Nonprofits work to improve the human condition in so many important ways that benefit business and the greatly diverse people of our community in need.
They seek solutions to the toughest human problems, frequently creating solutions the market or government often cannot. Surprisingly, they are the third largest private employer in the nation. While often paid less than other jobs, nonprofit employees get great satisfaction from their mission-driven nonprofit work. They are like heroes in our society, dedicated to helping other people.
A New York Times article late last month offered these grim statistics…” with 1.3 million nonprofits employing roughly 12.5 million people, about 10 percent of the total who are working in the private sector. A Johns Hopkins University study estimated that “1.6 million nonprofit jobs were lost between February and May.” But fortunately, like heroes, a wide range of nonprofits have seized the challenge to become even more efficient and reimagine their mission.
Many nonprofit organizations have pivoted in multiple ways, providing online opportunities, unique targeted programming and special funding appeals, in an effort to fill the gap. In the Philadelphia region alone, major museums that impact so many, like the Constitution Center, Franklin Institute, Art Museum, Museum of the American Revolution, National Liberty Museum and more, with great creativity and a constant eye on mission have moved to provide high-quality digital platforms to provide safety, greater convenience and more enhanced programs.
Youth organizations like Junior Achievement (JA), Boy and Girl Scouts and Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) rapidly evaluated their programs so they could provide valued and convenient virtual offerings. JA had the potential to impact over 20,000 students with their virtual career readiness program; the Boy Scouts are “saving summer” with a virtual camp for 1,200 youth a week for four weeks. Freedom Valley YMCA with its slogan “We May Be Closed, But Camp is Still On”; Philadelphia Youth Network (PYN) offering strong virtual internships and workplace readiness programs—all demonstrated true mission-driven resilience! Special Olympics even created a virtual marathon and Olympic game event for cognitively and physically challenged participants. Other nonprofits have been inundated with a tidal wave of requests for services.
DONATIONS MATTER AND HELP A LOT
Ironically, some of the same individuals who used to give to nonprofits are now standing in line to receive services. Nonprofits are cutting costs while working to improve services. Some are expanding activities or partnering with other nonprofits. Some are sharing space, staff and resources. They are always excited to gain more donors who support their mission. Corporations, foundations and individuals are stepping up to do so. But more are very much needed.
AN INSPIRING STORY
One inspiring story was shared by Dan Templar, CEO of the Cradle of Liberty Council, BSA.
“I just thought you all might enjoy some positive news that is a direct result of the last CEO Conference the Satell Institute held on June 24th. As part of our breakout group of CEO leaders, I had the opportunity to meet Reverend Patricia Neale from Feast of Justice. During the introductions, she mentioned that they needed help with various projects in their efforts to feed the hungry in Philadelphia. As we were wrapping up the meeting, I offered my contact info to both Reverend Neale and to the CEO of Cradle to Crayons, Michal Smith, who also expressed a need for help and offered to work towards getting some of our Scouts to lend a hand. Well, Reverend Neale reached out to me, and I am very happy to report that our respective program teams have had a meeting and the following is the update report from my team lead in Philadelphia:
“Jon and I had a great meeting with the Pastor and Abby from Feast of Justice. We found out that the Feast of Justice operates out of Saint John’s church and Scout Troop 155 is chartered by St. John. Jon will be maintaining the relationship with Feast of Justice and will bring them into the Roosevelt District network. We discussed some of the following ways of support:
- Using Feast of Justice as a site for Eagle Scout projects. (Jon is setting up with the Pastor for something in August)
- Sending small groups to help unload food truck deliveries
- Assisting in preparing food boxes for distributions
- Supporting their food pantry with donations (Scouting for food donation site in Roosevelt)
This will be an ongoing partnership and she was happy that you made the connection with them.”
While there is still much more work to get done, this new partnership would not have happened were it not for the Satell Institute and PECO’s sponsorship of the Cradle of Liberty Council’s participation in it. I just wanted to share with you how your great work at nurturing relationships among the nonprofit agencies is directly impacting our ability to do more together to make our communities a better place for all of us to live. I look forward to sharing more great updates in the future. Thank you again for your visionary leadership of this amazing institute and to PECO for sponsoring the Cradle of Liberty Council’s involvement.
Dan added: “The Cradle of Liberty Council is ready, willing, and able to discuss partnerships with any agency looking to work collaboratively to better the lives of all people in Philadelphia, Delaware and Montgomery Counties”.
INSPIRING! BUT A BASIC QUESTION REMAINS.
How do they best create and develop more donor support to their nonprofits so they can meet the desperate needs of many in the community? One way is to encourage friends, neighbors and relatives who have not suffered from the pandemic period to actionably help with $1,000 to $5,000 gifts or more to a nonprofit with which they feel an alignment and desire to establish a relationship. This is the way citizen participation actively supports communities.
The Institute thanks our generous corporate and foundation Members whose long-term commitment to their nonprofit partners is doing so much good for the greater community.
To read the New York Times Article mentioned above, click
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/24/business/economy/nonprofits-coronavirus-economy.html
The Satell Institute Continues to
Welcome New Members
Membership at SI continues to grow with great companies and private business donors and foundations choosing to support CSR locally with initiatives of their choice.
Retail Sites
Satell is delighted to welcome Retail Sites to its membership. Led by seasoned commercial real estate developer and investor, President Robert Hill, Retail Sites brings the vital dual competencies of developer and broker to provide tailored service for retail businesses. As our region works to recover and return to public life, the stability of quality retail locations is important. With 600,000 square feet of retail space and 200 freestanding locations in multiple states, the company applies a team approach focused on accomplishing business goals.
The integration of teamwork into its core business model makes Retail Site an ideal member, given SI’s mantra ― “Think WE, not me”.
The company’s commitment to teamwork is evident in their generous support of both UrbanPromise and USA Track & Field Foundation.
Both organization’s reflect Retail Sites commitment to excellence: UrbanPromise works to equip Camden’s children and young adults with the skills necessary for academic achievement, life management, spiritual growth, and Christian leadership and USA Track & Field Foundation assists youth & emerging elite athletes to perform and function to the best of their abilities, both on and off the field.
This commitment to high quality programs that attract diverse ethnic and socio-economic youth and that promote character building, education, active healthy and drug free behaviors undergirds all that Satell stands for. By taking responsibility for creating a strong community, we all thrive.