By Assunta Ng
Northwest Asia Weekly
A study by the University of Washington (UW) showed the losses suffered by non-profit organizations during the pandemic.
Organizing fundraising events has become impossible, and personal donations have decreased. However, some organizations have bucked the trend. Not only did they survive, but they also innovated and embarked on a more ambitious journey.
Surprisingly, these organizations are so flexible—allowing their organizations to transform to meet the challenges and increase funding and services to meet their needs.
Raise large sums of money
Homestead Community Land Trust Project Willowcrest Building A (Photo courtesy of Homestead)
Homestead Community Land Trust is located in the Chinatown International District (CID) and builds houses, townhouses and apartments for low-income families at an affordable cost.
Unlike the previous fundraising dinner with a goal of no more than US$100,000 and 200 guests, Homestand started its largest fundraising event in May 2019 with a goal of US$1.2 million.
Recently, despite the pandemic, it has raised more than $1 million.
Homestead Community Land Trust project, Willowcrest kitchen (photo courtesy of Homestead)
How does Homestead do it? Homestead does not call it a capital movement, but instead calls it a volume movement. Funds raised will also include personnel expansion. Its fundraising focuses on personal donations, sponsorships and companies. Now, it mainly contacts potential donors through phone calls, virtual conversations and meetings.
Donors support Homestead for a variety of reasons. First, it has a record of building 222 houses and is currently building more than 100 houses in Jin County. Homestead’s biggest selling point is its products. Donors like what they see.
Executive Director Kathleen Hosfeld said: “These houses are environmentally friendly. In terms of environment and sustainability, they far exceed today’s expectations.”
Increase funding and virtual activities
In the past 18 months, many non-profit organizations have received large amounts of funds from federal, state, county, and city sources to fight COVID and maintain the safety of our communities.
CEO Teresita Batayola said: “With the increase in funding, the International Community Health Service (ICHS) has been able to actively test and vaccinate our communities, which are disproportionately affected by COVID-19.” “We can also use social media. And the upcoming youth summit will actively resolve the problem of vaccine hesitation. Without funds, ICHS will not be able to complete the work on COVID-19.”
Take the University of Washington as an example-it has received millions of dollars in research funding to fight the virus.
New sources of funding have also changed the way organizations raise funds. Some people decide not to conduct on-site fundraising activities because they are time-consuming and inefficient, while others have raised more funds through new virtual forms.
According to philanthropist Jerry Lee, a virtual golf tournament has raised more than $100,000 for breast cancer research for two consecutive years.
Eliminating food and venue costs means more revenue. It also minimizes the manpower associated with face-to-face activities as well as unnecessary hassle and logistics work.
The increased funding is reflected in the number of new job vacancies in these organizations.
Zoom innovation
The CISC Zoom conference was conducted in Cantonese, Mandarin, and Vietnamese with other partners. (Photo courtesy of Michael Itty)
With the help of Zoom, some organizations have launched online courses and seminars.
Executive Director Michael Itti said that the China Information and Service Center (CISC) has organized more than 200 virtual courses to promote the health and social well-being of the elderly. It “has purchased and distributed nearly 100 iPads to low-income seniors to participate in activities such as fitness, art, healthy living, technology, and English courses.”
Another organization, OneWorld Now, has launched online language courses (available in Korean, Mandarin, Arabic and Russian) and leadership seminars for high school students. Executive director Jordan Goldwarg said that these courses allow them to reach not only local students, but also students across the country, including rural areas where teenagers cannot take such courses.
Implement new ideas
Online Chinese class (provided by Jordan Goldwarg)
In January 2020, the telemedicine capability of ICHS was zero. Batayola said, but within two months, with the support of local foundations and other donors, elderly people can use tablets so they can communicate with providers to fight quarantine and manage their chronic health conditions.
ICHS also uses its mobile dental clinic to run temporary flu clinics (before the COVID vaccine is available), temporary testing and temporary vaccination clinics.
Establish new partnerships
ICHS has established a close network with CID non-profit organizations and volunteers to resolve suspected COVID cases (starting from the International House very early), coordinate the delivery of food and necessities to the elderly and families, and organize community-based testing and vaccines Vaccination sites, including pop-up shops that cooperate with non-profit organizations, companies, temples, and churches.
This is why the number of CID COVID cases is low compared to other communities.
CISC has established an anti-hate and anti-bias team to deal with the rise of anti-Asian hatred. It also joined the Coalition Against Hatred and Prejudice, which includes six other community members and is supported by the King County Office of Equity and Social Justice. As a member of the alliance, community members can report incidents of hatred and prejudice to CISC, and obtain information, recommendations, and support. The data collected is used to raise public officials’ awareness and develop strategies to address areas of concern.
Assunta can be reached assunta@nwasianweekly.com.
