{"id":25638,"date":"2022-02-04T10:06:33","date_gmt":"2022-02-04T14:06:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.donorperfect.com\/nonprofit-technology-blog\/?p=25638"},"modified":"2024-07-09T17:12:26","modified_gmt":"2024-07-09T21:12:26","slug":"how-to-manage-fundraising-challenges-maintain-momentum-in-2022","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.donorperfect.com\/nonprofit-technology-blog\/fundraising-software\/how-to-manage-fundraising-challenges-maintain-momentum-in-2022\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Manage Fundraising Challenges & Maintain Momentum in 2022"},"content":{"rendered":"\"How\n
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In these turbulent times, fundraisers have done so much adapting to the \u201cnew normal\u201d<\/a> that it\u2019s no longer new. Donors have, too. By now, nonprofit organizations across all sectors are no stranger to overcoming adversity in its many forms. Some have been on the front lines of the pandemic and social movements, some have seen staffing and funding issues like never before, and some received a surge of donations they don\u2019t know how to maintain.<\/p>\n

Surgeon General Murthy predicted “the next few weeks will be tough” in the fight against COVID-19, as the highly contagious Omicron variant still hasn’t peaked nationally<\/a>. So far in 2022, many Americans have had difficulties getting a rapid test kit or securing an appointment for a lab test, and some have waited a week to get results amid a nationwide testing backlog, according to the Wall Street Journal<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Reports also show a testing divide in American businesses – where some big companies have secured enough COVID tests to keep workers coming in, while others have struck out. It\u2019s no wonder that nonprofit organizations are experiencing unprecedented staffing dilemmas.<\/p>\n

There is tension between being understanding and compassionate with employees who are struggling amid the pandemic and making sure your nonprofit continues to deliver its services, notes Phil Buchanan, President of the Center of Effective Philanthropy<\/a> – and in some cases, those services are life or death for the people you serve.<\/p>\n

Even before the pandemic, 38% of fundraisers reported planning around a potential recession; 29% reported planning around a presidential election; and 42% said changes in staffing will affect their annual planning, according to a 2019 Nonprofit Research Collaborative study.<\/p>\n

While you never truly know what\u2019s next, you can be intentional about your goals, create contingency plans, and nurture your organization from within. Think of the pieces that make up your organization, or five main areas: your culture, your donor journey, your donor communication, your online efforts, and your operational work.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n

Manage Fundraising Challenges in 5 Main Areas<\/h2>\n
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AREA 1: Your organization<\/h3>\n

Nonprofit executives are wondering how to proceed courageously, according to the Chronicle of Philanthropy. They need tools to manage the \u201cenormous ambiguity\u201d we\u2019re carrying in these uncertain times, as well as hope and optimism that things will get better.<\/p>\n

Nancy Koehn, Chair of Business Administration at Harvard Business School, studied how social-change leaders have dealt with their many challenges since March 2020. In a recent online briefing – called Leading Courageously in Unparalleled Times<\/a> – Koehn offered nonprofit executives the following advice on how to maintain momentum.<\/p>\n