Those of you who love high-brow films most certainly didn’t miss the 2006 Adam Sandler classic, “Click.” In it, a workaholic husband and father finds a universal TV remote that allows him to fast forward and rewind parts of his life. Complications ensue.
While I admit I enjoyed the movie, it was the premise that captured my interest. What if we could reset our lives with the click of a button (complications not included)?
The Covid pandemic had a huge effect on nonprofits. I can’t imagine anyone not being impacted. But there are those who came out stronger in the long run – including two of my clients who had stalled capital campaigns as Covid arrived. While they struggled mightily with the dire operational issues that came with the shutdown, in the end they came back with a capital campaign stronger than ever and in both cases surpassed their goals.
My contention is that they clicked the reset button. The pandemic delay gave them a chance to look back on the campaign and choose a new path forward.
Throughout the pandemic, these nonprofits changed and strengthened service, relationships and leadership. They made changes such as:
- Emergency childcare for front-line workers.
- Ramping up food distribution programs.
- Strengthening relationships – not going quiet but rather reaching out to their community and asking the question, “How are you doing and what can we do to help?”
- In one case, the nonprofit offered classes in the parking lot. (“They just showed up, so we went out and led them.”)
Out of this came much stronger capital campaigns in all elements:
- Case: they could demonstrate a “Blue Flame” case for how they were meeting the needs of the community today.
- Leadership: they were led by more inspired volunteers along with new leaders who were proud to come forth and help.
- Prospects: people saw the organizations reset for the needs of a community by reaching out and listening, comforting and serving.
- Plan: while the capital pathway was littered with rising costs, shortness of materials and fewer options, they were able to craft a plan with clear objectives as to where they were headed.
While it would have been a lot easier to have Adam Sandler’s remote to click, these leaders regrouped and reset, listened and led, and came out with a successful campaign.
It doesn’t take a pandemic to reset. It just takes leaders like Heidi, Tonya and Nick.
Every nonprofit leader will face a time when even the best plans don't work out. When that happens, working harder isn't necessarily the answer. It might be time for a reset. This summer, we'll be sharing stories and ideas to regroup, reimagine, reinvigorate... and reset!
