October 7, 2020
The Word of the Year Is Pivot
By Tom Linfield
“Food pantries will never work the same again,” says Marcia Kasieta, Executive Director of the Badger Prairie Needs Network (BPNN). She is referring to the changes made under the pandemic to serve clients and volunteers in safer ways while responding to the tremendous growth in need. Food cannot be packaged or distributed in the same ways. Visitors drive through outdoor spaces, never entering the actual pantry. Overall, the need for services has grown by 60%, and BPNN has gone from serving 14,000 visitors in 2019 to more than 22,000 so far in 2020.
To cope with change, BPNN, and many other nonprofit agencies, have completely changed the way they work, pivoting to different methods while focusing intently on their missions. For BPNN, this means new software to better track donated food opportunities, the addition of a 1,000-foot cooler to accept and provide more food, and a capital campaign to add an outdoor structure and heating so that they can continue to provide outdoor service during the coming winter months. They are doing more work during COVID, and they are not alone.
With nearly 3,000 nonprofits in Dane County, the pandemic has hit charitable organizations hard. From food and basic needs, to art, to the environment, every sector of the nonprofit community that makes Dane County so rich has evaluated the situation and, in many instances, reinvented the way they work. For so many nonprofit agencies, their tenacity, mission, and creativity have served them well. They are changing the way they provide services, changes that likely will continue post-pandemic.
Kanopy Dance, a resident of Overture Center, has turned to teaching more than 20 fall classes online, offering both group and individual teaching options. They are able to bring in guest artists from other cities and are participating in a national, virtual dance experience.
The Literacy Network learned that more than 70% of its students had lost their jobs due to the pandemic. So they deepened the work they did, and built on the trust they have built with both their volunteers and clients to help provide grocery cards, gas cards, and job referrals. This brought them success in 2020, both deepening their mission and increasing their fundraising.
Maydm, an organization that provides girls and youth of color with skill-based technology training, has traditionally done face-to-face workshops. While offering remote learning was part of Maydm’s long-term plan, Executive Director Winnie Karanja explains, the pandemic forced their hand and sped up those plans. As a result, Maydm has been able to increase the number of youth served and completed a successful $50,000 campaign to get laptops to students. After the pandemic ends, Maydm plans to integrate remote learning into its regular programming.
We all are looking for silver linings during the pandemic. For some nonprofits, like these, that silver lining involves embracing technology, becoming even more essential to clients, and delivering services in creative ways. Hopefully these groups can weave these innovations into the fabric of their organizations once this storm passes.
A favorite film of mine is Apollo 13, a film in which engineers and astronauts are tested when a lunar flight faces catastrophe. After an on-board explosion deprives the spaceship of most of its oxygen supply, NASA engineers on the ground must help the astronauts build an air compressor to increase cabin oxygen, using only spare parts on board. An engineer throws onto a table all of the spare gear and parts that could possibly be cannibalized from inside the capsule: This is all they have to work with to save their lives. They rise to the challenge and are able to pivot! Their deep knowledge and commitment to the mission help them save the day.
That is how I like to think of Dane County’s nonprofits in 2020.
Recent Posts
Thankful? Yes, I Am.
December 9, 2020
10 Tips for Year-End Giving
November 23, 2020
Deep Work
October 21, 2020
The Word of the Year Is Pivot
October 7, 2020
Census 2020: Funding the Final Push
September 22, 2020
The Unexpected Pleasure of Legacy Giving
September 9, 2020
Understanding the ESG Portfolio
August 13, 2020
Supporting Early Education Providers
July 30, 2020
Our Commitment to Ending Racism
June 4, 2020
CARES Act and Charitable Giving
April 22, 2020
CARES Act Provisions for Nonprofits
April 13, 2020
What a Difference a Week Makes
March 27, 2020
MCF's Coronavirus Update
March 12, 2020
The Big Share Is Coming
February 13, 2020
Understanding the Grantmaking Process
January 17, 2020
Thank You for Making MCF the Community's Foundation
December 27, 2019
Considering a Charitable Gift Annuity? Act Now.
December 3, 2019
10 Tips for Successful Year-End Giving
October 29, 2019
My Principal Experience
October 11, 2019
Meet Carmen Jeschke
October 8, 2019
Volunteers Make an Impact
September 25, 2019
Supporting Those Who Nurture and Uplift Our Kids
September 11, 2019
Waving Goodbye to Ann Casey
August 28, 2019
The Recipe for a Successful Capital Campaign
August 20, 2019
Field Trip: Exploring the Bayview and Goodman Community Centers
July 31, 2019
Working With MCF: An Advisor's Perspective
July 15, 2019
MCF Welcomes Becki Fiegel
June 21, 2019
MCF & The Evjue Foundation Announce $1 Million Grant to Madison Youth Arts Center
May 22, 2019
Variance - The Community Foundation Super Power
April 19, 2019
Women and Philanthropy
March 29, 2019
Imagination and the Arts
March 6, 2019
Say Yes!
February 19, 2019
Book Review: "Palaces for the People"
February 5, 2019
Madison Reading Project is on the Move
January 24, 2019
Hey Nonprofits: It's OK to Say Thank You!
January 14, 2019
$1 Million Estate Gift Will Support OutReach Forever
December 4, 2018
READ MORE POSTS ON OUR ARCHIVE PAGE