# Pandemic is transforming nonprofits’ approach to digital, report finds

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2020/12/10/pandemic-is-transforming-nonprofits-approach-to-digital-report-finds/
- Published: 2020-12-10T15:35:06+00:00
- Author: Howard Lake

The Covid-19 pandemic is transforming European nonprofits’ approach to service delivery
and fundraising, according to a new report released on Wednesday by the [European Fundraising Association](https://efa-net.eu/)
and [Salesforce.org](https://www.salesforce.org/).

 

The report, which includes survey results from almost 800 nonprofit representatives
across Europe, looked at the impact of the pandemic on income, fundraising and service
delivery. It found that while the majority of nonprofits had to cancel events and
downscale their income projections, over half of them increased their use of digital.

## Advertisement

 

The report notes that 65% of respondents ramped up their use of digital for service
delivery, 62% for fundraising and 54% to diversify their future fundraising strategy.
Specific actions included launching emergency appeals and starting new fundraising
channels. The European Fundraising Association found evidence that nonprofits are“
innovating and embracing digital to re-shape their future.” The impact is expected
to be long-term with only 11% of participants stating that their future fundraising
strategy will not change.

 

Despite these innovations, most respondents predicted that their organisation’s 
total revenue during 2020 will be lower than was expected at the start of the year.
There are, however, regional variations. Of the six national markets with the largest
number of responses, respondents in Italy (53%), Spain (38%) and the UK (37%) were
most likely to have seen a decrease in the amount donated. Respondents in Germany(
45%) and France (37%) were more likely to have seen an increase, while donations
were stable for 40% of respondents in the Netherlands.

 

Eduard Marček, President of the European Fundraising Association and Chair of the
Slovak Fundraising Centre, says:

 

> “This has been an incredibly tough year for the sector, and this survey indicates
> that the majority of nonprofits have had to downscale their income projections
> at a time when their services are urgently needed. The ability to raise enough
> funds to continue their vital work remains an immense concern.
> “And yet, it’s clear that nonprofits have not stood still. They are working hard
> to innovate, identifying new ways to fundraise, to build supporter engagement 
> and to deliver frontline services. The pandemic remains a major threat and the
> work of the nonprofit sector will be all the more important as we work together
> to aid Europe’s recovery.”

 

The European Fundraising Association is a network of fundraising associations and
bodies working to strengthen and develop fundraising across Europe. You can read
the full report [on their website.](https://efa-net.eu/resources/the-impact-of-covid-19-on-nonprofits-in-europe)

 

**MORE:**

 

 * **[Pandemic sparks rise in digital activism (1st September 2020)](https://fundraising.co.uk/2020/09/01/pandemic-sparks-rise-in-digital-activism/)**
 * **[Benchmarking test shows charity marketers lagging behind on digital skills (4th September 2020)](https://fundraising.co.uk/2020/09/04/benchmarking-test-charity-marketers-lagging-behind-digital-skills/)**
 * **[Free consultation offer to help charities with digital (27th February 2020)](https://fundraising.co.uk/2020/02/27/free-consultation-offer-to-help-charities-with-digital/)**