Beginning earlier this year, the outbreak of the novel coronavirus or COVID-19 has led to closures and disruptions across the country. While necessary to protect people who are vulnerable to the virus, these changes have caused a variety of impacts as people have struggled to adjust to new ways of doing business, learning, and being a part of our communities. For many people, these changes represent a severe economic setback, with businesses forced to close their doors and with a record number of people needing to apply for unemployment benefits as a result of job loss. 

Nonprofits work to help the most vulnerable populations, and as COVID-19 interrupts crucial services, many of those who rely on nonprofits have reason to worry. As the Center For Nonprofits reports, likely consequences of the virus include absences by staff and volunteers, cancelled or postponed events, financial strains, and both disruption of and increased demand for services and supplies, (Czipo). So, how can these organizations work to uphold their mission objectives and ensure that people’s needs are being met in spite of these disruptions? 

Communication within the organization and with partners is one crucial way to manage the impact. Sandi McKinley of the Nonprofit Finance Fund recommends keeping the nonprofit’s board informed of all plans and changes with regard to finance, so the board can communicate with the lenders and help bring in additional resources (McKinley). Leaving a nonprofit scrambling and lurching through abrupt changes without informing everyone involved reflects badly on the organization and shakes the confidence both those who supply the group and those who rely on the group. 

Another way to manage the impact is to protect the health of employees. Some staff must work from home through videoconferencing apps and other media. For staff that can’t work from home, it’s important that guidelines such as handwashing, sanitizing surfaces, and maintaining social distance be followed in order to prevent staff illnesses.

 A third way to ensure that nonprofits work to fulfill their objectives is to promote an atmosphere of kindness and tolerance, rather than falling into the trap of playing the “blame game”. In nonprofits, the goal is to help people. Racism and prejudice have no place in fulfilling that goal, and they will not help us to get through this pandemic any faster. As the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits stated: “respecting civil liberties in times of crisis is always more effective than turning to fear mongering and shame” (COVID-19: What nonprofits need to know). Regardless of where in the world this virus first appeared, it is now a problem we all must face together.

Czipo, Linda. ‘Coronavirus, Non-Profits, and General Health’. Center On Nonprofits. 6 March 2020. https://www.njnonprofits.org/blog/2020/03/06/coronavirus-non-profits-and-general-health/

McKinley, Sandi . ‘What Nonprofits Should Do Right Now’. Nonprofit Finance Fund. 13 March 2020. https://nff.org/blog/covid-19-what-nonprofits-should-do-right-now

‘COVID-19: What nonprofits need to know’. Minnesota Council of Nonprofits. 5 March 2020. https://www.minnesotanonprofits.org/about-mcn/news-detail/2020/03/05/preparing-for-covid-19-what-nonprofits-need-to-know

Last updated on March 9th, 2021 at 12:45 am