The overall economy and our society rely on nonprofit organizations to provide critical support to those in need even during the best of economic times. Nonprofit organizations impact a variety of areas, such as health services, research, education, religion, employment, housing, food and nutrition, emergency relief, reaching at-risk and under-served populations and communities with necessary resources, as well as providing recreation and entertainment. With the stay-at-home restrictions continuing in southern California, and many offices and companies remaining closed or mostly closed, we have seen our nonprofit clients pivot to address these challenges in some positive and inspiring ways to fulfill their mission during unusual circumstances and providing support where it is needed. Here are some examples:
- Using emergency relief expertise to open and operate COVID testing sites across the country.
- Providing students with laptops, tablets, headphones, internet hotspots and other technological tools to ensure students can participate in online classes.
- Opening satellite food pantries in parking lots; providing a week’s worth of packed lunches to students and their families; delivering food and prescriptions to those unable to shop or go out for themselves.
- Reaching patients safely through telehealth meetings and assessments, and increasing access for patients who may not be able to visit the office in person.
- Designing online tours with museum staff and curators through exhibits and hosting virtual events and programming to connect with the public.
- Providing remote wellness and fitness programming taught by employee instructors.
- Setting up a virtual team of trained mental health, spiritual care and health services professionals who connect with families struggling with loss and grief due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. They provide phone support, access to resources, virtual memorial services, and online classes to facilitate coping skills to families in need.
- Providing support to underserved small businesses through direct cash and technical assistances; providing small businesses with resources and training to navigate loan applications, federal assistance programs, how to navigate and modify operations and prepare business continuity plans.
- Reducing summer camp roster sizes to allow for social distancing and using suggested health and safety guidelines like masks and outdoor activities; offering preschool centers for children of essential workers.
A big concern for nonprofit organizations continues to be funding and contributions. With the future economic outlook uncertain, some nonprofits have set up virtual or remote fundraising events in lieu of the former large-scale galas. Growth and sustainability through the ongoing pandemic will require ingenuity and use of technology, however, the support from nonprofits in the community is priceless. We continue to be amazed by what our clients have done, and look forward to serving them in their accounting needs as they arise.
If you have questions or would like more information, please contact Kelly Buck at kbuck@windes.com or 844.4WINDES (844.494.6337).