Funding Your Nonprofit During COVID-19

Funding Your Nonprofit During COVID-19 Main Photo

2 Sep 2020


Uncategorized

This challenging and unprecedented time has left no one unaffected, especially within the nonprofit sector. As financial stability across the nation continues to stand on rocky ground, nonprofit organizations are feeling the stress of fundraising pressures. However, this is not a hopeless time for organizations; rather, a chance to adapt and reach new outlets of funding. Here is a look at how to change your approach for funding your nonprofit during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Adapt Your Approach: Virtual Fundraising

It is no secret that the face of fundraising is changing during this time. However, this also presents a unique fundraising opportunity: virtual fundraising. Virtual fundraising has taken off in recent years, and it is currently preferred to many donors. Digital appeals for fundraising have the potential to be shared across social media channels and mobile platforms.

But does the digital revolution extend to major investors and capital campaign donors?

It can. Taking a hybrid approach is often the best plan of action for larger campaigns. Now more than ever, investors who you may have not have had the chance to meet are connected through major video chat platforms. You can engage communities passionate about your cause in this accessible medium. On our recent podcast about Virtual Fundraising, a few Convergent team members offered practical tips for virtual fundraising success. They also discussed overcoming the challenges and finding the silver linings.

Cast a Larger Net: Extend Your Investor Scope

With a larger reach of investors available, you can make up for any donor instability by taking advantage of extended audiences. You can do this by casting a larger net for investors than you previously did. Are you used to reaching out only to certain demographics? Do you limit yourself only to platforms you are highly familiar with? Opening your door for new investors can help you fundraise during COVID-19 and may even help your organization sustain new channels of investors in the years to come.

Communication is Key: Communicate Your Outcomes

While communication has always been of the highest importance when reaching investors, it is perhaps now even more important. The messaging should still be consistent: you need to communicate the value of your outcomes effectively. The difference during this time, according to nonprofit leaders across the country, is a larger competition for fundraising dollars. You are now fighting for funds against a new wave of pressing causes in a time when even reliable investors may be facing difficulty. However, this does not lessen the importance of your cause and the community you serve. By communicating your outcomes effectively to a wider audience of potential investors, you can still find individuals and businesses willing to contribute to your nonprofit. 

Convergent Nonprofit Solutions 

Though these are unpredictable times, your organization can adapt with resilience and the right approach. If you need help adapting your nonprofit for COVID-19 fundraising, contact the experts at Convergent Nonprofit Solutions. Our capital campaign consultants can help you assess and reach available funding. Get in touch with our experts today to get started!

About The Author

Brian Abernathy's Profile Photo

Brian Abernathy

General Manager

Department: Team

I entered into the nonprofit field immediately after college driven mostly by a passion for outreach with teens. After launching a program in a local high school, I realized the importance and critical value of operations. I could invest my time in relationships with a handful of students, or I could invest it in systems that would enable scalability to reach hundreds of students. From that point on, my drive was systems and efficiencies that maximize the desired result.

I’m often kidded that this even overlaps into my hobbies and personal time. I want to find ways to be better and more efficient in everything I do. At Convergent, I get to fulfill this desire every day. I work with our team of skilled professionals to help increase the impact of the nonprofit organizations we work with in communities across the country.


Brian has developed a broad range of nonprofit experience through his career. He has led launches of local chapters for international organizations, directed the operational aspects of brand-new nonprofits, and developed cross-sector partnerships to identify innovative solutions for community development.

Prior to joining Convergent, Brian served as campaign director with a regional firm that managed capital fundraising campaigns for nonprofits. There he focused on building, scaling, and executing complex projects while developing systems to drive operational efficiencies.

Every nonprofit organization has an important mission but not many can quantify and communicate the value proposition of the impact they desire to achieve. Brian has helped organizations across various sectors develop case statements and impact strategies to effectively communicate their outcomes to key stakeholders and investors. At Convergent, Brian works closely with our project directors on strategic direction, day-to-day operations, expense control, and ultimately fundraising success for our clients

Brian resides in Buford, Georgia, with his wife, two daughters, one dog, and eight chickens.
 

Summary of Experience

  • VP of Operations at First Community Development, supervised entire operations staff of fundraising professionals and multiple capital campaigns.
  • Led development of a coalition of community leaders from various sectors to create Breakthrough Norcross — a collective impact initiative focused on improving educational and economic outcomes for students.
  • A member of Leadership Georgia class of 2019.
  • Elder and Treasurer at Emmaus Church.
  • BA in Business Management with an emphasis on Marketing from Carson-Newman College in Jefferson City, Tennessee.
  • Completed graduate level coursework at Moody Bible Institute and Reformed Theological Seminary.