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Let’s face it–2020 has been HARD. However well we adapted and pivoted and embraced the ever changing day-to-day reality, the year has been a struggle.

But now, at last, we’ve come to the end. From the global health crises, to the volatile political elections, to the protests and movements for social justice, the events of the year will not be soon forgotten. Yet, for all its twists and turns, there were some things from 2020 that will actually be worth keeping. There were victories, however large or small, that should be celebrated. We made it through, and we deserve a little credit.

What a year.

The events of this year felt like a gut-punch to a nonprofit sector that has been making significant strides in regards to poverty, public health, education, etc. Worldwide, an estimated 71 million people were pushed back into poverty. School closures meant that some 370 million children missed out on the school meals they relied upon. In a relatively short period of time, Covid-19 pushed goals that had been years in the making right off their tracks.

In the US alone, the start of the pandemic brought record high unemployment in many of the 50 states. And while the unemployment rate edged down to 6.7 percent in November 2020, there are still 10.7 million people unemployed today.

The struggles of many nonprofits were given voice by this holiday video from the Human Services Council, in which the Grinch leaves Whoville to lead a nonprofit in New York City, just before the pandemic hits.

From cancelled fundraisers, to missed events, many nonprofits have found themselves struggling to make up the difference. Yet, when presented with the need, donors rallied for the causes they support. Data from GivingTuesday estimates that “34.8 million people participated in GivingTuesday 2020, a 29% increase over 2019. Further, GivingTuesday reports total giving increased from $1.97 billion to $2.47 billion in the United States alone, representing a 25% increase compared to GivingTuesday 2019.”

While there is notable uncertainty ahead for many donors, others remain confident in their ability and willingness to give into 2021. They remain committed to the causes they support and want to see them survive these crazy times.

Despite the bad, there’s always a takeaway or two.

We are all desperate for widespread vaccine distribution, to hug our families and safely gather with our friends again. But whatever happens, we almost certainly will not be returning to what was before. Instead, the future will hold on to all the new and successful things we’ve learned this year, while making room for the opportunities yet to come.

For instance, while we may in time return to in-person gatherings and office-based work, the ongoing need for useful technology cannot be denied. As Salesforce noted in its trends for nonprofits in 2021, “in an increasingly digital-first world, nonprofits need to leverage data to inform decision-making, reach new audiences, personalize communications, and forecast fundraising income.”

Virtual events have helped us reach new audiences, and provided critical data about donors and supporters. New software and technology has played a key role in keeping our teams together, even when they are apart. Our supporters have come to expect the ease technology offers, and many of our services couldn’t operate without it.

So while it may be hard to overlook all the difficult and terrible things that have happened this year, let us take some time to consider what good may have actually come from 2020.

Charity Navigator offers a wonderful example from national animal rights organization Rise for Animals who decided to prioritize their team as the pandemic took hold. They expanded mental health and wellness services for their employees, something they plan to expand even further in 2021.

“This year was our first full year of implementing our unlimited paid time off policy and a living-wage salary floor,” Nathan Herschler, Executive Director at Rise for Animals writes, “This, I believe, helped sustain our team through a scary, uncertain time.” They took care of their people, and focused on keeping staff healthy and moral high. And with that strong foundation, they managed to carry on through all the rest.

That strategy certainly worked well for them. Despite the challenges of the year, Rise for Animals still managed a successful rebranding of their organization (they were formerly known as the New England Anti-Vivisection Society). They launched a new database to accelerate their work, and found creative ways to empower grassroots advocates through online programs.

Their example reminds us that that in a time of crisis, it is especially important to remember that people–not revenue–are what matter most. After all, people are the most valuable resource any organization has. It isn’t the money or the stuff that creates change. It is the staff and volunteers, it’s the advocates and supporters, the clients, who make all the difference.

Perhaps that is why Rise for Animals reminds us too, to focus on love. “I believe people are desperate to feel a sense of community, and to demonstrate love, and to create positive change in the world. Through everything this year, I’ve never been more confident in the power of people to create change, to take on huge special interests, and to fight in solidarity for those without a voice.”

So what’s next?

The Nonprofit Quarterly offered its own takeaways for 2020, summarizing the year and all its widespread implications and impacts for nonprofit organizations. From the momentum gained for racial justice movements, to the inevitable fallout we have yet to experience, to the conversations around what or who is considered “essential,” and the difference nonprofit versus for-profit models can have on industries–there’s so much work to do in the year ahead.

But that’s a problem for another day. There’s time enough to deal with all that went wrong. And while there’s no telling what 2021 will have in store, for now, let’s just take a moment to reflect. Give credit where credit is due. Sprinkled among all the bad, there are things worth celebrating, too.

So do it! Find your good. Give yourself the time and space you need to celebrate your achievements, whatever they were.

And if you find yourself needing help in the new year, remember that Breezy Consulting is here for you! Whatever the program or project, we are here to support you and the incredible work you’re doing.

We made it! Election Day 2020. In a whirlwind year filled with one surprise after another, we have made it to the big day. Whichever side of the political aisle you find yourself, there is little doubt the outcome of this election will have a very real impact on the work we all do in the days, months, and years ahead.

News feeds are filled with political ads and propaganda; with headlines about a new and deadlier wave of the Coronavirus amid widespread unemployment and a fragile economy. Relief provided by the CARES Act is winding down, while a second stimulus relief bill appears to be on hold until 2021.

The country is hurting, and the nonprofit sector has not been sheltered from the very real impact of the Coronavirus. Data shows that overall nonprofit employment is down 7.6 percent from pre-March 2020 numbers, translating to roughly 954,447 nonprofit jobs lost since February.

