• At the midwestern symphony that pivoted quickly to a mid and major strategy to make up the difference in lost earned revenue due to empty seats.
• At the social services organization that boldly told their donors about the need and asked many of them to give more than once to fill the gap.
• At the faith-based organization that asked their event donors to give even though the event was cancelled.
• At the education organization that explained how even though the students could not attend class there was a solution and these kids’ education could not wait.
• At the cancer research organization that made the case that cancer solutions can’t wait until COVID is tamed.

And the list could go on and on – clients of ours all did one or more of the following:

1. Pivoted quickly from events to other sources of revenue.
2. Changed their case statement and value proposition to make the case that the need was still here and urgent.
3. Unashamedly asked their donors to give beyond their usual pattern.
4. Moved quickly to digital forms of communication.
5. Increased their emphasis on stewardship with a focus on repeatedly telling their donors how their giving is making a difference.
6. Created donor offers that were compelling with large giving amounts.
7. Adopted a refreshing view of the donor as a true partner in their work.

This is what brought sunlight into the darkness of each of these non-profits. We urge you to do the same. 

You have the power and resources to change your patterns, approaches, strategies, and systems and adapt to this new reality. Do not wait one more minute to do so. And by doing so you will experience the warmth and hope of the sunlight.

Richard