Opportunities for nonprofits in a post-pandemic world

Welcome to the latest edition of Moving Forward, a newsletter designed to help nonprofits exchange ideas and learn from one another to unlock the full potential of the sector.?

Any period of disruption inevitably creates challenges. But change also brings new opportunities, and for nonprofits, technology will be a big one in the months ahead.?

The pandemic forced many organizations to rapidly digitalize aspects of their operations—transformations which, in some cases, were long overdue. Donors don’t want or expect the nonprofits they support to invest in every cutting-edge tool and system that comes to market; indeed, they’d likely question why funds earmarked for this tech didn’t go toward advancing the organization’s mission. But they do want to engage with causes they care about through technology, like having the ability to easily make a donation or apply to volunteer online. By considering what they look for from the companies they interact with in their personal lives, nonprofit teams can better map their investments in technology to donor expectations.

Of course, the pandemic didn’t just change how organizations use technology. After months of working from home and socializing via webcam, many individuals are now more comfortable interacting in digital environments than there were at the outset of 2020. For nonprofits, this presents the opportunity to use video conferencing more often, minimizing the time and expense involved in traveling to meetings with donors, constituents, and partners. It also opens the door for organizations to continue exploring the possibilities of virtual events and volunteering programs to expand their reach, even as they resume their more traditional tactics.

We’re not out of the pandemic yet. But in the midst of ongoing challenges, there are still opportunities for nonprofits to innovate—and those that do may find the path to recovery smoother.?

What do you believe is the biggest opportunity for nonprofits in a post-pandemic world? Join the conversation by using the hashtag #MovingForward or sharing your thoughts in the comment section.

• Melinda French Gates, Co-Chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, shares a graph highlighting that, while unemployment rose for both men and women in 2020, employment recovery has been slower for women.?

• Skyler Badenoch, CEO at Hope for Haiti, shares a powerful interview about the organization’s work in Haiti following the recent earthquake.?

• Fundraising consultant Sarah Jackson offers tips for identifying the giving interests of foundations before requesting a grant.?

• If You Want to Advance Equity in Nonprofits, Invest in Tech: “Technology is a foundational entry point for change,” writes Amy Sample Ward, CEO of NTEN,” in this article that explores ways nonprofits can shift their technology practices, policies, and investments to improve equity within the sector.?
• Six tips on fundraising from top conservation donors and fundraisers: Maliasili, which serves as a support agent for African conservation organizations, rounds up six top fundraising tips that emerged from the African Conservation Leadership Network’s online session last year.
• 5 Tips for Unlocking Your Nonprofit Team’s Full Potential: Your organization’s talent is its most valuable asset. Embrace the opportunity to support employees’ professional growth and development, so they can reach their full potential at your nonprofit.?

We want to hear from you! Click here to refer a nonprofit professional you admire and whose insights you'd love to read. And if there's a particular topic that's top of mind for your organization right now, let us know and we may highlight it in a future edition.