What Are Nonprofit Capacity Building Needs in the Post-COVID Era?

About

In the weeks and months after the pandemic hit, nonprofit organizations had to deliver services while also transitioning to remote operations and simultaneously confronting operational issues related to the physical well-being of workers and constituents. They needed lots of help, and fast.

Three contributors to the COVID Response and Impact Fund—UJA Federation, Robin Hood Foundation, and The New York Community Trust—came together in June to develop a comprehensive package of capacity-building assistance for their collective nonprofit partners, using coordinated funding to six service providers. The package of services included help sorting out the short- and long-term financial implications of the crisis, helping groups pivot from galas and fundraisers to virtual events with minimum loss of revenue, advice on legal matters such as disputes over fees for cancelled events and activities, and counseling on the many unprecedented personnel matters that emerged as the crisis evolved. All services—large group convenings, small group workshops, office hour clinics, and one-on-one counseling sessions—were delivered virtually.

As we enter the next phase of this crisis, understanding the shifting capacity-building needs of our nonprofit partners will be an ongoing learning process. Join us in conversation with funders, grantees, and capacity building service providers (Nonprofit Finance Fund, Lawyers Alliance, Cause Effective, The Support Center, and CRE) to gain a better understanding of lessons learned, and to consider how best to prepare for what lays ahead.

Explore

• The impact of the collaborative fund, and the lessons learned
• The benefits (and challenges) of having capacity building support come from multiple funders acting collaboratively
• Whether cross-referrals and coordination among capacity-building service providers result in greater efficiencies, including potential benefits to the virtual delivery of services
• What new capacity building needs may emerge as the crisis enters the next phase
• How funders can sustain new "best practices" (e.g. streamlining applications and/or reporting)

Speakers

Panelists

• Irene Baldwin, Executive Director, Ariva
• Lauren Brandt Schloss, Executive Director, Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts
• Jennifer Mitchell, Executive Director, The Hope Program
• Judy Zangwill, Executive Director, Sunnyside Community Services, Inc.

Co-Facilitators

• Shana Bloom, Director of Network Strategy, UJA Federation of NY
• Deborah Sakellarios, Managing Director of Management Assistance, Robin Hood Foundation
• Patricia Swann, Senior Program Officer, Civic Affairs, Community Development, and Technical Assistance, The New York Community Trust

Designed for

All interested funders in grantmaking roles. What to expect: Presentation followed by breakout discussion.

Registration

10:00 - 11:30 AM Program

Registration is required by April 14th. Registrants will receive the webinar link a day prior to the program. 

Members: To register yourself and/or a colleague at your organization, please log in and click the Register Now link above. (no fee)

Non-Member Funders: Please email register@philanthropynewyork.org ($150 fee).

Please email register@philanthropynewyork.org with any questions.