The “New Normal”: GFD Partners Respond To COVID-19

During the COVID-19 pandemic, charity organizations face unprecedented fundraising challenges. In addition to an unstable economy, charity professionals are no longer able to safely speak with donors face-to-face— at least not in the capacity in which they did prior. Fundraising events, one-on-one meetings with major donors, and F2F fundraising have come to a halt due to strict social distancing guidelines.

For large events, this has meant the outright cancellation or pivot toward virtual solutions. For face-to-face fundraising, this has meant a full pause in operations– something implemented as of March 16, 2020. While fundraising is essential, it’s equally essential to reduce the spread of COVID-19 while doing so.

At Globalfaces Direct, we understand that charities can’t fade into the background— in fact, they need to be more focused on their mission than ever before. We’ve been monitoring the crisis and have taken swift action to ensure our fundraisers can conduct their mission in the safest manner possible once canvassing can resume.

We’re incorporating essential recommendations from public health experts, including frequent hand washing and 2-metre social distancing guidelines, into our fundraising strategy for as long as necessary. GFD is prepared for the “new normal” of F2F fundraising to ensure safety in the wake of COVID-19.

To explore our COVID-19 fundraising response, which ensures our fundraisers will be operating in the safest manner possible once F2F fundraising can resume, visit this page.

In the meantime, we’ve been inspired by the work of our charity partners. These organizations are going above-and-beyond as they respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, and we’ve decided to highlight a few of these responses below.

LEARN HOW OUR TRUSTED NONPROFIT PARTNERS ARE RESPONDING TO THE CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK:

SickKids Foundation

“Families, friends and members of the public: please avoid coming to SickKids if your presence is not essential to the care of a patient who is currently at the hospital.”

Because SickKids is a pediatric hospital, they must be especially ardent when it comes to preventative measures. These measures include limiting the clinical activities to urgent procedures, incorporating virtual care, and screening all patients and accompanying family members at hospital entry points. They are restricting entry to one caregiver per patient to limit the spread of COVID-19, as well as pausing all volunteer activities.

Learn more about SickKids’ response.

Plan International Canada

“We all play a role in keeping our communities safe & healthy. Here in Canada, and around the world, we are taking the necessary precautions to stop the spread of coronavirus disease.”

Plan International Canada works to advance children’s rights around the world, specifically when it comes to equality for girls. They’re taking precautions to stop the spread of COVID-19 while continuing to pursue this essential mission. These precautions include creating a COVID-19 task force to monitor the issue, canceling international travel, creating a work-from-home policy, and created business continuity plans— ensuring their work for girls around the world is maintained.

Learn more about Plan International Canada’s response.

UNICEF USA

“In any humanitarian emergency, UNICEF puts children first. UNICEF’s response to the coronavirus pandemic is no different.”

UNICEF’s mission is directly impacted by COVID-19, in that their services are essential on the front lines of this crisis. UNICEF USA’s coronavirus response is focused on protecting children, who are often most at risk during crises due to inadequate healthcare, nutrition, and particularly with COVID-19— a pause in education. Their response includes sending crucial medical supplies to affected communities to prevent further spread, advising parents on monitoring children’s health while maintaining education, and even disinfecting school buildings.

Learn more about Unicef USA’s response.

USA for UNHCR

“Preventing or delaying outbreaks, particularly among the most vulnerable, is the most important action we can take right now.”

UNHCR provides aid to a population that many may overlook during a worldwide pandemic— refugees. The organization recognizes that many refugees currently live in countries with weaker healthcare systems, and that they’re at risk of being hit by COVID-19 harder than most. UNHCR believes preparation is key and has been stockpiling essential medicines, hygiene essentials, and medical equipment to distribute. Further, they’ve created outbreak response plans, trained healthcare workers in settlement sites, and closely monitored any movement restrictions that could affect refugees.

Learn more about USA for UNHCR’s response.

Feed the Children

“I want you to know that we are taking action to ensure that our neighbors aren’t forgotten.”

COVID-19 is affecting children in a unique manner, canceling school sessions that often accompanied necessary nutrition for kids in need. Feed the Children is continuing it’s essential efforts to provide meals to food-insecure families, collecting donations via their website and encouraging kindness all around. Whether giving to Feed the Children or simply purchasing a grocery store gift card for a family in need in your community, this organization recognizes that banding together is essential during this crisis.

Learn more about Feed the Children’s response.

CAMH

“The COVID-19 pandemic can cause stress and anxiety because it is disrupting normal life for many people all at once.”

The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health recognizes the unique challenges presented to its patients. Each day, upsetting pandemic news is released as the crisis evolves and with that comes a new wave of stress and anxiety for those paying attention. Plus, with social distancing and #StayatHome guidelines encouraging isolation– these mental health challenges are suddenly a very solitary affair. Similar to other hospitals, CAMH is taking steps to protect patients including limiting visitors and actively screening all entrants. What’s most impressive, however, is the hospital’s website, where it’s maintaining an information hub on managing anxiety during COVID-19.

Learn more about CAMH’s response.

Globalfaces Direct is proud to work with partners with strong COVID-19 response strategies. To learn more about Globalfaces Direct and our COVID-19 response, continue reading here.