Northeast Arc of Danvers bills itself as an organization that helps people with disabilities become full participants in their communities while providing support for their families.
Lynn Economic Opportunity’s (LEO) mission statement is to strengthen the Greater Lynn community through resources and services that provide opportunities for children, families and individuals to thrive.
Lynn Community Health Center offers comprehensive health care of the highest quality to everyone in our community, regardless of ability to pay.
Across the board, nonprofit groups and private schools exist to provide services to people who need them. And while all of them have their own sources of funding, the coronavirus crisis that has ground life to a virtual halt has left them all keenly affected and uncertain about their immediate futures.
“It’s hard to put into words the impact this has had, from the services that have been interrupted and canceled, to the services that have been redesigned to fit the flexibility off the staff,” said Northeast Arc CEO Jo Ann Simons, who lives in Swampscott.
Between having to refashion face-to-face services with electronic interaction — including telephone and other technological means — Northeast Arc is one of many nonprofits that have had to either postpone or cancel their spring fundraisers.
“We were going to have our gala on May 7, and we expected to raise about $700,000,” said Simons. “We have to find that money from different sources.”
The money may not be coming in — at least from the gala — but the expenses sure aren’t coming to a halt. Northeast Arc has put out $50,000 for laptops to outfit a mobile workforce. Simons said the group has also acted proactively in procuring personal protection equipment (PPE), hand sanitizer, and various other expenses “that we weren’t anticipating.”
“Sadly,” she said, “and with great difficulty, we’ve had to furlough some staff as well. We can’t maintain our workforce with the revenues streams curtailed the way they’ve been. It’s a new game, and nobody gave anyone the playbook.”
Spring fundraising events have been either postponed or canceled completely in the wake of the virus scare.
“At this point,” said a woman familiar with North Shore nonprofits and their fundraising, “it’s probably a smarter move to cancel them outright.
“Nonprofits would be wise to do that and pivot into another way to raise money,” she said.
That’s what the Lynn Boys & Girls Club may have to end up doing. Although the club usually has its major fundraiser — its annual Hall of Fame induction — in October. But it also holds its “Lucky Sweepstakes” night in the spring, with the proceeds going to send a boy to Camp Creighton in the summertime.
That was originally scheduled for Friday night and has been pushed back to May 29. But executive director Brian Theirrien isn’t sure that’s going to go off as planned either.
“As of right now, that’s the goal,” he said. “If we have to, we may do a virtual thing where we go on-line, or on Zoom, to do the fundraising. If not, we’ll have to postpone and reschedule again.”
Theirrien said that he fears the bigger issue with the shutdown recommendations is the loss of social contact.
“Youth development, cash flow … all of it is taking a big hit,” Theirrien said. “As is our visibility — the social development, kids’ learning progress, making friends and building memories.
“The (board of directors) is looking to make sure the cash flow stays positive,” he said. “We want to pay our staff. It’s really important that we have the right staff interacting with our members.”
The Lynn Community Health Center has had to postpone — for now — its April 30 Women in Health breakfast at the Kernwood Country Club in Salem. Thus far, no makeup date is planned.
“We’re hoping our donors can help us out,” said spokeswoman Cynthia Steger-Wilson. “We need the funds so that we can take care of people from Lynn.
“It’s our donors who will help us along,” Steger-Wilson said.
Fundraisers say that even though the individual events have to be called off, it doesn’t mean that those groups should cut themselves off from their donors. It’s a good time, they say, to reach out to those donors and inquire after their health too.
That’s what Deb Ansourlian did in a communication to donors announcing Girls Inc. would have to cancel its celebration luncheon that was scheduled for Thursday “in response to Governor Baker’s ban on public gatherings to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
“During this unprecedented time, we appreciate more than ever the support of our loyal donors who have sponsored the event, donated, or purchased tickets to attend,” Ansourlian wrote to Girls Inc.’s donors. “We are disappointed to have to postpone but will continue to monitor the situation, communicate openly, and update you as we look forward to a date when we can celebrate our Girl Heroes and our work here at Girls Inc. of Lynn — together.”
LEO is in a curious predicament. Its fundraiser is in June, and “I don’t know what we’re going to do about that,” said CEO Birgitta Damon.
However, there’s some good news on the LEO front. The organization received a $20,000 grant from the Essex County Community Foundation to support LEO during the crisis, Damon said.
That may be good for the short term, but “we are concerned with our ability to raise funds over the long term,” Damon said. “There’s going to be a lot we’re going to need.”
She hopes to be able to tap into some of the $3 million Eastern Bank has committed to donate for programs such as hers.
“Everything’s important to sustain the organization,” she said. “We’re fortunate that, at the moment, we don’t have to let staff go, or to furlough anybody. We’re still getting money from Head Start, and we’re still getting voucher subsidies from the state’s Department of Early Education and Care.
“We are fortunate to be in a better position than some groups are,” she said. “We’ve been able to pivot and provide services in a different way.”
Still, she’s concerned about “basic needs. How do we keep getting diapers, wipes, food, out to our communities?”
Raw Art Works has also canceled its spring fundraiser
In prioritizing the health and safety of our community, we have decided to cancel our annual fundraiser, BASH: Party with a Purpose, scheduled for May 2,” wrote co-founder and director Kit Jenkins. “Aside from raising the necessary funds to keep our programming free, we love the spirit of the BASH that celebrates artists and our community.
“We will be connecting soon with our committed donors, amazing corporate supporters, and friends of RAW to share more details of how folks can help us meet the goals meant to be achieved by the BASH.”
RAW has canceled all of its onsite programming and activities and is working remotely and planning with staff on how to best support our youth and families during RAW’s closure.
“Limiting the spread of this virus is essential, especially for vulnerable populations,” said Jenkins. “RAW will continue to be closed as long as Lynn Public Schools are closed.
“It is at times like this that we need each other and community is so important,” Jenkins wrote. “Over the years, we have worked with thousands of young people, compassionate donors, and committed staff, board, and volunteers. We invite you to stay connected to us virtually.”
St. Mary’s High School had several things scheduled for the spring, the first being Thursday’s Reverse Raffle, said Jamie Gigliotti, director of external affairs.
The second event, also postponed, is the Varsity Club Hall of Fame induction, “which is more like a friend-raiser than a fundraiser,” she said.
“It’s a great feel-good event that celebrates our connectivity and success.”
In terms of fundraising, “we are blessed with amazing alumni, and their giving directly supports St. Mary’s,” Gigliotti said. “We pride ourselves in being affordable to all families who have financial need, so fundraising is important.
“We want to be sensitive to families’ needs. Families are being taxed. Some people can’t work from home, so people are getting laid off.”