By now your social media feeds must be chock-full of Mr. Rogers memes with his quote that includes “Look for the helpers.” His advice was beautiful and well-crafted, and intended for his primary audience of his television show, Mister Rogers Neighborhood, pre-school children and their parents. This famous advice emerged from a series of tips that he offered to parents for helping children cope and understand dangerous, momentous events that included limiting media, and encouraging their children to talk about their feelings.
Mr. Rogers’s initial definition of the word “helpers” centered on first responders and healthcare workers, but now includes all of you who work for nonprofit agencies, big and small, that are making a difference in countless ways.
I don’t own a red zip-up cardigan and my footwear these days consists of bedroom slippers and Birkenstock knock-offs, but I want to help the “helpers” like you.
Here are some examples of wonderful partnerships that are happening across the country that may uplift and inspire you. I’ve also included a short list of sites to keep checking for updates on grants and other assistance to nonprofits for you and those you serve.
You are the helpers, and I know that together we can step up and carry on.
Great Things Happening:
- Artisan distilleries across the country are pivoting their production to hand sanitizer for first responders and other front-line workers in health care.
- From designer Christian Siriano to members of quilting circles to college students with some time on their hands between endless Zoom University classes, people are coming together to make masks for distribution to beleaguered hospitals, direct service providers and others in light of the shortage of personal protective equipment.
- A 16-year-old high school student created a nonprofit that uses Sign Up Genius to connect individual donors to local restaurants to buy meals for delivery to hospital staff. Other service organizations across the country are holding online fundraisers to buy food and supplies.
- Food banks and school districts, Boys and Girls Clubs, and YMCAs are uniting to set up food distribution sites for families whose children had been receiving free/reduced priced meals at their public schools.
- The Atlanta Humane Society partnered with the temporarily shuttered Georgia Aquarium to give adoptable puppies a chance to “visit” the animals housed there. There was so much furry cuteness on social media. They also are running a contest for photos of the cutest quarantined pets, which is a fundraiser for them as well.
Where You Can Look for Assistance for Nonprofits:
Here are some websites of reputable, respected agencies that are providing top-notch, current listings of grant programs and summaries of breaking Federal aid efforts. Bookmark them and check them every two days or so.
- The Independent Sector has a comprehensive, but clearly written ongoing series of posts and a newsletter about Covid-19 Response funds here: https://independentsector.org/covid19/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Digest%204120&utm_content=Digest%204120+CID_ccbdc35dd67bb199e744459cc17bded2&utm_source=Email%20marketing%20software
- Candid.org (formerly GuideStar and Foundation Center) have a series of blog posts on different aspects of the Covid-19 response here: https://blog.candid.org/ you can sign up to receive updates as well.
- To monitor responses and funding opportunities at community foundations across the country, check out the Community Foundation Public Awareness Initiative, which lists them by state, and updates the list regularly https://www.commfoundations.com/blog/2020/3/11/community-foundations-nationwide-launch-efforts-to-help-communities-affected-by-the-coronavirus
- For quality summaries of breaking Federal legislation and other activities that directly affect nonprofits, check the National Council of Nonprofits: https://www.councilofnonprofits.org/nonprofits-and-coronavirus-covid-19
- Check out this special edition of the FUNDRAISING HAYDAY podcast chock full of COVID-19 resources for nonprofits: https://www.fundraisinghayday.com/episodes
If you have questions, are feeling overwhelmed with opportunity and would like assistance navigating the responses to Covid-19, let us know.
We’re here to help the helpers just like you.
By Kimberly Hays de Muga, GPC
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Kimberly Hays de Muga, GPC is a Strategic Partner with the Encore Institute for Social Impact and the co- host of the Fundraising HayDay podcast.