers continues to decline, and as Hezbollah continues its attacks on Israeli towns and cities, the possibility (some would say probability) of a major escalation of the war in the north remains. Remaining.
In other words, the IDF’s work is far from over, and the need for support and equipment is as great as ever. Meanwhile, Israeli civilians on the country’s front lines continue to face evacuations from their homes, rehabilitate wounds sustained on October 7, mourn the deaths of loved ones, and attend to family members separated on reserve duty. It is being said.
Indeed, Israel’s supporters, who quickly established and funded dozens of new nonprofits and campaigns in the early days of the war, now need to redouble their efforts. Soldiers aren’t the only ones who experience combat fatigue. The same goes for supporters of organizations that support Israeli soldiers and civilians, whose donations are likely to decline even though the need is greater than ever, in fact, even greater.
Early in the war, despite high supply needs, the Israel Defense Forces and rapid response forces were able to utilize stockpiled supplies and equipment. The current situation is even worse. Many of these stored items are being used and the supply chain remains unstable. Many airlines are still not operating flights to Israel, attacks by Yemen’s Houthis on international shipping companies have delayed or completely halted maritime transport from the Far East, and supplies to the military have been disrupted. in the process of. It becomes a struggle.
Although the government is, or should be, ultimately responsible for supplying the soldiers and providing all the necessities for displaced and injured civilians, the war has taken a heavy toll on Israel’s economy. The government’s coffers are taking a big hit as it plans to raise taxes that are likely to be highly unpopular with voters. So nonprofits that started their work when the war started need to maintain their momentum.
This is difficult because the situation feels less urgent to many outside of Israel, and even some Israelis feel that way. However, threats from enemies both to the south and north remain. And Israel cannot afford to allow either Hamas or Hezbollah to reinvigorate their terrorist activities. The IDF must remain engaged until these adversaries no longer pose a threat. Additionally, nonprofit organizations supporting both the military and affected civilians should engage with their supporters and communicate their needs and impact.
Organizations need to reach out to funders where they are
This approach has worked well for active nonprofits, including us. A successful engagement strategy includes presenting the facts to donors on social media, traditional media, podcasts, direct mail, newsletters, and more. Stories that nonprofits should focus on include personal stories of soldiers and victims of the October 7 attacks, families whose homes were destroyed by Hamas and Hezbollah rockets, and profiles of families of those defending the country. etc. are included.
Donors and supporters see these articles, become more informed, and realize that Israel is still at war and their support is important.
The same goes for fundraising activities. Organizations should strive to reach donors where they are by building a presence across the various channels they utilize, including crowdfunding platforms. Grants; Facilitate direct purchase of supplies by donors. Partnerships with other his NGOs and equipment providers are also another means of obtaining resources and meeting needs. Along the way, the organization emphasizes financial transparency: how the funds raised are used, who receives them, and what percentage of donations are used to cover the organization’s costs. need to do it.
Because the future is volatile and uncertain, nonprofits must be agile and ready to change their approach depending on the situation. This requires organizations to stay in close touch with the people they serve. It is important to stay in touch with aid recipients and help them understand and anticipate their changing needs, especially as wars move from an emergency phase to a long-term challenge.
For example, in our Israel operations, we are in constant communication with our partners in the various branches of the Israel Defense Forces to keep up-to-date with the equipment our soldiers need, or more importantly, are likely to need next. I’m getting information. Staying in close contact with the people receiving support and donations also allows organizations to bring the most impactful and meaningful stories back to donors, creating a cycle of trust and communication that leads to continued support. can be produced.
Despite the long war, the majority of Israelis still support the main goals of the war: the elimination of Hamas, the return of hostages, and the return of residents of the northern and southern border areas to their homes.
At the same time, soldiers, their families, and civilians are bearing a heavy burden and depend on the continued support and dedication of nonprofit organizations.
The author is the founder of Operation Israel, a nonprofit organization founded in the days after the outbreak of war that has sent $7.9 million worth of vital supplies to the front lines.
