The Context

When COVID-19 roared into the United States in early 2020, its effects were felt not only by those who became ill but also by the nonprofit organizations who are dedicated to serving those who are vulnerable. In order to ensure that organizations like the United Way of Central Ohio (UWCO) and the Human Service Chamber (HSC) had the information they needed to inform their efforts to support those nonprofit organizations (and ultimately, those community members who are served by those nonprofit organizations), Illuminology designed and conducted a series of surveys of nonprofit leadership.

The Critical Question

What operational and programmatic challenges are facing nonprofit organizations as they rapidly adapt to the social and economic fallout from the COVID-19 crisis? What supports, materials, and expertise do they need from the larger community?

Our Solution

Working in partnership with UWCO and HSC, Illuminology rapidly created a series of survey questionnaires, programmed them for online delivery, and distributed them electronically to nonprofit leaders. After quickly and accurately analyzing the results, a series of easy-to-read, infographic-style reports were created for distribution to the broader community. For example, see this report from April 2020 as well as this report from May 2020.

Illumination

Although most nonprofit organizations quickly pivoted to delivering more of their services virtually in a social-distanced world, significant challenges remained after that pivot. Nonprofit leaders needed the aid and expertise of those in the professional business community, particularly with information technology, strategic planning, and human resources. At a more mundane (but necessary!) level, nonprofit leaders often needed assistance obtaining critical personal protective equipment (PPE). And nearly all organizations needed supplemental funding to ride out this storm.

Resolution

These research efforts provided the United Way of Central Ohio and the Human Service Chamber with the information and insights they needed to advocate for needed assistance. Local media picked up different pieces of the story that the United Way of Central Ohio, the Human Service Chamber of Franklin County, and Illuminology shared with the public. For example, Columbus Business First’s coverage focused on how many nonprofits are making greater use of online or telephone platforms to deliver their services, while WBNS 10TV’s coverage focused on lost revenues due to cancelled fundraisers.