The COVID-19 pandemic is challenging for all organizations, especially nonprofits. On a human scale, people running nonprofits are concerned about the safety and health of their donors, volunteers, and even their friends and family.

On an economic scale, there are concerns about management, costs, fundraising, and operational issues. Many nonprofits facing shelter-in-place orders on local and federal levels are worried about survival. For instance, 73% of charities worldwide report a decline in contributions. What's more, many government funding programs for nonprofits worldwide have been heavily cut.

Fortunately, there's light at the end of the tunnel. As vaccine rollout continues, experts predict that the climate will start to improve meaningfully by the summer of 2021. Until the situation improves, your nonprofit must survive.

1. Use the Right Technology

Managing a nonprofit is challenging enough as it is. Add a pandemic to the mix, and it is even trickier. Thankfully, the right tools can certainly help. For instance, this nonprofit CRM can help you manage your entire organization from your office chair.

Even if your nonprofit doesn't deal with sales, this customizable CRM can help you manage donors and fundraising. It also allows you to organize all your data in one place without relying on a series of spreadsheets, Word docs, calendars, and lists. You can also enhance your CRM dashboard with pages that help with donations, memberships, case management, course registration, etc.

Likewise, take advantage of social media marketing tools, chatbots, and apps to maintain your marketing efforts until you can resume in-person events. Digital engagement may help your nonprofit weather this storm yet.

2. Stay on Top of COVID-19 News

As the leader of a nonprofit, it's essential for you to stay on top of COVID-19 news. The latest information can help you plan operations and keep your staff, volunteers, and donors safe from outbreaks.

You can play your part by encouraging your team to download the latest national contact tracing app. Studies have shown that countries that adopt such software manage outbreaks betters. In addition, check to see if people in your organization qualify as front-line workers and qualify for vaccinations.

3. Continue Engagement

With the world in a crisis, you may consider lowering engagement efforts to cut costs. However, this can be counterproductive. For instance, the nonprofits that ended direct mail programs after the 9/11 incident lost valuable revenue. On the other hand, nonprofits that continued only suffered a momentary decline before revenue rose again.

While every crisis is different, it's essential to continue your acquisition endeavours to maintain revenue.

4. Be Flexible

While it's necessary to invest in resources that yield results, it's also a good idea to adjust where you need to. If you have tough decisions to make, then it's best not to prolong them for your organization's survival.

As the leader of a nonprofit, your team will take your lead. Stay resilient, spread positive energy to your hard-working team, and appreciate your contributors with devotion and compassion. When in doubt, call those that rely on your nonprofit to remind yourself of the importance of your organization's mission statement. It's only a matter of time before the world bounces back.