Unless you have been living under a rock for the last 3 months, your life has most likely been affected directly or indirectly by this unprecedented Global Health Crisis.
As the new coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic travels worldwide and across communities, charitable organizations are tasked with ensuring safe operations while still carrying out their missions—and, in many cases, increasing their workload.
While global health and governmental agencies cope with how best to fight the coronavirus (COVID-19), charitable organizations worldwide are busy figuring out how to proceed or be helpful during this period of uncertainty.
Leaders of Charitable organizations already dedicated to support their community can play a pivotal role at this critical time especially within the Black Community. COVID-19 has become a subject matter that we collectively must take very seriously while taking comprehensive and coordinated action to address it.
What can organization leaders do in this time of uncertainty and concern?
Here are 5 initiatives that leaders of all charitable organizations and philanthropists should consider.
1 – Stay informed. Search for accurate and official information guidelines from your respective local government agencies.
Canada – Public Health Agency
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19.html
USA – Center for Disease Control (CDC)
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html
UK – Government Resource Center
https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
Africa – Government Resource Center
https://www.afro.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus-covid-19
International Agency – World Health Organization
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
2 – Broadcast and Share information to your community networks. Use your voice in the community to communicate and share important guidelines. Post, repost or share important up-to-date information on your Social Media channels and your website to keep people informed and engaged. This is also a good opportunity to share some inspirational content to keep people together and thinking positively.
3 – Implement “COVID-19” good practices for your activities. If it is possible, adapt your planned activities to comply with the guidelines of Social/Physical Distancing by going virtual using online social tools (webinars, live broadcasts) or by phone using conference calls and facetime capabilities.
There are countless free tools and apps available to host meetings or events for your supporters and volunteers from Zoom, Slack, Skype, WhatsApp, Facebook Live, Instagram Live, etc.
4 – Organize and coordinate a customized response based on your specific Mission & Vision. Brainstorm and find new creative ways to assist those in need. Create a platform (online, support line, donation box) where community members can ask questions or still get the help they need.
Ex: if you care for seniors, help organize volunteers to gather essentials and groceries for them. If you care for at risk youth, organize a call for parents or youth to provide support.
5 – Collaborate with peer organizations. A collective response is needed to meet the rapidly evolving needs of COVID-19. Charitable organizations as well as philanthropists have greater positive impact and can accomplish more collectively than individually. This is a great time and great way to collaborate with other organizations in a safe way to increase and broaden the impact and share resources.
Do a search in your neighborhood, city or county for potential organizations (check out our online directory) with a mission that overlaps or complements yours. Or let other organizations know that you are looking to collaborate to assist the community as resources are limited right now.
As many charitable organizations in the black community already contribute to the Physical, Mental Health and Wellness of our community, the worldwide charitable community has the opportunity to support them and others affected by the COVID-19 outbreak by providing accurate information and working with the public health community to find innovative ways to offer support.
This unfortunate situation offers a unique opportunity for our people to demonstrate the resiliency, kindness or generosity of Black people while coming together for a common good and to elevate our community.
Be the voice in your community!