Nonprofit Survival Guide for Hard Times

I recently read an article on About.com by Joanne Fritz entitled Nonprofit Survival Guide for Hard Times. This article contained eight steps that can help organizations get through the tough times like our current recession. The steps are:

1. Don't pull back on fund raising.
Just as companies shouldn't cut back on advertising during a downturn so they don't lose top of mind with customers, Fritz writes that retreating won't help a nonprofit organization. Instead, take the opportunity to focus efforts and establish more personal relationships with donors.

2. Let your donors know that those you help are in more need than ever.
"No matter how a donor may be hurt by an economic downturn, the disadvantaged are damaged far more and have less opportunity to recover."


3. Find the stories that will touch the hearts of your donors.
In these times especially, try to find ways to show the shared humanity between people that need help and current and potential donors.

4. Stay in touch with people who have stopped giving.
In addition to the possibility of recapturing these donors, staying in touch reminds people of what they want to support when they can later afford to donate again. 


5. Find new donors in industries that are still thriving.
Though this is not the case for most, there are some industries that are recession proof and would be great donation candidates. Instead of following the traditional best practices, be proactive and find donors that other organizations haven't reached out to yet.

6. Take the opportunity to lower fund raising costs.
One way to do so is instead of having an expensive event, organizations can go directly to their donors for donations. For example, "Wrap a simple, low-cost mailing around the fact that you are lowering overhead by skipping the event, and ask for a direct gift that will put more services and money into your clients' lives."

7. Cut costs -- sensibly.
This is a time to cut things that lack efficiency and are extraneous and unnecessary. Just make sure to never deviate from the organization's mission of helping those that need it.

8. Take a new look at projects you intend to raise money for.
Though there may be ideas for future spending, this is not the time to use valuable resources. Instead postpone changes until the economic future is a little more certain.

All in all these ideas are great for nonprofits experiencing lean times. Economic downturns make things harder but at the same time they also offer the opportunity for innovation and new ways of doing things. New ways that are make your organization more efficient and more effective at achieving its mission.