Resources + Tools
Information for Maine Nonprofits During COVID-19
MANP is actively monitoring recommendations related to the COVID-19 pandemic and we are in frequent communication with colleagues in Maine, at the National Council of Nonprofits, and at other state nonprofit associations across the country. We will be continually updating this page as a hub of information for Maine nonprofits about how they can respond, connect and contribute.
Our members’ continued support ensures we are able to provide free resources to Maine’s nonprofit sector at this critical time. If you are able, please consider becoming a MANP member. If you are already a member – THANK YOU! We are all stronger when the sector is stronger.
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Reopening
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Financial Relief
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Strategy + Scenario Planning
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Equity + Justice
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Leadership + Boards
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Communications + Fundraising
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Research
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Tools + Technology
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Staff + Volunteers
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Events + Meetings
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Vaccines
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Health + Wellness
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Impacts of COVID-19 on the Nonprofit Sector
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Advice for Nonprofit Leaders + Boards
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COVID-19, Racial Equity, Social Justice, and Transformation
The pandemic is disproportionately affecting communities of color and exacerbating other inequities in our communities. For example, Black Mainers make up over 20% of coronavirus cases, but only 1.6% of the population.
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Staff + Volunteer Management
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Meetings & Events
- Thinking About A Hybrid Event? (Nonprofit Resource Hub)
- The Future Is Hybrid: Preparing for the Next Evolution of Fundraising (NonProfitPro)
- Event Formats in 2020 and Beyond (Nonprofit Hub)
- Accounting for Sponsorship Revenue When Events are Postponed (Sponsored Blog Post by Jitasa on NonprofitMaine Blog, 11/19/20)
- Virtual Events: How Organizations Are Offering Virtual Versions of Festivals, Events and Conferences (Maine Calling, 6/18/20)
- Key planning recommendations for Mass Gatherings in the context of the current COVID-19 outbreak (World Health Organization, 5/29/20)
- Digital Divide During a Pandemic: How to Work Toward Inclusion for Your Nonprofit Community (Recorded Webinar from TechSoup, May 18)
- An Event Decision-Making Tool to help you decide if you should host an event in 2020 (20 degrees)
- The Show Must Go On: Producing an Online Virtual Event (TechSoup)
- Make the Move! Tips for Migrating Your In-Person Event Online (Blue Avocado)
- How to Make Your Virtual Meetings and Events Accessible to the Disability Community
- Ensuring Virtual Events Are Accessible for All (RespectAbility)
- Facilitating great meetings online (Recording, Big Duck)
- Virtual Meetings Untangled (BoardSource) (And more advice/answers to FAQs)
- How to Bring Your Live or In-Person Events Online (Recording, TechSoup, April 9)
- A comprehensive list of tips, tools and examples for event organizers during the coronavirus outbreak
- Coronavirus: What You Need to Know About Cancelling an Event and Liability Risks, Event (Feb. 21, 2020)
- Suddenly Remote: Virtual Events (RoundTable Technology)
- Integrating Zoom & YouTube (and check out the Portland Chamber’s helpful how-to video! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9YboQi_NDs)
- Ultimate Guide to Virtual Events (Cvent)
- The Maine Nonprofit Corporation Act allows for boards to conduct meetings by phone/online conferencing—basically any way that everyone can hear everyone. In terms of conducting business by email, the law had a lot of gray areas in the past but it was clarified last year and this blog post does a great job outlining the rules and considerations.
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Fundraising + Communications
- Free Webinar: Building on Year-End Momentum: Engaging New Supporters in 2021 and Beyond (January 19, TechSoup)
- Free Webinar: How do you convert crisis donors into regular givers? (January 21, Big Duck)
- Webinar: Engaging Sponsors and Donors: What’s Changed & What Hasn’t (January 27, Kentucky Nonprofit Network, MANP member discount)
- Fundraising During the Pandemic – compilation of resources (Chronicle of Philanthropy)
- COVID Month Two: 5 Questions and 6 Answers for This Moment in Fundraising
- Fundraising in uncertain times: success stories (Andy Robinson)
- Fundraising and Your Board During a Pandemic: Lean into the trends (BoardSource)
- How Nonprofits Are Pivoting To Virtual Fundraising In The Face Of Covid-19 (Forbes)
- Tips for navigating a nonprofit rebrand during the COVID-19 pandemic (Big Duck)
- Open Office Hour for Fundraisers (Wright Consulting Group) – every Friday through June 26th, 2020.
