These are challenging times for us all. For many nonprofits, Covid-19 ushers in a time of crisis that will critically impact their ability to serve our community. For the nonprofit leader, it is a time to take action to ensure their capability to continue doing good and making an impact, yet many are hampered right now by the lack of reserves to do so.

Recently Tony Fleo, CEO, Social Venture Partners (SVP) Dallas, convened four of Dallas’s most impactful philanthropic leaders:

  • Roslyn Dawson Thompson, President & CEO, Texas Women’s Foundation,
  • Matthew Randazzo, President & CEO, The Dallas Foundation,
  • Jennifer Sampson, McDermott-Templeton President & CEO, United Way of Metropolitan Dallas and
  • David Scullin, President & CEO, Communities Foundation of Texas,

to talk about the funding challenges this crisis presents today and in the future.

As David Scullin said, “Our grant-making process will never be the same.”

The issues right now with many nonprofits are critical. Many do not have the resources to serve their clients, much less to ride out this crisis. It was heartwarming to hear these leaders talk about how they are being flexible in this time of need; and how as grantors they are committed to provide funding and resources.

As grantors they are taking a heretofore unprecedented step, that of freeing up previously encumbered funds to meet their nonprofit grantees present needs. Funds that were once restricted are being made available. Being flexible may mean temporarily suspending their normal grantmaking process.

All four leaders agreed they do not know what the new normal will be. The go-forward playbook will be dramatically different.

Americans give generously with passion and purpose to the over 1.5 million nonprofits in the U.S; 24,000 alone in North Texas. Nonprofits provide 4.66% of our gross domestic product (GDP) yet too often they operate day to day, with barely enough resources to keep the doors open even in good times.

So, let’s hope Jennifer Sampson’s prediction comes true, “In a time of crisis we have to keep an eye on the future… we’re going to come out of this on the other side.”