Key Takeaways from Fundraising During A Crisis 2.0 Webinar
Over the past few weeks, life and work have changed for all of us. Not only are we adjusting to new work environments, but we are also in the midst of a changing fundraising landscape because of the economic effects of COVID-19. On March 17th, when the effects of COVID-19 began to unfold more rapidly, we joined together with our friends at Gravyty and some of the brightest minds in the fundraising industry for a webinar to help fundraisers adjust their strategies during these turbulent times. On March 31st, we reconvened for part two, where we reflected on what we’ve learned and tips for how nonprofits can continue moving their missions forward.
Here are the topics covered by each participant:
- Progressive Pipeline & Portfolio Management Betsy Chapin Taylor & Heather Wiley Starankovic (Accordant)
- Showing Value & Fundraising With A Purpose – Daniel Cohen (Graduway)
- Remote Teams, New Data, & Principal Gifts – Bonnie Devlin & Chris Biehn (Washburn & McGoldrick)
- All Hands on Deck – Trent Beattie (iWave)
- Crisis Communications: What Now? – John Brodeur (Brodeur Partners)
The presenters shared their expertise and insights for all nonprofit professionals. Here are a few of the highlighted topics that came out of the webinar:
Moving Forward
One of the biggest questions that nonprofits face right now is whether or not it’s appropriate to reach out to ask for donations to their causes. But an overall theme of this webinar was that we must press forward. Those who had a passion for your mission six weeks ago still have the same passion for your cause today. And while there may be people that disagree with your fundraising efforts right now, it’s important to remember that your cause is noble.
Showing Your Value
Now, more than ever, it is time to stay connected and find out what we can do to help each other. While it’s important to stay sensitive to current circumstances, you can still engage with your donors and alumni and find out how you can support them while also showing the value of your mission and cause.
Leading a Remote Team
Our team members are all entering new working conditions, with new coworkers (kids and family members) and new workspaces (kitchen tables and makeshift home offices). If you’re managing a team, remember to be empathetic and compassionate to your colleague’s new normal.
Adopting an All Hands on Deck Approach
Now is a great time to take stock of the resources and tools available to you and ensure that they will continue to serve you throughout this turbulent time. It is also time to think about different ways you can use the tools you have and how you can encourage other members of your team to use them.
These are just a few touchpoints of a very informative webinar. We were excited to be a part of this great collaborative effort to bring insights and helpful tips to the nonprofit community. You can watch the full webinar here.
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