Giving Compass' Take:

• At India Development Review, Naghma Mulla offers four effective means to inform COVID-19 funding.

• With much of the world reeling, why is it important to increase COVID-19 funding today? What can you do to help those affected by the global pandemic?

• Learn more about supporting nonprofits to mitigate coronavirus damages.

1. Go local
As the effects of the crisis hit us, grassroots networks have been activated, with their feet-on-street cadres risking their health and lives to ensure relief reaches the most vulnerable. These networks operating through nonprofits, are mostly regional or even local, thinly staffed with meagerly paid employees, sometimes highly dependent on volunteers. During this period of crisis, we, as funders, will have to let go of our preference for scale, and focus on how to nurture and strengthen these local networks to fight this battle which will be tougher and longer than we initially anticipated.

2. Use principles of disaster management
Looking at COVID-19 from a disaster-lens, I fear that we run the risk of funneling all our resources into relief and rescue, while ignoring the critical component of rehabilitation.

So, while large commitments to manufacturing masks and sourcing ventilators are welcome—and much needed, we also need to think about those who are on the brink of vulnerability to the virus, and those struggling with hunger and homelessness.

3. Encourage, support, and amplify unlikely collaborations
It is difficult for social purpose organisations alone to address the logistical and strategic hurdles that come in the way of achieving reach. We therefore need partnerships of all kinds if one is to adopt an agile approach and keep one’s focus clearly on the end goal.

4. Listen, adapt, and act
Lastly as funders, it is most critical to respond to voices from the field. We need to re-look at budgets and ensure that whatever support is given, is done in time. As the pandemic takes its course over the next few months, we will need to review initiatives periodically, keep adapting and changing what is not working, and continue providing support wherever required.

Read the full article about COVID-19 funding by Naghma Mulla at India Development Review.