Benchmark Survey Results: How is COVID-19 affecting Kansas City Nonprofits?

Nonprofit Connect continues to recognize the impact that the coronavirus is having on the Kansas City nonprofit community. Through an online survey, we again collected information on how organizations are being impacted to learn what resources are needed most. 129 nonprofits responded between November 19th & December 3rd. We've compiled the results and pulled out notable comments for organizations, funders and the wider community to understand the lasting effects of this crisis on our charitable sector and the services we provide. See our March 2020 COVID-19 survey here.
 

Question #1: Has your organization been impacted by the spread of the coronavirus, or do you expect it to be impacted?

Question #1 Results:

• Yes - 100%
• No - 0%

Question #2: If you replied "Yes" to the above, which of the following impacts has your organization experienced or anticipates experiencing? (Check all that apply.)

Question #2 Results:

• Cancellation of programs or events and corresponding reduced revenue - 83.72%
• Budgetary implications related to strains on the economy - 73.64%
• Disruption of services to clients and communities - 68.99%
• Challenges related to staff and volunteers needing to work remotely - 55.81%
• Increased and sustained staff and volunteer absences - 55.04%
• Increased demand for services/support from clients and communities - 52.71%
• Disruption of supplies or services provided by partners - 33.33%
• Other - 16.28%

Question #3: Please estimate the level of severity that any impacts are currently having or are predicted to have on the programs, services, or general operations of your organization.

Question #3 Results:

• High (significant impact) - 66.67%
• Moderate (minor disruption) - 31.01%
• Impact has been positive - 1.55%
• Low (little to no impact) - 0.78% 

Question #4: What specific impacts has COVID-19 had on the community or population your nonprofit serves?

• Lack of volunteers - 7 responses
• Lack of physical resources (Food, water, shelter, healthcare) - 11 responses
• Staff health concerns - 11 responses
• Increase in need for community internet access - 12 responses
• Mental health stressors increasing for clients - 13 responses
• Mental health stressors increasing for staff - 14 responses
• Financial hardships - 14 responses
• Social distancing restrictions affecting workflow - 18 responses
• Increase in demand for services - 20 responses
• COVID-19 restrictions negatively impacting business model - 34 responses

• "We serve the working poor who are homeless or those about to be evicted. We've seen an increased demand for our transitional housing or eviction prevention services but unable to do more due to limited resources. We have also seen a marked increase in mental health issues - anxiety and depression."
• "We are seeing a significant increase in the number of pets being relinquished due to financial and housing insecurity, as well as a significant increase in the number of KCMO residents calling to request services (food, medical support for pets, helping with emergency boarding for pets due to evictions, etc.)"
• "Team members exposed to positive individuals on our campus based programs and in foster homes. Increased costs and lost revenue."
• "We are a food pantry. We are having some people travel long distances to find food resource. We have many people accessing services for the first time. We have several case managers coming to our food pantry to pick up groceries for their clients. This is a heavy pull on our resources and time filling their requests."
• "One third of our students have no adult in the home that is employed. We are a school and doing a GREAT deal of case management. If students are hungry or in a worried state, they cannot learn. We are struggling to meet their needs."

Question #5: If your organization is experiencing or is anticipating a DECREASE in revenue related to the coronavirus, please list either the dollar amount or the percent decrease.

• $1,230,470 was the average lost revenue. Based on organizational size the range was from $275 - $7,400,000.
• 40% decline was the average reported loss experienced in revenue.

• "Event revenue is projected to be below budget for 2020 by 75%. Individual donations are off by 30% and product donations are projected to be down by 30%."
• "The State Child Care Subsidy payments in Missouri have decreased starting in August. We went from a $120K a month subsidy based on 240 kids, down to a $38K a month subsidy due to lower enrollment at our facility."

Question #6: If your organization is experiencing or is anticipating an INCREASE in expenses related to the coronavirus, please list either the dollar amount or the percent increase.

• $302,417 was the average increase in expenses. Based on organizational size the range was from $350 - $1,000,000.
• 31% increase was the average reported increase in expenses.

• "We've purchased zoom, YouTube, and other virtual aids. Total cost is approximately $3000."
• "We are using hotel rooms to try to increase emergency shelter beds. Those cost us about $130/night, as compared to a shelter bed night cost of $40/night."

Question #7: If your organization is experiencing or is anticipating an INCREASE in revenue related to the coronavirus, please list either the dollar amount or percent increase.

• $422,777 was the average increase in revenue. Based on organizational size the range was from $20,000 - $2,000,000.
• 51% increase was the average reported increase in revenue.

• "We have exceeded our first annual revenue budget by 30% - due to generous year end giving."
• "Some categories of our budget has increased, and some of lost revenue. Earned income is up by 40% while private donations are down by 50%. Grants have stayed about the same as what we projected."
• "Funding from PPP and the KC Regional Covid Relief Fund and Cares funding has provided approx $250K of revenue which has helped offset the decrease in revenue from other sources."

Question #8: In the next year, do you forsee your organization considering any of the following?

Question #8 Results:

• Seeking shared services - 77.19%
• Acquiring another organization - 10.53%
• Closing operations - 7.02%
• Merging with another organization - 5.26%

Question #9: Are there any additional resources or guidance that we could provide or share on COVID-19 preparation?

• Emergency and Gap Funding – 3 responses
• Working Remotely – 3 responses
• Understanding Government Relief Legislation – 4 responses
• Nonprofit Success Stories, how are others succeeding - 4 responses
• Operations & Continuity Planning –  6 responses
• How to Fundraise During Economic Downturn – 7 responses
• Assistance with grant writing - 7 responses
• Staff Assistance, hiring and maintaining morale - 10 responses

• "Information on how other nonprofit agencies are dealing with fundraising challenges for 2021; how agencies are dealing with the increasing number of staff that have to be out due to COVID exposures."
• "Multi-year Grant opportunities for Non-profits led by Executive Directors of color."
• "How to find qualified staff to work during the Pandemic. We have a hard time hiring staff with the qualifications we need."
• "How to sustain as a newly developed non-profit with lack of donors and challenges in developing partnerships with donors."
• "Avoiding burnout, secondary trauma, mindfulness/life-work balance especially when working from home."