The Pittsburgh Foundation conducted a survey of 808 Pennsylvania-based nonprofit organizations (roughly two percent of active nonprofits within the state), and published their findings in a report titled Impact of COVID-19 on Pennsylvania Nonprofits. Results showed that eighty percent of responding nonprofits had experienced a revenue decrease due to COVID-19 and eighty-seven percent are experiencing a “negative impact.”

Another report found that one in three organizations could close their doors within the next year. Nonprofits have been hit hard, indeed.

And yet, so many organizations continue on. Despite fears at the outset of the pandemic, donors have continued to give. Early data suggests that private foundation giving is up forty-five percent. Countless in-person events have been cancelled and counted-upon revenue streams have diminished, and yet there has been a rise in the number of listicles encouraging organizations to give virtual events a try, citing examples of successful fundraising from the Ronald McDonald House to Pasadena Humane Society.

Even as I write, the landscape is changing. None of us knows what to expect next, or what the path to success may be.

And while up-to-the-minute data may be hard to come by, a report published by Deloitte in July 2020 gives nonprofit leaders something of a playbook for this difficult time.

By carefully assessing factors both known and unknown, Deloitte engaged in some scenario planning to predict possible futures. Their report titled, An event or an era? Resources for social sector decision-making in the context of COVID-19, defines four paths which run along a spectrum of possibilities. Each path hinges on an axis of pandemic severity and social cooperation.

While nothing is certain, this report can be a helpful tool to nonprofit leaders working to prepare their organizations for what comes next.

And though the scenarios outlined by the report may seem grim, the key takeaway is worth noting:

“The social sector has a real opportunity to meet the moment by stepping forward with bold action and leadership in a national time of crisis,” Deloitte concludes, “funders and nonprofits may not be able to control the future, but it’s critical that we all keep working to do what we can to influence its trajectory.”

From “a return to ‘normal’” to “a nation on the brink” there are many possible futures. As leaders in our organizations, our communities, and our movements, what can we do? How do we make decisions when the future is so unclear?

1. Plan and Prepare For Multiple Futures

Deloitte suggests that we use their findings to create an action plan of sorts for each possible outcome. Weigh your mission, programs, and response against each of these realities and decide what does or does not make sense for your organization. Make a 12 to 18-month plan–and break it down into 6 month increments to maximize responsiveness.

In a world full of unknowns, the one thing we can know for certain is where we want to go. Define success for your organization. Know your mission and your goals. Keep those as your guideposts along the way. Identify what markers or data you can use to steer, pivot, and correct course throughout the coming months.

2. Stay Responsive

Don’t let uncertainty overwhelm you. There are several resources available to help nonprofit leaders through these difficult days. Refer to industry resources and publications to stay informed. Connect with mentors and colleagues to check in. Always ask for help when your need it. Find what works for you. Whatever you do, keep going.

There are multiple crises facing the American public. These issues intersect and overlap creating a unique web that will look different to each and everyone of us, based on our individual work and perspectives. From social justice to healthcare and everything in between, work to understand the issues. Know what they are and what they mean to your mission, your staff, and the people you serve. Be intentional in your decision-making.

If needed, refer back to the plans you made in number one. Examine your goal, your mission. Look for your benchmarks. Are you where you need to be? Do you need to readjust?

3. Communicate

Talk to your staff. Talk to your board. Talk to your supporters. Be real about what is happening and how your organization has been affected. Share stories of your successes, or your failures. Whatever your truth may be, just keep communicating.

Be timely. If your issue area is particularly impacted by the headlines of the day, seize the moment and heightened attention to let your supporters know where your organization stands on the issue.

Be authentic. Ask for funds if you need them, but tell donors exactly what their support means. Tell them the problem and how their dollars can and will make a difference. Have you lost revenue from cancelled events? Tell them. Do you have higher-than-usual technical or administrative costs due to work-from-home precautions? Tell them. Be open and honest in your communication and you may just be surprised by the response.

As these findings from GivingTuesday suggest, “it’s OK to be vulnerable!” More than likely, your supporters want to help. They just need to know how.

4. Try New Things

The benefits of flexibility and adaptability in leadership cannot be overstated. This is not the first blog post to encourage leaders to remain quick on their feet, and it won’t be the last. In addition to these qualities, however, I add creativity.

There is no playbook for 2020. This is an unprecedented era and success may require unprecedented actions. This is the time to try new things and embrace creativity.

Is there an opportunity to engage donors in a new way? What benefit might there be in this socially-distanced, but virtually-connected reality? Look to your team and survey your most creative thinkers and problem-solvers. What ideas do they have? What would they do?

This is the time to be bold. Try something new. If it works, great! If not, you can tweak it or leave it. Whatever you decide, give opportunity and innovation a seat at the table.

5. Lean on Supporters

We all need support, in good times and in bad. As the year drags on, it is important to find solidarity and comfort wherever you can. Especially if your organization is in need, now is the time to lean on the relationships you’ve cultivated and ask for help.

Lean on friends, donors, and supporters. Be honest about the need and the difference it can make in your organization. And remember that your supporters, donors, and friends are all people too, dealing with their own version of 2020. Be mindful in your communications, and check in with them from time to time.

The only way we get through this, is together.

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As the old adage goes, “this too shall pass.” So have hope! Seize the moment to do what you do best. Even in the most uncertain times, we can prevail. Leaders who embrace change, empower their people, and respond to the needs of the public and their supporters will always come out on top.

Finding the Good and Celebrating the Wins

Finding Opportunity in Times of Uncertainty