- Fundraising challenges
As the pandemic continues disrupting operations due to the emergence of new variants, the economic downturn is expected to be a key challenge to fundraising operations. However, the work of nonprofits will be needed more than ever, meaning fundraisings will become more prevalent. Since nonprofits rely more on donors’ income, charitable organizations and government funding for their efforts, the pandemic will affect the funds contributed by certain individuals due to slow down in the economy and adverse effects of the pandemic.
A survey by the Nonprofit Leadership Council found out that the key challenge to fundraising in the COVID-19 era is social distancing measures. Social distancing has affected person-to-person interaction and shifted donations to virtual spaces. Nonprofits have to rely on websites, social media and email marketing to get donations. This limits access and reduces the funds collected.
- Volunteer recruitment
Volunteers are a lifeline of any nonprofit. However, with the challenges that are emerging due to the pandemic, recruitment and retention have become key problems. Although many organizations have reopened, the organizations that offer face-to-face services face significant problems getting new volunteers because some may not feel safe. Luckily, there are many ways that a person can volunteer for a given cause. Some of these ways include monetary or material donations, partnerships, referrals or online endorsements, all of which are useful to nonprofits. As a nonprofit, you should consider informing your volunteers about these ways.
- Internal communications
With social distancing measures still in force in some areas due to the emergence of new COVID variants, people are still working from home. This presents a unique challenge in managing staff and sharing time-sensitive information among volunteers and employees. With no regular meetings, and informal chats, which are crucial for employee performance, internal communications can be jeopardized, and the mission of a nonprofit can be threatened. While there are many approaches that can be used to communicate remotely, some are not yet effective enough to allow efficiency in internal communications. As we enter a new era of technology in the workplace, nonprofits will be required to develop new guidelines and policies on the use of technology in internal communications.
- Community engagement
The survival of any nonprofit depends on community engagement. This aspect is crucial in building relationships with the community members and growing support for a particular cause. With the suspension of in-person meetings and interactions, community events have been hit hard with the lack of competitions and sporting events that were key to engagement with the members of the community. In 2022, nonprofits will need new ways to stay connected with their audiences. This may mean increased use of email, social media marketing and other digital platforms. These methods will allow nonprofits to share updates with the public concerning various events and rally the donors, volunteers and other people to support their cause and initiatives.
