https://bloomerang.com/blog/now-what-5-tips-for-furloughed-or-laid-off-fundraisers/ Fri, 29 Aug 2025 21:00:28 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://bloomerang.com/blog/now-what-5-tips-for-furloughed-or-laid-off-fundraisers/#comment-372185 Sun, 13 Sep 2020 18:50:40 +0000 https://bloomerang2dev.wpengine.com/?p=49796#comment-372185 I have always had two sides of my practice, grant-writing and communications. During the pandemic, the grant-writing work definitely tanked as projects were cancelled or postponed indefinitely. However the skills that one uses for fund-development can include all of the following: writing, social-media, analytics, database development, WordPress, graphic design. If, like me, you have been responsible for designing materials, updating websites, customizing databases, creating websites for fund-development events, then you have a lot of transferable skills. Since the dawn of the pandemic I have launched 5 new sites for clients, consulted on an IT upgrade for distance working and added online components to two other clients sites. Investing in 21st century skills helps anyone be resilient. I’m in my 60’s and have always embraced technology. I see many younger fund-development staff who think that this is something that is “not my job”. They are the losers at times like this.

]]> https://bloomerang.com/blog/now-what-5-tips-for-furloughed-or-laid-off-fundraisers/#comment-370747 Tue, 08 Sep 2020 08:01:59 +0000 https://bloomerang2dev.wpengine.com/?p=49796#comment-370747 I wouldn’t get so upset. These posts only tell one side of any story. Sometimes managers abuse staff, and sometimes staff members can be completely unproductive, unethical, incompetent, etc. Over 30 years of work as staff and ED I’ve experienced both bosses and employees who are mentally ill, fighting addictions, or criminals. It’s hard to tell from a short post if we are hearing both sides of the story. When it comes to executive directors there is a very high standard: if the ED is not advancing the organization to the satisfaction of the Board, the Board may replace her or him (subject to employment law and contracts). EDs are kinda like coaches or military generals. If you are not successful you may be replaced regardless of trying hard. In my current organization it’s not about fairness to the ED or staff as much as it is about “fairness” to the severely needy clients we struggle to serve (within reason). When a staff person or ED is ineffective our clients suffer and so the problem must be solved or better able people must be brought in if solutions have not worked.

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