The COVID-19 pandemic continues to present extraordinary challenges for our community and nonprofits across our region. Your continued service and commitment to our community is critical, especially during this time. Below you will find a curated list of resources for nonprofits to help you prepare and respond to changes and look towards recovery in the sector. Please continue to check back for updates and more resources.
Questions please contact: ejones@crcfonline.org
Re-Opening Resources
Governor Cuomo’s NY Forward: A Guide to Reopening New York
Businesses in each region will reopen in phases. Reopening refers to non-essential businesses, guidelines apply to both non-essential businesses in regions that are permitted to reopen and essential businesses that were previously permitted to remain open.
New York State, www.forward.ny.gov, offers the following for each industry/sector by reopening phase; summary guidelines, read and affirm guidelines and business safety plan template.
Nonprofit Resiliency Resources
Getting on the Road to Resilience, Georgia Center for Nonprofits
The immediate phase of the COVID-19 response effort is behind us. But what does planning for resilience actually entail? Adapting and preserving in this environment means developing resiliency, the ability to absorb a shock and come out better on the other end. That requires concerted planning and organization-wide effort akin to strategic planning, but with a different set of priorities and considerations.
Moving forward, nonprofits have three strategic options to consider, reemerge, reorganize and restructure.
Five Steps to Reimagine Your Organization’s Future Through Scenario Planning, Community Wealth Partners
Scenario planning can help your organization manage uncertainty, envision new opportunities, and spot unexpected threats. It improves your organization’s sustainability by helping you financially prepare for the worst and take data-informed actions sooner than you otherwise might have. This planning can help stabilize organizations during times of crisis and it can also help imagine a new future.
- Define key questions
- Explore drivers
- Build scenarios
- Develop plans based on assets and opportunities
- Monitor indicators
Scenario Planning: Rapid Planning in a Time of Rapid Change, BoardSource
Scenario planning is an excellent tool to use for planning during uncertain times. It is a disciplined and iterative process of envisioning possible future and examining what each might look like, so that you can make informed decisions and choose a course of action. Looking systematically for risks and opportunities provides the power to plan effectively for a future as a thriving resilient organization.
Essence of Resilient Leadership: Business Recovery from COVID-19, Deloitte Insights
A resilient organization is not one that is simply able to return to where it left off before the crisis. Rather, it is one that has transformed its DNA that enable it to not just recover to where it was but catapult forward quickly.
Resilient leaders are defined by five essential qualities of who they are, and then by what they do across three critical time frames: Respond, Recover and Thrive.
Nonprofit Governance & Financial Resources
What Nonprofits Should Do Right Now, Nonprofit Finance Fund
- Cash Flow Template: Understanding your situation. (video)
- Scenario Template: Determine and monitor options; plan for different scenarios and gauge what needs to happen to maintain level of services or take other measures. (video)
- Guide for Narrating Your Financial Situation
- Communicate and reflect; with board, staff, constituents and funders about the current situation and what is needed to fully respond.
Basic Cash Flow Projections, Wallace Foundation
Excel template simplified version of cash flow projections, identifying potential cash shortfalls.
Revenue Scenario Planning Tool, Wallace Foundation
Excel template to help nonprofit leaders project best, moderate, and worst case revenue scenarios.
From Sustainability to Survivability- How Nonprofits Can Manage Uncertainty Amid Crisis, Spectrum Nonprofit Services (*added 5/11)
As nonprofits struggle to maintain operations, payrolls or both while revenue is decreasing, there are steps they can take to increase the likelihood of success:
- Understand cash position
- Assess damage of revenue streams
- Look at the dual bottom line
- Include everyone in the discussion
- Communicate consistently
Tough Times Call for Tough Action, SeaChange
A decision framework for nonprofit leaders and boards. Executive directors and boards will need to take decisive and difficult action while dealing with the immediate crisis and planning for their post-COVID-19 future. This briefing highlights key actions, including understanding your type of organization, leaders and boards need to examine right now.
What Nonprofit Board Members Should be Doing Right Now, BoardSource
The board should be working closely with the chief executive to govern and manage the situation, as well as address external threats. While the CEO is responsible for operational planning and execution, the board should be reviewing and responding to the organization’s strategy and providing feedback.
Ask an Expert Team: Q &A, BoardSource
BoardSource has made this usual member benefit open to all during this time, and shared some of the most common nonprofit questions and Ask-the-Expert team answers.
Ask HR Weekly Webinar Series, Decision Associates
Decision Associates is offering a weekly 1-hour webinar series to help employers and HR professionals navigate the COVID-19 pandemic in the workplace. The first 30 minutes include an agenda addressing top workplace issues facing employers, the remaining 30 minutes are a LIVE Q&A for participants to ask any HR related questions. Scheduled weekly, Fridays at 11am; register to participate and view past webinar recordings.
Strategic Communications and Stakeholder Engagement
Tips to Manage Your Nonprofit’s Communications During the COVID-19 Crisis, Big Duck Insights
In times like this, it can be hard to know what to say to your staff, board, clients, volunteers and donors ect. Tips for nonprofits include, don’t stop communicating, be a rock for your community- let constituents know that you’re here, be honest and genuine and balance immediate response with long-term planning.
