The Road to Reopening

Over the past few weeks, the vast majority of states in the U.S. reopened to one degree or another after shutting down non-essential activity to slow the spread of COVID-19. No matter where your nonprofit is located, you should have a comprehensive plan to reopen your organization that aligns with your state policies, federal guidelines, and best practices. 

Here are the things you should consider while developing your plan to reopen:

Applicable Regulations

As an organizational leader, one of your key responsibilities during times of crisis is staying informed of the latest local, state, and federal actions that impact your nonprofit. State leaders have routinely updated their constituents with new regulations and guidelines for opening essential and non-essential organizations over the past few months. 

An easy way to ensure you have the latest information is to visit the website of your state’s governor, health department, or similar agency—most of these websites have pages specifically for tracking COVID-19 policy. National media outlets like The New York Times and The Washington Post are also publishing updated information for all 50 states.

Although state-level regulations are likely to be the most relevant to your organization’s ability to reopen, keep in mind that local and federal agencies are also exercising authority and publishing guidelines related to COVID-19. Visit your city’s website and the federal government’s coronavirus.gov to learn more. 

Managing a Nonprofit in the Post-Coronavirus Workplace

Even after we settle back into our normal routines, COVID-19 will change the way most organizations operate in one way or another. For example, many workplaces have announced plans to permanently shift parts of their workforce to telecommuting. Now is the time to think deeply about how you want to structure your organization moving forward—are there any changes you made to accommodate the pandemic that may actually work better in the long term?

For team members who do return to the office, it’s important to follow new best practices for safety around the workplace. Social distancing will remain important, so you may need to consider reorganizing your work area and limiting in-person gatherings as you can for several months. Organizations including The Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits and Morgan Lewis LLP have released guides that will help you think through these issues, develop a plan tailored for your organization, and hit the ground running once you receive the green light to reopen.

Safety for Your Team, Stakeholders, and Community

Sanitary guidelines have been drilled into our heads repeatedly since the pandemic began: wash your hands, wear a mask, wipe down surfaces… the list goes on. The longer we hear these things and get used to them, the less likely we are to give them the attention they deserve. It’s important to address this at the office immediately upon your reopening.

Whether you’re working with your team every day in the office, meeting with donors, or putting on an event in the community, safety is more important now than ever. Make sure everyone in your organization knows what they need to do to stay as safe as possible—and, more importantly, buys into the importance of doing so. Check out the recommendations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Momentum Nonprofit Partners, and others and incorporate applicable safety guidelines into your plan to reopen.

No matter when your team gets back on its feet, Resilia is here for you. We hope this guide helps you navigate the challenges of reopening your nonprofit in the post-pandemic economy.

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