The COVID-19 pandemic has taught us so many lessons. If your Board and staff have not taken a pause yet to discuss and understand it, you should. Consider this a springboard to starting that conversation.

“What lessons have we learned through this unexpected crisis?” is one way to approach this conversation. The other is, “Why and how did our nonprofit make it through it when other similar nonprofits had to close their doors?”

Here are some of the answers and lessons I have learned from the nonprofit organizations I’ve been consulting with that have successfully navigated this period:

  • They never wavered from their North star, and continued to be driven by their fundamental values and mission. They asked, “What does this crisis mean for our mission? And how do we best deliver it?” vs. “What expenses do we cut so that the organization can survive?” They remembered that the purpose of their organization – from its inception – was not to just exist, but to exist to feed the hungry, offer medical help to the poor, educate children, etc.
  • They were obsessive planners (in a good way). In other words, they had their strategic plan in place and knew exactly what their goals were and where they were in accomplishing them when COVID-19 hit. They had their crisis management and communication plans in place, which spelled out who does what and when in a crisis.
  • Relationships were at the center of their culture and everything they did before the crisis, and remained so during it. People always came first, whether clients, staff or donors.
  • In connection to the point above, they also had a strong working relationship between the board chair and the top professional.

Read the full article about nonprofit survival by Natasha Dresner at eJewish Philanthropy.