- Communicating with Donors During a Maelstrom: Practical Wisdom on When, What, Who, How, and How Often (Blue Avocado)
- Social fundraising in a crisis — dos and don’ts (Big Duck)
- Fundraising in the Time of COVID, a TechSoup round up
- Soliciting Gifts Gracefully, as the World Falls Apart (Al Cantor)
- Five principles to guide your donor communications for COVID-19 (Podcast from Big Duck)
- What should you do about your major donor campaign? (Recording, Big Duck)
- Coronavirus/COVID-19 Resource Guide – Association of Fundraising Professionals has created a collection of curated resources offering guidance on fundraising, donor communications and more during a time when in-person interaction is likely non-existent.
- Fundraising and donor communications in uncertain times (Recording, Big Duck)
- Fundraising During the Corona Outbreak: Answers to 5 Pressing Questions
- 4 Ways to Engage Major Donors During the Covid-19 Crisis
- Why Fundraisers Should Take the Long View
- Coronavirus Crisis Comms Triage Kit (The Communications Network)
- Tips to manage your nonprofit’s communications during the COVID-19 crisis (Big Duck)
- Market Drops and Crisis: Fundraising Lessons and Your Lighthouse
- Modifying P2P Campaigns When Participants Crave Social Connection (npEngage)
- How nonprofits should approach fundraising and donor communications during the coronavirus pandemic and financial crisis (Hannah Brazee Gregory at The Shoestring Agency)
- Communicating about coronavirus and your upcoming events, from Kivi at Nonprofit Marketing Guide
- COVID-19 Response Toolkit for Your Fundraising Events from Swaim Strategies
- Coronavirus – What am I supposed to do about my fundraising event? (Recording, Washington Nonprofits, March 9)
- Event Planning & COVID-19 (Recording, Washington Nonprofits, March 19)
- COVID-19: Adapting Our Fundraising Strategy (Recording, Washington Nonprofits, March 26)
- bloomerang is compiling resources here related to fundraising during the pandemic here including free webinars on topics such as managing your capital campaign in uncertain times and fundraising during times of fear and uncertainty
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Tools + Technology to Help You Adapt
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Health + Wellness During the COVID-19 Pandemic
- World Health Organization’s advice for the public.
- Coronavirus pages of Maine CDC and US CDC.
- 2-1-1 Maine is a resource to your employees, clients and communities.
- Multilingual fact sheets
- It’s okay to be stressed. NAMI Maine addresses mental well-being in the time of crisis and provides tips for staying well while navigating the COVID-19 outbreak. Mental Health America has a variety of resources.
- The State of Maine’s StrengthenME program has partnered with Work Force EAP to provide free stress management, wellness, and resiliency support to employees and volunteers of nonprofit organizations who are doing social support work (broadly defined – if you’re working with people, you qualify!). In March and April 2021 they are offering workshops ontopics such as sustaining compassion, stress management, de-escalation, work/life rhythm, resiliency and more! All trainings are drop-in via Zoom and there is no need to register in advance. Find more information on this flyer. You may share this opportunity widely with your staff and volunteers! Nonprofit employees can also schedule additional services, including free, confidential, short-term individual support, now through the end of June. For more information, call 1-800-769-9819 or send an email to StrengthenME@northernlight.org.
- Rest supports grieving: Grief rituals
- De-stress at your fingertips: 13 of the Best Apps to Manage Your Stress plus 7 science-based strategies to cope with coronavirus anxiety
- Stay active. We may need some extra reminding to take a stretch break from all this remote work. Many state parks are closed, but you can find your local land trust and explore their trails while getting some much needed fresh air (check their websites first to ensure they are still allowing access.)
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