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There is a longstanding truth in the nonprofit world : The harder times are , the more your services are needed .
Nonprofits , however , are not immune to the operational challenges posed by the pandemic , including how to deliver services , keep staff safe and raise money in a socially distanced world . Money from the federal CARES Act , grants and private donations have helped nonprofits survive , but what has truly enabled them to soldier on in a time of vital need is a combination of perseverance , collaboration and an unwavering commitment to their missions .
In the days before the pandemic , an average of 625 seniors would congregate daily at 20 sites across Sacramento County for free nutritious lunches and some healthy social interaction . As stay-at-home orders were imposed and COVID-19 fears rippled through vulnerable communities , the number of lunches served quickly ballooned to over 1,300 meals — and instead of being served at a handful of locations , they all now had to be delivered to the seniors ’ homes .
Meals on Wheels by ACC , which provided the daily lunches , had to quickly pivot to meet the new demand . Partnerships with local restaurants , delivery services and other local nonprofits has enabled them to keep seniors fed , Executive Director Kevin McAllister says , while also building a stronger organization for the future . “ We ’ ve achieved things we never knew we could achieve ,” McAllister says .
With the pandemic causing confusion and panic among small business owners , the Sacramento Hispanic Chamber of Commerce mobilized to help local businesses navigate loan and assistance programs offered by the City of Sacramento as well as the state and federal government . “ We certainly weren ’ t going to turn anyone away , whether they were a member or not ,” says Cathy Rodriguez Aguirre , the SACHCC ’ s president and CEO . Working in partnership with the Sacramento Inclusive Economic Development Collaborative , the Chamber sent promotores , or business navigators , into the community armed with tablets that enabled business owners to apply for assistance on the spot . But what
“ What we ’ ve found , now more than ever , is that it is so important to be able to effectively share your story and to share your needs . If you do that in a concise and meaningful manner , I think people in the Sacramento community really are generous .”
Todd Koolakian Director of Philanthropy , Sacramento Children ’ s Home
the promotores weren ’ t carrying were membership applications .
“ That wasn ’ t our focus ,” says Rodriguez Aguirre . “ Our focus is really how to get these small businesses to understand the resources available to them through our organization or other organizations .”
Nonprofits often rely on one or more major events to raise funds and tell their stories . Rodriguez Aguirre says the SACHCC was able to squeeze in its biggest fundraiser just before everything shut down last March , but many of her colleagues weren ’ t as fortunate . The Sacramento Children ’ s Home was just one of the many local nonprofits that had to cancel its biggest in-person fundraising event .
“ A lot of what we ’ re doing now is meeting with donors virtually ,” says Todd Koolakian , director of philanthropy for Sacramento Children ’ s Home , which has a staff of nearly 250 people and is now in its 154th year of providing child and family support services to the community . His organization has faced rising operational costs from pandemic-related needs such as personal protective equipment and sanitizers . Staff needs have also grown because kids in the residential program who would normally be in school are now at the Children ’ s Home all day .
Despite the lack of traditional highly visible fundraising events , Koolakian says donors are continuing to step up . “ It isn ’ t whether they could get a benefit from a sponsorship ,” he says . “ It was about them wanting to support our impact in the community . What we ’ ve found , now more than ever , is that it is so important to be able to effectively share your story and to share your needs . If you do that in a concise and meaningful manner , I think people in the Sacramento community really are generous . They are looking to support organizations like ours to the best of their ability .”
Kitten Central of Placer County cancelled its annual A Labor of Love fundraiser last year and has already done the same for 2021 . Hidden in a remote area of Placer County , Kitten Central fills a unique niche by providing medical care to kittens from newborn to 28 days old . Their efforts , in coordination with clients such as Placer County Animal Services and Happy Tails , have helped hundreds of kittens that otherwise might have been euthanized find loving homes .
Well over 600 kittens were treated at Kitten Central last year by volunteers and part-time staff . When the county shelter shut down , Placer County Animal Services
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