The year 2020 has changed the workplace in so many different ways. When everyone was forced to work from home to slow the spread of Covid-19, the idea of companies working entirely remotely didn’t seem so far-fetched. As we start to see the light at the end of the tunnel with this pandemic, there is a chance that remote work may be around to stay. In a lot of ways, this can be a benefit for companies. Your employees can have a better work-life balance without the stress of a structured work week or a long commute, you can utilize all sorts of new online tools you may not have known about before, and you’re now able to connect with clients, team members, and supporters from all across the globe. All of this and more can especially benefit the world of nonprofits.
Nonprofit management is all about connecting the greater public to an important cause. You’re passionate about giving back and making the world that much better of a place to be. Imagine how much you can do from a remote platform that can reach thousands of people. It all comes down to communication and your dedication to your project. As you start to figure out how to run your nonprofit remotely, here are just a few tips to help it be a raging success.
Be able to communicate effectively in multiple ways.
In any organization, communication is key. When you’re operating remotely, this is more important than ever. Running a nonprofit means that you’re constantly in touch with many different people. You need to stay on task with your staff, plan events for the community you’re benefitting, and connect with your donors, sponsors, and supporters. It may be useful to engage some specific tools designed for nonprofit management.
When you’re reaching out asking for donations or getting people excited about an event, your primary tool will usually be email. You need to work to have an engaging campaign that will make people more interested in and committed to your cause. Fortunately, email campaigning tools can help with that. Because they work specifically for nonprofit management, you’ll be able to optimize and engage with different templates to make the process for your supporters as easy as possible.
Of course, email isn’t the only way people may try to get in touch with you. You need to be ready to answer calls and take information over the phone as well. Depending on the size of your organization, it may be useful to employ help with a call center. The significance of call centers for online businesses has been growing as things go remote. In a world with less face-to-face communication, speaking through the phone may be the best and only chance for you to connect with your donors or your benefactors.
Lastly, on the communication front, it’s important that you and your team are all on the same page. Just because you’re remote doesn’t mean you can’t feel connected. Employ goal-tracking software and have weekly check-in meetings via Zoom or other digital platforms. You can still all stay on track in new and engaging ways even if you’re working from different places.
You still have to look the part.
Just because you’re running an organization remotely, you still have formal engagements where you need to look your best. Maybe you’re making a presentation on video rather than in person, but you still have the opportunity to wow a room. Put some effort into your appearance, so people take you seriously. Sure, you can still wear the sweatpants on the bottom half, but put on a nice shirt and some makeup for the camera. Even some quick lash liner and magnetic eyelashes can elevate your appearance. Remember, you want people to take you seriously and donate to your cause. You need to look put together and like someone they can trust.
Keep everything secure.
One of the trickiest parts of working remotely is making sure everyone’s systems are staying secure. Especially if you’re dealing with credit card numbers and personal information, you need to be sure there’s no chance of malware or hackers getting into your systems. It may be time to install security software on your team’s remote servers. MonsterCloud reviews rate them as one of the top cybersecurity programs to help you run any organization without fear or anxiety of getting hacked or attacked by malware.
Still find ways to fundraise.
A huge priority for nonprofits is fundraising. You can’t do the great work you want without the funds to make it happen. Even remotely, you need to think of new, creative ways to hold events and fundraising drives. While you may not be able to host a local charity gala or silent auction night or any of the more traditional fundraising options, you can still come up with remote options. Host a virtual concert, do an online auction instead, or create a digital week of fundraising challenges people can participate in. This is a chance to get creative and try new ways to get people engaged in your company.
Follow all of the official steps.
Managing a remote nonprofit still requires all the official steps of creating an organization. Know all the details of running a business. Consult with a financial planner, and get your specific tax identification number. Register your organization, file the paperwork, create a brand, and all that good stuff. Following the official steps will be even more important to get everyone on the same page from remote locations.
Stick to a strong mission statement.
Nonprofits are all about improving a need in the community and making the world a better and brighter place. That being said, each organization goes about doing this in different ways. Your central goals and ideals for your company can be found in your mission statement.
If you’re starting out as a remote nonprofit or transitioning to that kind of environment, it’s more important than ever to have a strong mission that is widely publicized. This will help people see what you’re all about when they can’t see you face-to-face. This is always a great place to come back to, so you remember why you do what you do.
