Welcome to our nonprofit HELP CENTER! We'll be keeping this page full of resources to help you and your nonprofit navigate the difficult environment Covid-19 has created in our community. On this page, you'll find links to articles, how-tos, blogs, videos and more that will help you navigate the difficult situations you find yourself encountering including keeping staff engaged, moving to a remote workforce, how to update your donors, cancellation of fundraisers, being a strong leader in the face of adversity, and more!
If you know of additional resources that should be shared here, please let us know!
To make it easier for you to find the new items being added...you'll find a * in front of today's new additions.
If you know of additional resources that should be shared here, please let us know!
To make it easier for you to find the new items being added...you'll find a * in front of today's new additions.
LOCAL RESOURCES
*McHenry County Community COVID-19 Response Fund
The Community Foundation for McHenry County and the United Way of Greater McHenry County have joined together to create a fund designed to help nonprofits during this difficult time. Our nonprofits are experiencing a surge in demand for services from neighbors and communities significantly impacted by the coronavirus outbreak. It's critical that these organizations have the resources they need to continue to operate at the highest capacity. Your donation will support these agencies. Learn more and donate now...
*Resources for Residents
McHenry County has launched a web page with coronavirus resources for its residents. It includes links and phone numbers of area hospitals and health centers, mental health resources, the nonprofits that may be able to help with mortgage, rent, utility, food and other forms of assistance. You can find it here http://www.mchenrycountyil.gov/covid19resources.
VOLUNTEER NEEDS
Volunteers
Looking for volunteers? VCMC can help you help get the word out. Simple go to volunteer portal and post your need(s). If you need help, don't hesitate to reach out. We can even get your volunteer needs posted for you! Simply email the details to info@volunteercentermchenrycounty.org or call 815-344-4483.
Volunteer Center, Northwest Herald and Patch Partnership
The NWHerald, Patch.com and VCMC are now partnering to get volunteer needs out to the community. You should begin seeing links to VCMC's local volunteer needs on Wednesday, March 25 on their various publication platforms and formats.
IN-KIND DONATIONS
In-Kind Donations Needed
If your nonprofit has specific in-kind donations it is looking for post them on our needs portal. Once posted, we will help spread the word through our social and digital channels. If you need help getting things posted, send us an email with the details to info@volunteercentermchenrycounty.org or call 815-344-4483.
GRANTS
Grant Research
Do you need help doing grant research? Volunteer Center can help---we can do grant research for you. Send us a brief description of what type of support you are looking for to kristi@volunteercentermchenrycounty.org.
WEBINARS
General
Covid-19, the Economy, and the Nonprofit World (FREE)
March 26, 3:30 PM Eastern Time
The Chronicle of Philanthropy | As the outbreak of the coronavirus upends all aspects of nonprofit work, leaders need to look ahead to how they can best care for their organization, staff, and donors. This interactive session will feature a panel of experts who will provide the latest on how nonprofits, foundations and donors are responding to the emergency and adapting to new circumstances. Attendees can ask questions, share advice, and provide support to one another...
Working Remotely
Working remote with kids… without losing your mind (FREE)
Journity, Chad Williams, CEO of Five Q & Journity | Learn what’s different about managing remote teams, habits to stay productive and not lose your mind, what to do with the kids, key resources for working remotely, and more.
ARTICLES
General
Coronavirus & Nonprofits: Resources for Responding to COVID-19
WiredImpact.com, Katy Teson | If you’re looking for the latest advice, here's over 100 links to the latest articles to help, including information about official guidelines, operations and HR, fundraising, event management, marketing and communications, nonprofit tools, nonprofits in the news and state and regional resources.
CDC Foundation Has COVID-19 Guidelines For Nonprofits
The Nonprofit Times, Judy Monroe, MD | While global health and governmental agencies grapple with how best to fight the new coronavirus, nonprofits worldwide are scrambling to figure out what steps they should take and how they can be helpful...
