On the 30th of January 2020 COVID-19, also infamously known as the coronavirus, was officially declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of the WHO. Since then, people from all over the world have had to adapt to the so-called “new normal” and the various social and economic challenges brought about by this unprecedented event. 

Though many people have found ways to keep themselves safe from the virus through various lifestyle changes, many businesses and nonprofit organizations still feel the coronavirus's economic effects. With that in mind, here are 5 helpful tips to help you promote your nonprofit organization amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic.

1. Move your nonprofit’s fundraising events online

With the effects of the Coronavirus forcing everyone to stay home and follow the guidelines of social distancing, it’s not hard to believe that people have been spending more and more time online. In fact, according to MIDiA research, the average person now spends an average of four and a half hours per day on digital entertainment alone. Numerous businesses have tweaked their models to benefit from the fact that people are becoming more dependent on the Internet and there’s no reason that you can’t do the same.

2. Incorporate building connections and entertainment into your strategy

As mentioned previously, the average person now spends 4.5 hours daily on the Internet solely for entertainment. And, since the advent of COVID-19, people have been spending a large chunk of their time building connections online as well. For starters, just think of all the people who spend hours on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and other social media social networking sites.

By pivoting your strategy to build connections and entertain, you will be able to fulfill the expectations of your audience. Though these methods are effective, don’t limit yourself to Facebook events and reaching out to influencers to promote your nonprofit organization. Try to think of various outside-the-box ways to not only connect to your audience, but to potentially reach a new demographic as well.

3. Utilizing a virtual team for your fundraising events

Since meeting physically now brings with it potential health risks thanks to the Coronavirus, assembling a virtual team has become the best way to circumvent said risks. However, this can pose quite a problem for those who do not consider themselves tech-savvy. For a start, here are a few roles that you may want to assign to round out your virtual team:

- Data Specialist: A data specialist is someone who transfers information on paper into electronic data systems. They generally oversee the entire conversion process, working closely with clients to ensure that this data is accurate and accessible.

- Content Generator/Curator: A content curator sorts through data on the Internet and collects the most relevant data to share on blogs, websites, and social media. Think of a content curator as a sort of digital librarian.

- Communications Lead: To put it simply, their duties revolve around developing communication strategies such as programs, newsletters, publications, and other mediums for public relations.

- Production Lead: A production lead should be able to organize and recommend strategies to ensure that the product is developed successfully, in accordance with all specifications. They supervise teams that work in operations and product development.

- Host: This role involves giving speeches or presentations to an audience, monitoring the agenda to ensure the event runs smoothly, and introducing performers or speakers. The ideal host should be charismatic and engaging.

4. Consider online streaming to engage with your audience

Online streaming is a great way to engage with your audience on the fly. People will be able to interact in real-time with you or your host and have their questions and concerns answered almost as soon as they are raised.

5. Don’t be afraid to seek help and support in the form of donations

There is a way for nonprofit foundations to offer support and to seek help at the same time. You’d be surprised at the number of like-minded individuals and organizations that would be happy to give you the help you need. Always try to keep in mind the goal of your nonprofit event or organization, and this should give you the courage to ask for help when you need it most.

To sum everything up, it’s clear to see that operating a nonprofit can come with its fair share of difficulties, even during the best of times. But considering these helpful tips, there’s no reason you can’t still run a successful nonprofit despite the many challenges that COVID-19 has thrown into the mix.