Nonprofits Can Help Stay The Course

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Oct 1, 2001

Our prayers are with those who are suffering because of the attacks on America.

We are trying to return to normal. Flags at U.S. buildings and military installations were restored to full staff on September 23, symbolically ending our national period of mourning. Sports and entertainment events have resumed. Television networks and local stations have returned to their usual schedules, as have most businesses. Even so, our lives will never be the same. Normal will take on a new meaning.

National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice spoke succinctly and forcefully about getting on with our lives when she said: “We must be vigilant, patient, cooperative, sensitive, and remain who we are.”

Nonprofits have fully engaged the challenge of helping in this crisis. Besides incalculable amounts of time, goods, and services, hundreds of millions of dollars have been contributed through thousands of nonprofits all over the world. There is some concern that the intense focus on the crisis will take contributions from the important work of nonprofits not directly involved in the disaster relief.

The American Association of Fundraising Counsel (AAFRC), a group of consulting firms, offers suggestions for nonprofits to continue to fulfill their regular missions.

1. Recognize what your volunteers and donors may be thinking right now.

2. Don’t cancel or postpone planned activities unless there are truly valid reasons for doing so.

3. Don’t interrupt your organization’s direct mail and telemarketing cycles.

4. Don’t stop planning or fundraising to meet critical needs.

Details of these suggestions are at http://www.aafrc.org/press4.html

Here is something all of us can do: Go to a store and buy something. "Do your Christmas shopping now," said New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani.

It will be difficult for us to get back to normal, even for those who are geographically far from Ground Zero. Yet, after the shock, the pain, the mourning, we must go on. We will go on. We will be stronger and greater.

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