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The last few weeks have pushed non-profit organizations into new territory. As the world changes (sometimes daily), you have risen to the challenge and carried out your missions in new and amplified ways. For some it means historically high numbers of families seeking emergency food. For others whose doors have closed, you've quickly organized to identify what your community needs and how you can respond in new and different ways. It has been inspiring to see how organizations have answered the call to help.

“Hold the line…love isn’t always on time…oh oh oh.” (Familiar with this Toto song?)

Like love, flights out of Newark, expense reports (at least mine) and fundraising campaigns – sometimes we just don’t have control over things being “on time.”

We’ve said before that donors don’t really care that you were supposed to finish your annual campaign in March. Or that your capital campaign was supposed to be in the “community” phase by now. Especially during today's uncertainty, most people don’t care that your campaign timing might be off.

Non-profit organizations form in the hope and belief that they can address societal needs in ways that are more efficient and effective than have been previously tried.  Some organizations have a mission focused on solving a specific problem like regional homelessness or finding a cure for a disease.  Others have a broader mission that desires to serve the community in changing ways over time.  Either way, there is an inherent knowledge that while the mission is firm, the strategies and tactics needed to achieve that mission will need to be flexible over time.

Let’s be honest, and real.

I left Hong Kong after three weeks in China on January 6^th.  Days later the epidemic arose.  Still in Hong Kong were my wife’s parents, two sisters, and their five children ages 13 years to 18 months – all hunkered down. And in the last 50+ days of isolation, we’ve video-called them several times a week and learned from their experience. They worked from home, their schools went on-line, mandatory social distancing, and on and on. In an international, multi-cultural city of 7 million, life changed overnight.

When you consider all the things you have no control over right now, it can be overwhelming. However, there is one thing you can control. People need authentic, caring connections with others now, maybe more than ever. And you, as a non-profit leader, can role model how to display that warmth and concern over the next couple of weeks.

UPDATED: Link here to free consultation, resources and samples from other non-profits. Updated daily.

These are unprecedented times. So many of you have reached out to us, wondering what to do about your campaigns, your communications and more.

One doesn’t have to be glued to the news to sense the uncertainty that is gripping the stock market, our nation and even the world. As a nonprofit professional or volunteer, how do you continue to seek support for your mission while acknowledging the volatility of our political, economic and health landscape?

My friend Larry Webb, business owner and philanthropist, has been a big supporter of the Leelanau Conservancy in Northern Michigan. Larry is one of those donors who does not find naming opportunities important to his giving. In fact, when he was asked about a naming opportunity for this project, jokingly answered, “Just put my name on a tree.”

Hiring a consultant is a big investment for a non-profit organization. If this is your first time working with a consultant, or if previous consultant engagements weren’t successful, here is some advice from our consultants to you.