There is no denying that a long road remains ahead of the United States in 2021. Bringing an end to the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring equitable economic recovery, and healing a deeply divided nation are all monumental undertakings that must be achieved in the next year.

This is a critical moment for philanthropy to continue and deepen its support for the populations most impacted by the pandemic. Here are three key considerations for philanthropy as organizations develop their 2021 COVID giving strategies:

  1.  Give in ways that will impact or serve those suffering the most. Some populations have been, and will continue to be, disproportionately impacted by the pandemic from both an economic and health perspective.  It is imperative that philanthropies continue to invest in these communities and keep these populations at the heart of their work.
  2. Align COVID giving with broader philanthropic goals to move the needle. Health drivers, like the vaccine and its roll out, contact tracing, testing, and bolstering the country’s health infrastructure will all be instrumental in bringing an end to the pandemic in the near term. Economic levers like business and workforce development, basic needs including housing and food insecurity, and education and early childhood will all play a role in the nation’s recovery moving forward.
  3. Understand what will be covered by the most recent federal stimulus and what the Biden administration is planning for, then find ways to amplify impact and fill the gaps. In order to be effective in supporting economic recovery, it will be important for philanthropy to understand who is being helped by federal and local government, and seek ways to bolster these initiatives, including through public private partnerships where there is alignment.

Last year, philanthropy rose to the challenge and in ways big and small provided immediate relief and support during a public health crisis that shook the world to its core. This year offers the opportunity for knowledge sharing, partnership and collaboration, all of which are tools for philanthropy to build a better, more equitable, and more resilient, future.

Read the full article about philanthropy in 2021 by Mira Ahmad on Medium.