Communications
*Covid-19 and Media Relations: A Quick Guide for Nonprofit Communicators
NonprofitMarketingGuide.com, Kivi Leroux Miller | Covid-19 is quickly rewriting the rules for how all of us are approaching our communications. It's also forcing all nonprofits, no matter the mission, to rethink their short-term media relations strategies. Here are five tips to consider...
*How to be Relevant Now (And What Not to Say)
NonprofitMarketingGuide.com, Kivi Leroux Miller | Nonprofit communicators are full of anxiety right now about messaging, from what to say, to how often, and where to say it. Let’s get two common questions out the way . . .
What to Say to Your Supporters Right Now
NonprofitPro.com, Otis Fulton and Katrina VanHuss | What’s the appropriate language for me to use? Is it crass to fundraise now?
Fundraising
COVID-19 Amplifies the Need for Social Fundraising
NonprofitPro.com, Michael Wasserman | Ultimately, if charities are going to connect with current and future donors, organizations need to start meeting them where they are.
8 Things to Re-Evaluate in Crowdfunding Campaigns in This Climate
NonprofitPro.com, Moshe Hecht | ...My prediction is that despite all apparent setbacks, we will see a great uptick in crowdfunding campaigns. However, to be successful, we will need to re-evaluate the best practices to keep your campaigns strong in the current climate.
Nonprofits Unleashed Facebook Group
Get all your questions answered from 15,000+ of your nonprofit peers by joining the Nonprofits Unleashed Facebook Group for weekly Facebook Live sessions. Join here!
Fundraising Amidst a Global Pandemic
NonprofitPro.com, Craig Depole | This past week, news of the spread of coronavirus and of turbulent financial markets has dominated the air space. As crises like these take center stage, focus on our organizations' missions can often take a back seat.
Experts Urge Charities to Communicate Their Needs Clearly to Their Donors
The Chronicle of Philanthropy, Maria Di Mento | As the coronavirus quickly spreads across the country, many donors are unsure how to step in and help.
Encourage Monthly Giving During Uncertain Times
NonprofitPro.com, Erica Waasdorp | There was always a struggle between short-term and long-term income. Get more one-time gifts or focus on generating more monthly donors, providing that long-term sustainable money so needed.
Working Remotely
How To Facilitate Effective Virtual Meetings
Beth's Blog, Beth Kanter | Practical advice and guidance on how to hold an effective virtual meeting that everyone can access and checks things off your agenda.
*McHenry County Community COVID-19 Response Fund
The Community Foundation for McHenry County and the United Way of Greater McHenry County have joined together to create a fund designed to help nonprofits during this difficult time. Our nonprofits are experiencing a surge in demand for services from neighbors and communities significantly impacted by the coronavirus outbreak. It's critical that these organizations have the resources they need to continue to operate at the highest capacity. Your donation will support these agencies. Learn more and donate now...
*Resources for Residents
McHenry County has launched a web page with coronavirus resources for its residents. It includes links and phone numbers of area hospitals and health centers, mental health resources, the nonprofits that may be able to help with mortgage, rent, utility, food and other forms of assistance. You can find it here http://www.mchenrycountyil.gov/covid19resources.
VOLUNTEER NEEDS
Volunteers
Looking for volunteers? VCMC can help you help get the word out. Simple go to volunteer portal and post your need(s). If you need help, don't hesitate to reach out. We can even get your volunteer needs posted for you! Simply email the details to info@volunteercentermchenrycounty.org or call 815-344-4483.
Volunteer Center, Northwest Herald and Patch Partnership
The NWHerald, Patch.com and VCMC are now partnering to get volunteer needs out to the community. You should begin seeing links to VCMC's local volunteer needs on Wednesday, March 25 on their various publication platforms and formats.
IN-KIND DONATIONS
In-Kind Donations Needed
If your nonprofit has specific in-kind donations it is looking for post them on our needs portal. Once posted, we will help spread the word through our social and digital channels. If you need help getting things posted, send us an email with the details to info@volunteercentermchenrycounty.org or call 815-344-4483.
