The pandemic has taken the world by storm, Covid-19 has truly changed the whole business landscape of different industries. Fundraising for nonprofits has taken a new turn; nonprofit organizations are now resorting to online means and remote giving while nonprofit communication has a revised content; it is now all about empathy.
To understand the situation better, you can check out our round up post with comments from big nonprofit influencers. It is true that nonprofits survive largely on funds that come from donors, however, it is important to remember that donors are humans too and we are all going through the same event and experiences; impacts of a global crisis.
In this article, GiveCentral has listed down a few steps that your nonprofit can adopt to help your nonprofit navigate the new normal.
Check on your team
First and foremost, your team is important. At this point in time, your employees need your attention, support and encouragement. Laying off of employees may not be the ideal solution in all difficult circumstances, rather, working together to pave the way for a better strategy and execution is always an option.
Since most offices are working from home currently, hold regular meetings within the team. You might want to limit the number of meetings to two per week so that your employees will feel connected enough, but not micromanaged. You can have all the important discussions in these two in-depth meetings every week, ask for suggestions, reviews and updates from each team member. Great teamwork makes the dream work.
Keep a tab on your partners
When we say partners, it could imply to charities, causes or even churches that you may be working with. This also includes your funders. Make sure that you communicate with these sections of your stakeholders; ask about their well being and how they have been putting up with the situation.
These bodies might be making little or no progress, you can offer to help them with new feasible ideas and solutions. Be it fundraising for nonprofits or otherwise, ask them if they have new requirements and let them know that you are there for them, as a partner and well wisher.
Focus on your current bonds
As you look forward to creating new relationships and widening your horizons, it is crucial that you keep strengthening the old ones; that is how you grow. If need be, give a call to your major donors and give them thoughtful messages,check on them and be willing to help.
For your current donors, you can make use of emails and newsletters through which you can send messages of love and comfort, while you ask for donations. Do not go straight into asking for money, acknowledge the looming problem and tell them that you care. You can then go on and talk about how much your nonprofit appreciates them and their donations, this will also serve as a reminder for donation. Be subtle, be kind.
Reassert your value
At the end of the day, you are a nonprofit and your motive is to help the needy. The spread of coronavirus has left numerous people homeless, helpless, hungry and in need of help. You need to communicate to your audience that your role as a nonprofit has never been bigger; this is the true calling of a nonprofit organization.
Therefore, your supporters will have to help you to help others in need of aid. Remind your donors of their importance in this situation and process, tell them of their massive role in the current health and economic crisis. The world becomes a better place when humans realize how greatly they can contribute to the greater good.
In addition to all of the above tips, your nonprofit must be careful while looking at new prospects. Communicate your goals and missions to potential partners and show them where you wish to take them and how; be clear about the destination that you want to drive them too. Fundraising for nonprofits can be tricky at times, some strategies work while some just do not.
Therefore, considering the kind of environment we have right now, be practical with what you present and pitch. Truth be told, it is going to be quite some time before we get back to normal, or perhaps this is going to be our new normal for a very long time. So the quicker your nonprofit gets used to functioning in alignment with the new normal, the better. Let’s continue to hope for the best.
Covid-19 influencers nonprofit communications nonprofit fundraising tips
Last modified: July 28, 2020
