Inspiration and Resources for Fundraisers During the Covid-19 Crisis

It’s the third week my kids have been home from school and we’re finally settling into a routine. I refuse to call it the “new normal” because this is anything but normal!

I have worked from home for the last 12 years, but not usually with the kids around. In the last two weeks, I’ve officially relinquished my office to my 10th grader, and the dining room table to my 7th grader. That means I’m working from the basement.

Trust me when I say I’m not complaining. I know how fortunate we are to each have our own separate work spaces, and enough electronic devices to go around.

That said, I’ve had my share of anxious moments and mini-meltdowns as I grappled with the 5 stages of grief brought on by the Coronavirus. And while I have experienced plenty of moments of chaos and anxiety, being isolated for the last three weeks has also provided some downtime and opportunities for reflection.

What is Success for Fundraisers During the Covid-19 Crisis?

In the past, I wrote about Warren Berger’s book, A More Beautiful Question. In the book, Berger challenges readers to ask themselves:

What would you do if you could not fail?

It’s an interesting question, especially during these strange times, when failure is likely on the minds of many fundraisers. But “failure” in the traditional sense might be the wrong concept.

While you may not be able to meet your immediate fundraising goals, it might be time to change the question. So instead, ask yourself:

What does success look like today, in light of the Covid-19 crisis?

• Instead of raising $200K at your gala (which has been canceled), maybe you raise $150K at a virtual event.
• Instead of kicking off your $2 million capital campaign, you pivot and raise $100K for emergency needs. It turns out, the campaign can wait another few months.
• Instead of earning fees for service for your programs in March, April, and May, your board members step up and cover staff salaries for the next three months so that no one on your team loses their job.

It’s not what you planned, but it’s successful by any standards.

Inspiration for Fundraisers During the Covid-19 Crisis

Over the last few weeks, I’ve heard countless stories of selfless people, stepping up in big ways. Neighbors helping neighbors. Strangers helping one another.

I must admit, the current Coronavirus crisis has also begged the question:

How would you act (or what would you do) if you only had a few weeks to live?

Life is short, and uncertain. If there were ever a time to step up, it’s now. And, it doesn’t need to be a grand gesture. It can be the small things that make the biggest difference to those you love.

3 New Inspirational Habits I’ve Developed

Here are a few new habits I’ve adopted, which I hope will stick after the crisis is over.

1. I’m turning up the radio and singing classic rock with my kids three times per day as we cook, breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They think I’m crazy, and we’re having a blast. They laugh when I get the words wrong.
2. I’m going to bed early. Every night. And meditating for 10 minutes before getting out of bed in the morning with my new AirPods (which my son really wanted me to get… so I did).
3. I’m giving away dozens (hundreds?) of hours of free advice and consulting.

Resources for Fundraisers During the Covid-19 Crisis

You can sign up here for free weekly, townhall-style online meetings and additional support to keep you inspired during this difficult time:

• General Fundraising Townhall on Thursdays at 3:00 EST (focused on fundraising in general and major gifts)
• Capital Campaign Townhall on Mondays at 2:00 EST (focused on capital campaign related questions)
• Sign up here for a free 30-minute Pivot Session (we’ll discuss how to pivot from your capital campaign to raising emergency funding)
• U.S. Nonprofits and Suppliers: What You Need to Get an Emergency Forgivable Covid-19 Loan (the Agitator explains what you need to do to get a grant/forgivable loan as a nonprofit to pay staff and rent/mortgage in the coming months)
• Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act CARES Act (the National Council of Nonprofits outlines the tax incentives for charitable giving, including incentives for large and small donors, as well as corporations)

A Special Thanks to Vanessa Chase Lockshin

This post was inspired by Vanessa Chase Lockshin’s recent post, Reflection Questions for Uncertain Times and Daily Life. In it, Vanessa asks two key questions:

1. What will I wish I had done four months from now?
2. What will bring me joy today?

I love both of these questions, because one is forward-looking, and the other forces you to focus on the here-and-now.

I encourage you in the here-and-now to add your own comment below to inspire other fundraisers during this crisis. In what ways have you found comfort and hope in the past few weeks? We could all use a little more of both right now, so please add your comment below.