Fundraising around the globe amid Covid19
Covid-19 is disrupting life as we know it. These are tough times and fundraisers have a lot of questions. To give you perspective on how fellow colleagues are dealing with this unprecedented situation, I am sharing accounts collected from fundraisers around the globe.
My feature article “Covid-19: 7 fundraisers in 7 places”, can be found here (translation in German forthcoming in Fundraiser Magazin)
If you have questions or would like to add your experience, contact me here.
Covid-19 is disrupting life as we know it. These are tough times and fundraisers have a lot of questions. To give you perspective on how fellow colleagues are dealing with this unprecedented situation, I am sharing accounts collected from fundraisers around the globe.
My feature article “Covid-19: 7 fundraisers in 7 places”, can be found here (translation in German forthcoming in Fundraiser Magazin)
If you have questions or would like to add your experience, contact me here.
Barbara Coury, North Carolina, USA – Vice Chancellor and President of the North Carolina School of Science and Math Foundation (part of the University of North Carolina system), Durham, North Carolina, USA. Global AFP’s Outstanding Fundraising Professional in 2017.
Are you seeing any particular changes or trends in giving?
The vast majority of funders are relaxing their reporting requirements and also being somewhat flexible regarding the original gift designation. There are some funders, however, that are asking for gifts/support to be returned. It is an uncertain time in the U.S. and charities are spending quite a bit of time trying to maintain a balance between asking for additional financial support due to increased need versus refraining from asking because of the unprecedented social climate we find ourselves in. The nonprofits that are refraining from asking out of respect for our current climate are the ones who will not receive anything. People want to help and are not sure how to do it effectively. If your organization has the trust of donors and has experienced an increased need due to self-isolation, then you need to be brave in your mission and proud of yourself asking. The toll on domestic violence shelters alone has been staggering. Not surprisingly, staying at home with an abuser is creating a truncated timeline that drives more need for support.
Anonymous, Geneva, Switzerland – Major humanitarian aid organization
How did you experience the past few days of the Covid-19 crisis?
The three key words are: Fear, Trust, Solidarity. Obviously everyone is concerned; family, staff, the public, donors, corporations, etc. The primary concern is about health, but now this is expanding to economic concerns, social well-being and mental health. The dominant emotion is fear which is the strongest emotion of all, since it is essential for survival, unlike sadness, anger or happiness, for example. If you are afraid, you avoid danger, scarcity and taking risks and you seek security, safety, belonging, closeness to your loved ones… you want to be close to trusted people, institutions, brands, etc.… You think short-term of immediate dangers (The Present/Now bias).
Under uncertainty, we become even more irrational than usual… our decisions are not based on facts but on mental short cuts, emotions and social reference… we seek information that makes us feel good often at the expense of what’s true… wearing a mask makes people feel secure even if the experts tell them it’s useless… eating certain foods makes people feel they’re boosting their immunity system, regardless of the science. We need to feel in control and that we have choices, especially when we don’t.
Personally, I find working from home very efficient, thanks to the technology, but of course we miss personal interactions. People are getting creative. In addition to online business meetings and conference calls, they are also having online coffee breaks, happy hours and even Yoga classes! People want to be together, if not physically, then virtually.
What’s the political and economic context in your country or region?
In Switzerland/Europe living standards are high and in many countries there are reasonable social security systems (e.g. unemployment benefits, health insurance, pension schemes, etc.)… but many people are beginning to worry about their jobs and businesses especially in the small and mid-sized enterprises and the negatively affected sectors (mostly everything outdoor; airlines, tourism, hotels, restaurants, gyms, etc.). There are short, mid and long term concerns.
Politically, different governments are imposing measures at various points on the State Restriction ______________ Personal Freedom continuum. I think there is a general feeling that governments could have/should done more. There is an impression that while the virus doesn’t discriminate between rich and poor, the health system does, in terms of testing, hospitalization, supplies provision and treatment. There is also disappointment in the systems of rich countries unable to provide some basic health supplies. One can understand ventilators might be hard to source, but masks and sanitizers… really!
