As the disrupting impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has changed the world for ever, mission-driven organizations are facing some very tough decisions ahead. While there is no doubt that emergency or disaster financial support is crucial, it is only a temporary solution and not a panacea. Numerous organizations in this sector have been on survival mode even before this crisis and managed to buy time and sugarcoated their problems.
To paraphrase Rahm Emanuel, organizations never want a serious crisis to go to waste. They should grab the opportunity to do things they never thought were possible. Meaningful and relevant impact is conditioned by their capacity and willingness to take drastic measures such as restructuring, cutting costs, changing or closing programs, to name just a few, as well as thinking creatively about the future such as engaging in partnerships and sharing resources.
Together with our partners at the Inland Empire Community Collaborative, we selected a few suggestions for immediate steps that mission-driven organizations should consider as they are rethinking their strategies and plans.
