How Do Local Charities Recover from COVID-19

TFEC and Helix Strategies, LLC., partner in convening the nonprofit community to hold three capacity-building sessions.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (April 8, 2021) – Is it possible to have a conversation these days that does not revolve around COVID-19? It touched every aspect of our lives. Layoffs, homeschooling, and isolation affected us all, but now nonprofit organizations providing essential services were also on the chopping block. The Foundation for Enhancing Communities (TFEC) and Helix Strategies, LLC., investigated the challenges facing nonprofit organizations following the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure that TFEC was doing its part as the area‘s community foundation to invest in these necessary local nonprofit organizations future.

This research was not a national survey of every organization impacted by the pandemic; it would not have helped the neighborhood charity if we reported what a food bank in Missouri needed to keep their lights on. TFEC and Helix Strategies, LLC., set out with the intent to gain insight into local organizations that we all know and love.

Here is what the survey uncovered:

The top three short-term concerns for nonprofits are:

Financial Stability/Revenue (this was referenced by respondents 12x more than any other category)
Operations and how to adjust programming/staff changes
Staff, Board, and Volunteer turnover, morale, and recruitment

30% of respondents noticed a dip in donations but are adjusting

The top three long-term concerns for nonprofits are:

Financial Stability/Fundraising (this was referenced by respondents 12x more than any other category)
Operations and adjusting priorities to restructure with fewer resources
Disruption of Growth/Expansion

26% of respondents said they were strained and continuing to make budget cuts

When asked how confident these organizations were that their current donor relationships or fundraising strategies would cover the community’s needs for the next year, 35.9% said not very, not at all, or unsure. Respondents attribute this answer to the lack of ability to implement a specific fundraising strategy, host an event, or nurture critical relationships.

It was not enough to collect the data and present findings.

TFEC will be holding three informational sessions to convene the nonprofit community, discuss the survey findings and provide nonprofits with actionable insights to move forward prosperously and continue to serve the local community.

The sessions will be held on the following dates:

May 13, 2021 – Engaging your Board, Volunteers, and Team During this Difficult Time