My impression is that is a drop in trust in big institutions, especially governments and media (mass media scaremongering and social media spreading false news), and increased trust in health workers and others on the front lines (e.g. people working in supermarkets and food stores, transport, post offices, those who cannot work from home). The picture is mixed for corporations; some are acting responsibly and focusing on helping (donating money, supplies, services, shifting production from luxury to essentials- from perfume to sanitizers), while others are seen as profiting from a difficult situation by increasing prices for scarce materials.
Overall, I find people behaving in responsible ways… there are a few incidents of selfishness, aggression, discrimination, but thee are many more examples of altruism, sacrifice, care, solidarity and compassion. A common example is neighbors putting an announcement in their building offering to buy groceries for the elderly and disabled.
Are you seeing any particular changes or trends in giving?
Yes. Face-to-face fundraising is stopped in most countries, though it is slowly coming back in some Asian countries; Japan and S. Korea. Resources are being switched from face-to-face to telemarketing, digital and DRTV. There will be changes for international organizations raising money in rich countries for poor countries. There is a tension between the international (if it is bad in Switzerland and Norway, imagine what it must be like in war-torn Syria or in the slums of Nairobi) vs. the local (If people in my country are dying, why should I give to people in other countries?). Hopefully the solution is to see it as a global crisis and we are all in it together.
Fundraisers also need to be sensitive to the new context in which people are mainly, or only, thinking about Coronavirus. They need to be sensitive to their mood and emotions. This is also a time to demonstrate solidarity, care, passion and not just to ask for money. It’s time to build trust.
The effectiveness of messages will depend not only on their content, but also on how they are framed and on their emotional impact.
How is your work affected and what are you/your staff doing differently as a result of it? Any learnings to share?
Yes, we are all affected. Staff are working hard to serve those in need while taking care of their families, their children and elderly. Those with young children who would normally be in the nursery or school but are now at home are in a particularly difficult situation they are not used to. Employers need to show more understanding than usual. Staff are collaborating, volunteering to help each other, starting buddy systems for those alone or new to the city, sharing inspiring stories and positive news, caring for each other and maintaining a sense of humor. It’s a time to work hard, cry and laugh… that is, to be human. Overall, I am impressed by the dedication of staff and their collaborative spirit… sometimes crises bring the best in us.
Personally, I aspire to this good life…
The good life is one inspired by love and guided by knowledge. Three passions, simple but overwhelmingly strong have governed my life: the longing for love, the search for knowledge, and unbearable pity for the suffering of mankind.
– Bertrand Russell
Margaret Scott, Australia – Fundraising Consultant & Director @ Margaret Scott & Associates. Researcher at Queensland University of Technology (QUT)
How did you experience the past few days of the Covid-19 crisis? Generally – we are getting more restrictions almost on a daily basis. Most States in Australia have closed their borders forbidding traffic/people movement altogether. I think I could say that most people including fundraisers are working remotely. Organisations who are reliant on fundraising events are either thinking creatively/virtually or cancelling. FIA (Fundraising Institute Australia) had a webinar on the topic last Friday and more than 1000 people registered for it. Zoom, the system, couldn’t cope but slides and video was circulated. It was excellent. So FIA has been proactive in assisting fundraisers. Advice was given generally, on fundraising with DM, Trusts and Foundations, Corporates and digital fundraising.
What’s the political and economic context in your country or region? People are losing their jobs here as they can’t conduct their businesses, due to people not able to congregate together. I heard of one fundraiser who was starting a new job and was told it wasn’t going to happen. Restaurants can only do takeaway now. The Australian Govt initiated ‘stimulus packages’ for charities and other businesses. They have taken a number of measures to help ensure businesses/people can still pay their bills.
Are you seeing any particular changes or trends in giving?
I think it is too soon to see trends in giving although there is a lot of encouragement in the media to support charities because so many people are going to them for help. eg The Salvation Army is about to have its annual doorknock launches – worth big money and then the doorknock itself. Critical to providing services.