From Crisis to Connection: How to Build a Social Media Crisis Management Strategy, Sprout Social
Communications during a crisis: what to share, how to engage with your audience and how to adjust your approach to feel relevant right now. Why social media is critical for crisis communications: it’s fast, it’s direct, it’s a powerful data source, it’s a first touch point, it’s everywhere.
How to Reach Your Donors and Volunteers, Aspen Leadership Group
Recommendations for reaching donors and volunteers. During time of crisis, donors and volunteers are looking for clarity not only about how they can help, but how they can help NOW.
Communications and Fundraising
How to Salvage Your Fundraising Event During COVID-19 Crisis, Blog: getfullyfunded.com
If your nonprofit had a fundraising event planned in the next couple months, we’re here to help you minimize your losses and think outside of the box.
Essential Nonprofit Philanthropic (Donor) Strategies, Blog: bloomberang.com/blog
How will you and your nonprofit make it through these difficult times? Empathy. Innovation. Think of these two qualities as your newly essential communication and fundraising strategies.
Overview of COVID-19 Legislation
*Disclaimer: This information is an overview; it is not legal or financial advice.*
*4/24– H.R. 266- Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act was signed into law. Providing a total of $484 billion in new spending, including $310 billion in new funds for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), $50 billion more to the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program as well as $10 billion to the EIDL emergency grants program.
*4/16- SBA fund exhausted $349 billion stimulus and funds for disaster loans and emergency grants have also been exhausted. At this time the U.S. Small Business Administration has stopped accepting new applications for the Paycheck Protection Program or the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)-COVID-19 related assistance program (including EIDL Advances) based on available appropriations funding.
Small Business Development Center at Jamestown Community College
Phone or online appointments available with advisors www.sdcjcc.org or #716-338-1024
What does this mean for Nonprofits?
On April 22, the New York Council of Nonprofits (NYCON) hosted a webinar, Paycheck Protection Program Round 2 and Round 1 Implementation, for more guidance on the interim funding bill.
The NY Funders Alliance provides an update, highlighting the new funding through H.R. 266 and links to resources specific to the bill.
New York Council of Nonprofits (NYCON) has a survey for nonprofit responses regarding experience with lends and applications for the Paycheck Protect Program (PPP). View results here.
Coronavirus Emergency Loans, Small Business Guide and Checklist, U.S. Chamber of Commerce (*4/25 new updated)
Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act
Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act CARES Act (Pub. L. 116-132), National Council of Nonprofits
The CARES Act provides significant funding for governments, businesses, hospitals, schools and social support programs, among others. The National Council of Nonprofits provide an analysis of key provisions of interest in the nonprofit sectors.
Webinar-Guide to the CARES Act for Nonprofits, Courtney Curatolo SBDC at JCC (*added 4/7)
View a recording of the webinar here
Families First Coronavirus Response Act
What the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201) Means to Nonprofits, National Council of Nonprofits (*added 3/31)
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act includes a complex set of temporary paid leave mandates and employer reimbursement provisions, as well as funding for free coronavirus testing, food nutrition security, and Unemployment extension. The National Council of Nonprofits provides an analysis of what this bill means to nonprofits.
Employment Provisions:
- Two weeks of Emergency Paid Sick Leave
- Twelve weeks of Emergency Family and Medical Leave
- Reimbursable Payroll Tax Credits
Tax Advice on Refundable Payroll Tax Credits, IRS.gov (*added 4/7)
Explanation of refundable tax credits available to small and midsize nonprofits and other businesses that are required to provide the paid leave; outlined in a Q&A format with 66 questions total.
Other Resources:
Shared Work Plan Program
The Shared Work Program provides an alternative to laying off workers during business downturns by allowing them to work a reduced work schedule and collect partial Unemployment Insurance benefits for up to 26 weeks. Instead of cutting staff, you can reduce the number of hours of all employees or just a certain group.
Employer Resource Guide Webinar, United Way of Southern Chautauqua County (*added 3/30)
On March 26, the United Way of Southern Chautauqua County hosted a webinar with Elizabeth Cipolla SPHR, SHRM-SCP of Decisions Associates to talk with local nonprofit organizations about important coronavirus employer resources and updates. Below is a link to view the recording of this presentation, along with the powerpoint slides and handout materials.
Articles:
How to Transition Between Work Time and Personal Time, Harvard Business Review (*added 4/16)
Focus takes intentional effort and can feel difficult at times, especially in the midst of massive uncertainty. But following these tips, it is possible to be present most of the time when you’re working or in your personal time.
How to Keep Your Team Motivated, Remotely, Harvard Business Review (*added 4/16)
Many leaders have crossed the first hurdles of moving their teams remote: ensuring they have set up their tech tools, defined processes and logged into video conferences. This is just the first step towards creating an effective work environment; the next critical questions is how do you motivate people who work from home?