5 Tips for Nonprofits Navigating a New Normal Post COVID-19

by Jon Rosell, Ph.D.
Senior Search Consultant, The Moran Company
“We Find Great Nonprofit Executives”

Nonprofits across the country are reeling from the impact of COVID-19 on multiple dimensions of their organizations. Great uncertainty abounds for many agencies, even the ones that only a few weeks ago appeared to have a stable and optimistic future. The pandemic is directly impacting not-for-profit organizations in previously unthinkable ways including a few of these critical areas:

• The ability to carry out its core mission
• Board leadership and engagement
• Financial crisis management and fundraising
• Policies and planning for “life after COVID-19”
• Employee well-being and retention

Resilient organizations will use this period of uncertainty and instability to innovate and adapt as much as possible. They will assess their ability to fulfill their mission and identify the strategies, assets and talents needed to successfully emerge from this crisis. Below are several ideas to help leaders prioritize and effectively plan for the “new normal” as we navigate through these unchartered waters.

1. First Things First: Focus on the Mission
   Protecting the safety of your clients and employees should be top of mind. Creating and implementing strategies, policies, and procedures to conform with national, state and local requirements is “job one”.
2. Over-Communicate: Stay Engaged with Board members and Stakeholders
   Creating and implementing a strategic communication plan is paramount. The plan should prioritize accurate and frequent messaging to internal and external audiences. Remember – communication is a two-way street. Be sure to include ways your clients, Board members, and employees can quickly and easily convey questions or concerns. Lastly, incorporating a realistic and sincere sense of hopefulness will go a long way towards easing fears and anxieties about the future.
3. Financial Management: Assess short-term losses and strategize long-term solutions
   Financial instability is most likely a brutal reality for many organizations and could be for the foreseeable future. Traditional revenue streams and fundraising income are most likely disrupted and could remain so for some time to come. Now is the time to strategize how to leverage all the organization’s assets to stabilize your ability to effectively pursue the mission of the organization. Gather a team of your best thinkers (internal and external participants), analyze the facts, and generate your best estimations in order to craft a financial analysis that you can share with your Board, funding sources and employees. Below are some ways to start:

A. Conduct a budget analysis by program/service, as well as for the overall agency. Evaluate your current financial health and stability. Look objectively at which programs are “helping” and which programs are “hurting” the fiscal picture while keeping a close eye on protecting those that are essential to your core mission.
B.  Examine grants and contracts. Reassess likely outcomes versus expected outcomes. Communicate with funders regarding potential variances. Address any concerns raised and communicate about evolving needs.
C.  With key Board/staff leadership involved, develop a fairly detailed 3 and 6 month plan. Get Board approval and then communicate widely to staff and, perhaps, key donors and volunteers.

4. Plan for the Future: Update Procedures and Documents to Reflect New Protocols
   Most organizations have disaster plans in place, but these might not include steps to take during a pandemic outbreak. Continue to follow current health and safety guidelines set forth by the state and local governments, as well as recommendations established by the CDC. Consult with staff and Board members to update important policies and procedures. Communicate plans across the agency at all levels so that staff, clients and stakeholders feel safe and prepared with the knowledge they need to support your critical mission in the coming weeks and months.
5. Steady at the Helm: Secure the Organization’s Leadership
   Cool, calm, and competent leadership is priceless at this moment in time. Unfortunately, many organizations may experience disruption of their leadership structure, both Board and staff, during this transitory period in our society and economy. Securing capable leadership is crucial to an agency’s ability to survive and perhaps even flourish during this turbulent time. The Moran Company is here to help if you are searching for a nonprofit CEO or senior-level fundraising professional. Our recruiters have actually served in these roles, and we know what it takes to be successful. Contact us if you would like more information about our nonprofit executive search services – or if we can simply offer sound hiring advice to your organization during this time.

© 2020  The Moran Company, “We find great nonprofit executives.” We specialize in searches for nonprofit executive directors, directors of development/fundraising staff, and other top nonprofit leadership. www.morancompany.com