COVID-19 required nonprofit organizations to re-imagine everything –from their website landing pages to their constituent memberships; the organizations that were able to prioritize communication at the start of the pandemic stayed relevant by dipping into more diverse and innovative markets. As a result, they found success identifying and tailoring programs to the needs expressed by their communities.
Today, the nonprofit sector is more diverse, digital, and connected than ever before. Here is how successful nonprofits continue to find support in the post-pandemic world:
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Diversify
For many nonprofits, post-pandemic support is showing up in the form of diversification. Organizations are taking a long, hard look internally, considering the backgrounds of those who traditionally hold power, and working to better position their talents to maximize efficiency.
On the hiring front, successful organizations are opting to hire team members with unique professional and personal backgrounds. In this way, nonprofits are hoping to stoke solutions-based innovation and increase productivity via long-term planning.
Organizations have found that a diverse workplace has led to more impactful personal design and outreach. Diversification has prompted nonprofits to step out of their comfort zones and entertain unique ways to engage audiences across all platforms, especially digital ones.
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Digitize
Commercial and nonprofit businesses that survived the pandemic have one thing in common: adaptability. When the world was forced online, the nonprofits that were quick to digitize were able to continue working towards their goals, reach broader audiences, and were better set up to handle the post-pandemic world. For many nonprofits, digital optimization was the breath of fresh air the organization needed.
Digitization required nonprofits to think at length about their operational model. In an environment where no expenses could be spared, the nonprofit organizations that have seen the most longevity were the ones who were able to invest in technology. Those organizations were able to improve and streamline service delivery, data analytics, and reach a broader audience.
In a study done by Salesforce, researchers showed that during the pandemic there was a correlation between digitally mature organizations and organizations with the most innovative responses to changes. By moving online, nonprofits were able to streamline the service delivery, better track and assess their operational models, and, ultimately, provide more transparency to their established clientele and, in the long term, attract new clientele.
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Communalize
One of the greatest challenges faced by nonprofits during COVID-19 was the restriction of person-to-person contact. Many nonprofits struggled to find adequate methods of filling the void.
Popular and innovative solutions led organizations to look toward membership-based packages that reward small and large businesses alike for long-term commitments. By leveraging peer-to-peer fundraising and engagement, nonprofits have found it easier to not only build rapport among stakeholders but also to motivate and maintain an engaged audience.
The phrase “necessity is the mother of invention” has certainly been an accurate saying for the nonprofit sector as it emerges into the post-pandemic world. Could this needed innovation be the reason charitable donations have increased by more than 5% in the last three years? Possibly. However, to continue the trend, nonprofits will need to continue looking for inventive ways to garner support from a public who is quick to scroll and slow to double tap.
Enhanced Mission Network, helps support nonprofits so they can focus on fulfilling their mission. Visit our website and join, to get started today!