GRANTS
Grant Research
Do you need help doing grant research? Volunteer Center can help---we can do grant research for you. Send us a brief description of what type of support you are looking for to kristi@volunteercentermchenrycounty.org.
WEBINARS
General
Covid-19, the Economy, and the Nonprofit World (FREE)
March 26, 3:30 PM Eastern Time
The Chronicle of Philanthropy | As the outbreak of the coronavirus upends all aspects of nonprofit work, leaders need to look ahead to how they can best care for their organization, staff, and donors. This interactive session will feature a panel of experts who will provide the latest on how nonprofits, foundations and donors are responding to the emergency and adapting to new circumstances. Attendees can ask questions, share advice, and provide support to one another...
Working Remotely
Working remote with kids… without losing your mind (FREE)
Journity, Chad Williams, CEO of Five Q & Journity | Learn what’s different about managing remote teams, habits to stay productive and not lose your mind, what to do with the kids, key resources for working remotely, and more.
ARTICLES
General
Coronavirus & Nonprofits: Resources for Responding to COVID-19
WiredImpact.com, Katy Teson | If you’re looking for the latest advice, here's over 100 links to the latest articles to help, including information about official guidelines, operations and HR, fundraising, event management, marketing and communications, nonprofit tools, nonprofits in the news and state and regional resources.
CDC Foundation Has COVID-19 Guidelines For Nonprofits
The Nonprofit Times, Judy Monroe, MD | While global health and governmental agencies grapple with how best to fight the new coronavirus, nonprofits worldwide are scrambling to figure out what steps they should take and how they can be helpful...
Communications
*Covid-19 and Media Relations: A Quick Guide for Nonprofit Communicators
NonprofitMarketingGuide.com, Kivi Leroux Miller | Covid-19 is quickly rewriting the rules for how all of us are approaching our communications. It's also forcing all nonprofits, no matter the mission, to rethink their short-term media relations strategies. Here are five tips to consider...
*How to be Relevant Now (And What Not to Say)
NonprofitMarketingGuide.com, Kivi Leroux Miller | Nonprofit communicators are full of anxiety right now about messaging, from what to say, to how often, and where to say it. Let’s get two common questions out the way . . .
What to Say to Your Supporters Right Now
NonprofitPro.com, Otis Fulton and Katrina VanHuss | What’s the appropriate language for me to use? Is it crass to fundraise now?
Fundraising
COVID-19 Amplifies the Need for Social Fundraising
NonprofitPro.com, Michael Wasserman | Ultimately, if charities are going to connect with current and future donors, organizations need to start meeting them where they are.
8 Things to Re-Evaluate in Crowdfunding Campaigns in This Climate
NonprofitPro.com, Moshe Hecht | ...My prediction is that despite all apparent setbacks, we will see a great uptick in crowdfunding campaigns. However, to be successful, we will need to re-evaluate the best practices to keep your campaigns strong in the current climate.
Nonprofits Unleashed Facebook Group
Get all your questions answered from 15,000+ of your nonprofit peers by joining the Nonprofits Unleashed Facebook Group for weekly Facebook Live sessions. Join here!
Fundraising Amidst a Global Pandemic
NonprofitPro.com, Craig Depole | This past week, news of the spread of coronavirus and of turbulent financial markets has dominated the air space. As crises like these take center stage, focus on our organizations' missions can often take a back seat.
Experts Urge Charities to Communicate Their Needs Clearly to Their Donors
The Chronicle of Philanthropy, Maria Di Mento | As the coronavirus quickly spreads across the country, many donors are unsure how to step in and help.
Encourage Monthly Giving During Uncertain Times
NonprofitPro.com, Erica Waasdorp | There was always a struggle between short-term and long-term income. Get more one-time gifts or focus on generating more monthly donors, providing that long-term sustainable money so needed.
Working Remotely
How To Facilitate Effective Virtual Meetings
Beth's Blog, Beth Kanter | Practical advice and guidance on how to hold an effective virtual meeting that everyone can access and checks things off your agenda.
