Fundraising in Weird Times
Things are weird to say the least. For me the last few days have been very frightening, watching normal life close down across the world and close to home. But I also know that life keeps moving, and that the biggest needs in our communities are only going to get bigger during the current pandemic. So, a few quick thoughts on the two fundraising questions I’ve been getting a lot of these past few days, plus a few things that are keeping me hopeful in hard times.
What should I be telling my funders?
Be very honest about the situation at your organization and in your community. I have seen funders locally starting to reach out about what nonprofits are facing and seeing - answer truthfully. It is still very intimidating to disclose problems to funders, especially organizationally, but if you’ve had to move a big event and are seeing budget gaps because of it, speak out. Similarly, now is the time to emphasize where funders need to be stepping up to fill gaps in communities hardest hit by the pandemic. As Vu Lee pointed out today, there is some past history of foundations feeling pressured to scale back when markets get bad, and we need to be open and honest with foundations that we can’t afford that of them.
Are emergency funds available?
Unfortunately I don’t know the answer to this yet. I have seen at least two foundations nationally and in the Twin Cities publishing emergency support grants targeted at individuals, in both cases for artists.
In New York: https://www.nyfa.org/Content/Show/Rauschenberg-Emergency-Grants
In Minnesota: https://springboardforthearts.org/additional-resources/personal-emergency-relief-fund/
At least in Minnesota, I am seeing optimistic indicators that foundations are planning at least some emergency support. I recommend watching the big players, who are most likely to have the resources and flexibility to do so, as well as health-focused funders: Otto Bremer Trust, St. Paul Foundation, Minneapolis Foundation, Blue Cross Blue Shield. I think community-driven foundations like Bush Foundation could also release some specialized support.
The Minnesota Council of Nonprofits is also maintaining a resource guide that they’ve updated periodically. It doesn’t have funding information yet, but it might at some point, so it’s worth checking.
I’ve been collecting the things that have made me smile, pause, or breathe these past few days as things have gotten very scary. I hope they give you a moment of joy, peace, or calm as well.
Disasters bring out the best in people.
Disasters are also a chance to translate this individual best into our systems. Crisis is frightening, but it’s also an unearthing.
Let’s take care of each other.
