The concept of work from home (WFH) has been around for a decade now, across almost every economic sector including the nonprofit industry. Fundraising for nonprofits is an effort that can be executed through remote techniques such as online giving and mobile giving that includes text-to-give as well.
With the Covid-19 pandemic, the culture of working from home has now become a norm and a practice for safety. The management of nonprofit organizations have been seen to focus largely on sustaining the productivity of their employees during remote working. At GiveCentral, we encourage well-timed online communication so that there is no communication gap and our partners can continue to sustain their relationships with their donors.
Simple Tips to maintain WFH Productivity & Wellness
Remote workers can improve productivity by taking simple measures such as lighting up the room and investing in a supportive chair. Getting on a video conference meeting at least thrice a week is also a great way to strengthen your team at a time when your employees can feel the lack of motivation in the handling of their daily tasks. While some professionals cannot wait to get back to office, there are others that have started to adapt to the situation and pushed themselves to multitask – work from home and work for home. Research shows that remote workers become 35 to 40% more productive throughout the day and 60% are able to save more money.
All in-person events had to be shifted online thus resulting in virtual fundraising for nonprofits. GiveCentral as an online fundraising platform came up with a live streaming platform that enables a direct donate button for the convenience of donors. Technology has by and large provided all kinds of possibilities, even if it demands execution from home. We got in touch with several nonprofit professionals regarding their experience with working from home, here’s what they had to share.
Alnisa Allgood
Founder / Executive Director
Collaboration for Good, Inc.
“Even pre-pandemic, a mixture of remote and at-office work was in play for Collaboration for Good. We miss the social opportunities, but remote work has been a boon in productivity for us, too much so, in many ways. We now suffer from an invasion of access to us. So along with working to improve our stakeholder communications, especially by using slides with voice-over and pre-recorded video.
We’ve focused on staff care, as well. Calendar blocking has been essential for that. We are small, so it was easy to recognize the burnout creeping in. We’ve implemented time blocks – walking, break, and social media/fun. All staff, including interns, must add them to their schedule in 30, 45, or 60-min blocks. At least one of the three should be used daily. As for me, I have a 30-min TikTok break every other day. That, combined with using Calendly to place limits on Zoom meetings, has returned liveliness. It helps me maintain my productivity.”
Suzanne Coffman
Editorial Director, Candid
“I’ve worked from home for a few years now. I do a lot of writing and editing, and I find it easier to concentrate in the quiet of home. Interestingly, now that everyone in my organization is working remotely, I’m finding it easier to connect with my colleagues who work in our offices across the country. Instead of having Zoom meetings with several people in a room (or rooms) and a few of us calling in remotely, we’re all individual boxes on a screen. It’s easier to identify who’s speaking and see people’s reactions.”
Patrick Coleman
CEO, GiveCentral
“The work from home culture has offered new challenges and opportunities. It has helped us realize what can be done well even at a distance. It has also highlighted the need to stay connected, both personally and professionally.
We can do more remotely than we imagined, but it has required an openness to change which is never easy. Communication more than ever is about “and” and not “or”. We need to call, email, text and video chat. We need these connections for our own personal support as well as for continuing to share the mission of the charities we help. It is critical to stay visible with your community to help strengthen the roots of oneness. Internally within my team, we make sure that there are regular updates via phone and video so that we’re all on the same page. Take time to say thank you to your donors and to your teams. Please take time to care for yourself. A short walk in the neighbourhood (with mask on) which is one way I recharge.”
Conclusion
As you work from the comfort of your home, it is very crucial to maintain the line you’ve drawn between your work life and personal life. Life in general is about finding a balance and moving ahead. Good luck!
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