CHANGE: Coronavirus Impacting Your Nonprofit? Here’s What to Do

The coronavirus pandemic has had a big impact on nonprofits. One major area of disruption has been that of fundraising. The springtime is a major fundraising season for a lot of nonprofits, who hold large events during these months. A recent article from Network For Good offers some tips for how nonprofits can keep their fundraising on track despite not being able to host their usual events.

• Go digital – Hold virtual events that allow your supporters to engage and donate. Consider doing a party, an auction, or a dinner (have your volunteers deliver food to the homes of local “attendees”). Be sure to create content of the events that you throw and share it on social media.
• Use marketing tactics – Big stores get buyers in the door by offering short-term sales; delivery subscription services have grown massively in popularity in the last few years. Employ these tactics in your fundraising by holding a “flash” fundraiser and urging your supporters to donate regularly via a subscription.
• Communicate robustly – With fun in-person events off the table, consider how you can express your gratitude to donors in other ways. You might have board members thank donors directly via phone call or handwritten thank-you notes. Perhaps create customized thank-you videos to share online.

This last point bears some further emphasis. In the event that you have to cancel an event for which you have already acquired sponsors and ticket buyers, communication is more important than ever. Seek to create a positive narrative, emphasizing your organization’s mission and the importance of the funds you have already secured. Rather than offering up-front refunds, reach out to ticket holders to ask them to donate the price of their ticket. Explain the impact that the pandemic is having on your nonprofit. For further details, click here to read the article in full.