Otef Israel — Supporting Israeli soldiers so they can protect our home
OVERVIEW
In the wake of the devastating massacre on October 7th, our courageous soldiers dropped everything, threw on their uniforms, and headed to the frontline to protect our land and our people. They turned to us for extra help in making sure they were fully equipped and ready for anything. We mobilized in order to collect donations and help provide our soldiers with the essential equipment per their requests.
ROLE
Fundraiser Organizer
UX Designer
Website Creator
TIMELINE
October 2023 - January 2024
Details
CHALLENGES
Communicating updates and progress from the fundraiser posed a challenge, as it initially spread through personal social media channels. With many donors and followers not on social media, I needed a centralized platform. Creating a clear, concise website was key to sharing the donation link and showcasing progress without overwhelming visitors with excessive information.
SOLUTIONS
To address these challenges, I began by outlining the essential information and mission of the fundraiser. This guided the creation of a focused website, emphasizing concrete numbers on funds raised and soldiers assisted. I prioritized clarity in our mission statement and conveyed our story compellingly. Additionally, to illustrate the impact of donations, I included photos and videos shared by soldiers who were receiving our donations.
TOOLS USED
For the creation of the Otef Israel website, I utilized Figma for design and Squarespace for implementation.
Design
Results & Impact
With the help of our beautiful Jewish communities both in Israel and America, we were able to raise over $50,000. We mobilized in order to fulfill our soldiers urgent requests and 100% of the proceeds went directly to our brothers and sisters on the frontlines.
We were able to help 9,700 soldiers as we worked tirelessly to keep up with the never ending list of requests from our soldiers on the frontlines. Our initiative was based on direct requests from the soldiers themselves in order to provide exactly what was needed, when they needed it.
👉🏼 Hear more from the soldiers themselves here
Reflections & Lessons Learned
Maintaining a centralized platform for fundraiser progress and mission proved pivotal in sustaining donations. I realized donors were more likely to contribute when they could witness the direct impact of their support and understand the driving force behind the fundraising campaign.
Using my personal social media, I provided daily and weekly updates on purchased supplies and their distribution across the country. In hindsight, incorporating an updates or blog section on the website would have enhanced donor engagement. Balancing my roles as fundraiser founder and organizer demanded meticulous time management, delaying this feature's addition to the website. Our focus remained on providing rapid assistance to as many soldiers as possible.
In the future, I would be sure to include a dedicated page for detailed written updates, facilitating transparent communication and fostering continued support.
This project stands as one of the most rewarding experiences in my career. Witnessing the tangible impact of our efforts was immensely gratifying. I eagerly anticipate future opportunities to contribute to meaningful social impact causes and continue making a difference in people's lives.
