Amidst economic strains, political unrest, and pandemic-related pressure, nonprofits in America are struggling to keep their operations running. In fact, according to a recent study by the Center for Disaster Philanthropy, 1 in 3 nonprofits are in dire financial jeopardy.
Nevada’s nonprofits have not been immune to plummeting donations. A survey conducted by the University of Nevada, Las Vegas showed that 149 nonprofit organizations in Nevada took a major financial hit in 2020 during the start of the pandemic.
Nevertheless, Nevada’s nonprofits are slowly starting to stabilize after that tough year. This upturn is largely due to smart strategies and creative thinking when approaching donating factions. Read further about how nonprofits in Vegas are working to survive, thrive, and operate during this “new norm” in America.
How Do Nonprofits in Vegas Get Funding?
Las Vegas is no stranger to philanthropy, and funding for nonprofits comes from a variety of sources. For instance, the federal government awarded the Silver State $30 million dollars to its nonprofits in response to the pandemic crisis in 2020. Other sources of nonprofit funding come from large corporations such as Amazon, and major institutions like Bank of America.
These sources make up the lion’s share of nonprofit funding. However, charitable donations from private individuals and fundraising efforts are still responsible for keeping nonprofits running strong. With this in mind, here are a few ways nonprofits in Vegas are moving and changing with the times to stay afloat.
Technology Trends in Charity
Nonprofits in Vegas like Goodwill and the Vegas chapter of the SPCA are starting to utilize technology to implore private donors to contribute to their causes. This is largely done by asking for contributions online with the use of donation buttons on their websites. In the old days, nonprofits were limited to snail mail entreaties asking residents for donations. Today, anyone can visit the website of a charitable organization of their choice and donate any amount of money to further the cause.
Another example of technology influencing nonprofit earnings is found in church communities in Vegas. Increasingly, church leaders are utilizing church management software services to help them maintain the business end of faith. Not only does church management software assist churches with donations, but this technology also allows church leaders to engage, grow and connect with their congregation. If you operate a nonprofit religious or spiritual establishment, you can learn more about this powerful software.
Harnessing the Power of Social Media
A whopping 82% of the US population log into some type of social media account to exchange, learn, share and communicate with others. In light of this staggering statistic, nonprofits in Las Vegas are starting to smartly take advantage of social media users.
Nonprofits are now making regular posts about events, fundraising parties, and the impact they are making in various neighborhoods in Las Vegas. Additionally, more nonprofits are sharing their passion for the people of Vegas by launching marketing campaigns on social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter. Not only is social media making nonprofits in Vegas more visible to the masses, but it also facilitates a way for them to connect more deeply with the community.
Crowdfunding for Nonprofits
Crowdfunding is the internet’s answer to old-fashioned neighborhood charity auctions or fundraisers. Nonprofits are utilizing crowdfunding platforms such as Hivebrite or GoFundMe to entice private individuals to donate to their cause. Crowdfunding is also a solution in pandemic-centric times because it allows people to donate without having to physically attend a fundraising event.
By using crowdfunding, nonprofits in Vegas can track their donations as well as retain contributor information. This allows nonprofits to keep in contact with their supporters long after the fundraising campaign is over. Furthermore, nonprofits can sweeten the pot by incentivizing donors. For example, organizers can motivate donors to contribute by offering a free gift, service, discount, or gift certificate to top contributors of the fund drive.
Staying Relevant in a New Norm World
The “new norm” in this post-pandemic world is hardly normal. In fact, it means potentially tough times for nonprofits struggling to stay relevant and financially solvent in Vegas. Now more than ever, current times call for innovative, creative solutions when it comes to keeping nonprofits afloat. Thankfully, savvy organizers are leveraging technology in elegant ways to keep ahead of challenging times.
While the nonprofit market in the state of Nevada wasn’t hit the hardest these last few years, nonprofit leaders still strive daily to fight the good fight for charitable causes. At the end of the day, nonprofits represent a huge boon to the citizens and residents of Las Vegas. After all, the philanthropic services, supplies, and good deeds provided by nonprofits are an essential, buoying agent in this great city of Vegas.