In late March when the COVID-19 pandemic was still in its early weeks, ABNN conducted a flash survey to gain early insights into what nonprofits were experiencing and what they anticipated over the coming weeks. Now, three months later and as we start to see restriction ease, nonprofits are gaining a clearer view of the challenges and opportunities facing their organizations. To better understand the changing landscape, ABNN conducted a pulse check survey in mid-June. The results are summarized in Pulse Check Survey Report which can be found on our Covid-19 Impact Reports Page.   

The report discusses top concerns, as well as the financial uncertainties that now face the sector. What the survey results also show is that nonprofits are finding that the path to recovery is a dance of interdependencies. They struggle to make independent decisions when a host of decisions and actions owned by others can delay, defer or potentially derail their own plans. 

As nonprofits look to the future and how we may recover and even redefine our sector, ABNN believes that data, dialogue and advocacy will be critical. We recommend ongoing check-ins/surveys of Alberta’s nonprofits and charities so that we can understand and share current and changing impacts. We also believe that it is important to engage/survey funders and end-users. Sharing information about how nonprofits are adjusting and cross-sector engagement will be a catalyst for healthy, forward-thinking dialogue about what we need do to adapt. 

The now familiar anthem that rose out of this pandemic, “We Are All In This Together”, continues to ring true. Advancing a strong, resilient nonprofit sector will require us to work together to reimagine how we organize ourselves, serve our community and co-create a bold and vibrant future.