Giving Compass' Take:

• Kris Putnam-Walkerly urges philanthropists to give resiliently through the debilitating effects of COVID-19.

• Why might it be more essential than ever to give right now as coronavirus threatens globally? What can you do to keep out of the shadow of COVID-19 and continue your giving journey, even more rigorously?

• Learn how institutions have made an effort to remain functional through the coronavirus.

In the past week, I’ve heard a dozen examples of philanthropists who dramatically slowed or halted their work because of cancelled trips or the need to work remotely. Assuming loved ones and colleagues are not ill, there is no reason philanthropic efforts must come to a grinding halt because of COVID-19. While face-to-face interaction is great, there are many ways to work remotely.

Sure working remotely can be challenging at first, especially if this is something that you aren’t used to. You might have children home from school, a spouse who is also working from home, or a pile of laundry calling your name. Once you pull through any initial feelings of shock and disorientation, and adjust to your temporary “new normal,” you can put simple practices in place to ensure you and your colleagues are productive while not in the office.

For example, establish working routines. Give people control over how and when they work. Focus on the results, not a schedule. Check in on your employees daily to see how they are doing and what you can do to support them. Make sure they have access to the technology they need and show them how to use it. Be flexible. Offer to extend deadlines if that will help them juggle work and family.

And if it’s not possible to get your work done remotely, perhaps because of cybersecurity restrictions on technology access, then do the things you always wished you had time to do: Read that article. Learn and develop yourself professionally by listening to a podcast or watching a webinar. Call your grantees and ask them how they are doing and how you can help. Conduct online research for your next funding initiative. Get to inbox zero. Or simply think.

Read the full article about giving resiliently through the spread of COVID-19 by Kris Putnam-Walkerly at Putnam Consulting Group.