Page 6 - Giving Guide 2020-2021

Delaware Alliance for Nonprofit Advancement
Collaboration: A New Survival Skill for the Post-COVID World
The past several months have tested every single one of us. In ways we could have never imagined. We had to make tough choices and even tougher sacrifices. Many nonprofits have had to be incredibly creative just to survive long enough to keep serving our citizens. As the pandemic stretches on, we face even more fall out from this crisis.
Nonprofits are going to be challenged to find ways to create longevity and sustainability with dwindling resources. The economic stimulus packages helped temporarily, but those will stop. Their donations have slowed. Fundraising events have been curtailed. Their programs cost more to deliver.
Even harder decisions are coming. Decisions that require deep thought and strategic planning on their part. Some nonprofits might need to ask: Is my nonprofit able to keep going? Do we have the funding and the resources? Can we afford to rehire or retain talent? What is the right answer? Will we even be here in another year?
My answer is to first consider: Collaboration. We learned during the pandemic – when paired with the right group of folks – collaboration is the key to moving mountains. Collaboration is what led to $25 million dollars in federal CARES Act dollars designated to the state of Delaware and New Castle County being earmarked for nonprofits exclusively. DANA, Delaware Community Foundation, Philanthropy Delaware, and United Way have become a powerful collaborative – one who was able to bring government to the table to provide relief to our sector.
How does this translate to philanthropy? Collaboration requires investment. It takes time and people to forge the strong relationships which are critical for collaboration. It takes research and systems improvements, so nonprofits understand the needs of the community they serve and have the ability to share data across their organizations. Donors can play a role in helping to fund not just the important programs and services nonprofits provide, but also the important processes and systems necessary for those programs to be evaluated and improved upon.
This pandemic has asked all of us to live and work together in new ways. Your continued generosity in these challenging times will help make Delaware communities survive. Extending your gifts beyond program delivery to ensure nonprofits have the resources to innovate and evaluate will, in the long run, help our communities thrive. As always, DANA stands ready to help all nonprofits in many ways, connecting them and helping them innovate. Fostering innovation and collaboration among nonprofits in Delaware is in our DNA.
As we forged forward into a new future, we wish you health and success. And, we say thank you. We truly appreciate all that you have done for nonprofits in 2020 to date.
Sincerely,
Sheila Bravo
President & CEO
Delaware Alliance for Nonprofit Advancement
4 | GIVING GUIDE 2020/2021