Giving Compass' Take:

• Nonprofit organizations should prioritize how well they can execute social impact, economic viability, and capacity in the wake of COVID-19. 

• How can donors bolster organizations in these three areas? Where are the most significant gaps for nonprofits?

• Read more on how funders can help nonprofits weather the coronavirus. 

Nonprofit sustainability, or the ability to continue delivering relevant social impact over the long term, has always been important to nonprofit leaders. But as the spread of COVID-19 causes upheaval in just about every aspect of society and highlights the deep social inequities many nonprofits are working to address, sustainability is becoming even more of a top priority. Over the past few weeks, we’ve spoken with many nonprofit leaders who are worrying about how they will continue to sustain the important programs and services their organizations deliver. Indeed, a recent survey from LaPiana Consulting found that 93 percent of nonprofit respondents have already had to adapt or curtail services.

First and foremost, make time to revisit your vision for social impact—the impact you’re trying to create and how you plan to create it—as context and needs change. In addition to informing decisions on finances and capacity, this helps ensure that your work remains relevant.

Many of the organizations we’ve talked to are shifting the way they deliver programs and services, forging new partnerships to extend their reach and impact, or using this moment to advocate for systemic change.

Many nonprofits are currently facing an increase in demand for services, coupled with significant disruptions to their funding streams. A recent survey from Nonprofit Finance Fund found that most nonprofits (60 percent) are experiencing destabilizing conditions that threaten their long-term financial stability, and even more (64 percent) expect to experience continued threats in the months ahead.

Despite this destabilization and uncertainty, there are some things leaders can do right now:

  • Assess your current situation.
  • Create financial scenario plans.
  • Have honest conversations with your donors and stakeholders.

While different organizations have different capacity needs, these four are core to sustainability:

  • Leadership capacity.
  • Adaptive capacity.
  • Collaborative capacity.
  • Technology capacity.

Read the full article about what nonprofits should prioritize by Amy Celep, Megan Coolidge & Lori Bartczak at Stanford Social Innovation Review.