Rashida Petersen

So you start this fund with 100,000, you have some infrastructure, some volunteers and a process, but not anywhere near what is needed to absorb 1 million dollars much less 30 million. Donations keep coming because rightfully most people want to fund locally closer to the issues

I don’t think any organization would have the capacity to make that jump in less than 2 months. It is also unrealistic to expect that they would. They probably can’t even process all of the gifts what most fundraisers would call properly.

Folks need to understand that when you are funding local initiatives you have to trust. It will take time to hire or even contract, find a database, implement a project management plan and possibly support other organizations working on this issue of cash bail.

We need to allow these organizations to grow into their new role and trust but verify. For the part of the organization- in democratizing your donor base that means you have the responsibility to educate your donors and make sure you are transparent.

So that means- setting up webinar/conference call engaging donors- letting them know where you are, setting up a plan to ramp up and communicating that on your website. It means making sure your house is in order. Getting experts to guide you. Set up a plan and publish it.