Hartford Business Journal

www.HartfordBusiness.com • April 20, 2020 • Hartford Business Journal 21 One silver lining, Shulman said, is that national surveys have found a slight bump in individual giving to some organizations since the crisis hit. "People want to help at this time and realize that nonprofits are in greater need than they have been … and maybe they're increasing their donations," she said. However, individual and corpo- rate donors can't save Connecti- cut's nonprofit sector in its current weakened condition if the crisis worsens, said John Horak, director of TANGO, a nonprofit education and consulting firm with offices in Farmington. "We're in survival mode for the next 60 to 90 days," Horak said. Without a cash infusion from the state, many Connecticut nonprof- its will soon face financial collapse. "If there's ever a rainy-day emer- gency I think this is one," Horak said. "Give these organizations breathing space." TANGO is offering emergency consulting to nonprofits seeking to lower costs and access business resources to improve revenue, said CEO and Founder Rollin Schuster. "These nonprofits in good times are financially strapped," Schuster said, adding that he sees agencies in the caregiver and mental health fields at highest risk due to labor concerns. "It's hard to find employ- ees in good times, it's hard to keep employees. You layer a health risk onto that, … it's a challenge." Shifting landscape Employment issues during the crisis are creating a "tsunami" of calls to the Hartford office of Pro Bono Partnership, which provides le- gal assistance to nonprofits, accord- ing to Priya Morganstern, director of the group's Connecticut program. In some cases, lay- ing off employ- ees in the short term might make sense so they can claim unemployment, but those same workers may lose health insurance. "There are a lot of strategic decisions that need to be made by our clients," Mor- ganstern said. Many nonprofits are also seeking help with getting out of contracts for fundraisers and galas, with thousands of dollars held in depos- its by hotels and other vendors that could be used for more basic needs. Others need help with altering the terms of grants as the virus impacts program offerings. "We're trying to help our clients figure that out with their funders," Morganstern said. "Generally, we try to see if funders are willing to let nonprofits convert that money to general operating support," Mor- ganstern said. The Pro Bono Partnership has also been helping nonprofits navi- gate the wilds of the federal Pay- check Protection Program, which provides loans to small enterprises and certain nonprofits, and may serve as a capital lifeline over the next few months. Volunteers at law firms through- out the region have maintained their commitment to help nonprof- its through Pro Bono Partnership in recent weeks, Morganstern said. "They are still stepping up to the plate to help our clients," she said. "It's so gratifying and moving to see the support that we have from the volunteers." Leadership in crisis As head of COMPASS Youth Collaborative, Santiago said she is dealing with concern for both her clients and staff. The nonprofit's 50 employees face a shortage of protective gear as they make com- munity visits, in addition to the challenges of stress and burnout. "It's an interesting time to be a leader," Santiago said. She's urgently investigating federal and state relief programs while keep- ing an eye on her workers' mental and physical health. With a lean $3 million annual budget, Santiago has had to call on the agency's funders for additional cash to keep her staff employed and supply necessary safety equip- ment. With help from the Hartford Foun- dation, United Way and Dalio Philanthropies, COMPASS is making do — for now. "The great- est motiva- tor is that we know that we are the ones doing the work that no one can do or would want to do," Santiago said. "We address some very difficult situations. There are few agencies that do this work with these kids, and if they don't have us, who do they have?" NONPROFIT NOTEBOOK Rollin Schuster, CEO and Founder, TANGO Priya Morganstern, Director, CT Pro Bono Partnership Do you know of an outstanding family-owned business? FAMILY MAKES THE DREAM WORK. VISITWWW.HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM/ HBJ-EVENTS/FAMILY-BUSINESS-AWARDS TO NOMINATE TODAY. SILVER SPONSOR: PRESENTED BY: PLATINUM SPONSORS: NOMINATION DEADLINE: 4/30

• Cover