Silver linings and positive practices that could come from COVID-19
With COVID-19 and stories of furloughs and funding voids at every turn, it can be hard to stay positive. Indeed, as another week of lockdown ends, the silver-linings might seem hard to find. But they ARE there, and we want to use this post to remind you of the positive practices that could – and already are – emerging from this global pandemic. Yes, we live in challenging times. But the sector is strong, and we will get through this. Who knows? We might even be better for it.
In what is now the world’s largest experiment in home-working, virtual teams are looking set to shift the status quo. Where many organisations were bound to the traditions of 9-5 office life, the corona crisis has forced the box wide open. Could this be the start of a new normal? Imagine. A working world that’s open to remote options, and employees enjoying the freedom and work/life balance this move would bring.
Of course, with a virtual world a comes an absolute need to get to grips with all things digital. You will know from some of our previous posts that charities can be a little slow when it comes to digital fundraising – with specialist skillsets a notable shortage for many organisations. People won’t become experts overnight, but with community events cancelled, digital fundraising is not only our present, it is our future. As need sees organisations experiment with a host of weird and wonderful virtual events, some ideas are bound to stick. You might even find your next big thing!
With cities locking down in a matters of hours, no-one had any time to plan. There is no choice but to be flexible. To try new things. It might be daunting, but for those that can be risk averse and a little too comfortable with ‘business as usual’ it’s no bad thing. And it isn’t just charities that are flexing. Donors are too - with London’s COVID-19 funders an example of the open and constructive conversations taking place to help ensure a charity-centric response.
It is also heart-warming to see a surge of philanthropic activity sweeping the nation (check out Civil Society and UK Fundraising for some available opportunities). From volunteer networks to emergency funds, corporate funds, matched funds and unrestricted funds - individuals, businesses and grant-giving bodies are coming together to support the sector in this time of crisis. Whether it will be enough to counter its losses is to be seen. But as stakeholders recognise the scale of the crisis, perhaps there’s an opportunity in the making? With the third sector more important than ever before, could these next few months mark the start of a new conversation – one that brings an important versatility to the UK’s fundraising landscape?
Only time will tell. We have come a long way these last few weeks, but there are still a lot of uncertainties to face. Of all the storms charities have weathered, this is the worst. We will be lucky if it’s the last. But if we can do this – and we will do this – then the sector will have built a new set of survival skills.
We might not want to return to business as usual. More resilient than ever, maybe this is our chance to break the mould and carve a new way forward?
