March 19, 2020
To Our Clients and Community,
The global spread of COVID-19 is affecting every one of us, including our small team of two. We are fortunate that by design, we already work remotely from our homes. Although, in some instances, we attend meetings with clients and potential clients, tour organization sites as it relates to a project, or make community presentations or to organizational leadership staff and/or board. Due to the current reality of our world, we are instituting a flexible work schedule, which means we may be unavailable during our regular work hours – M-Th, 10AM-4PM and F, 10AM-3PM – and will do our best to work during off-hours to keep current projects on track. Furthermore, we have ceased all in-person meetings, tours, and presentations, and have stopped all travel. Here are the reasons why:
FLATTENING THE CURVE
Our team is following all recommendations given by local, state, and federal government agencies. We are committed to flattening the curve of the projected number of people who will contract COVID-19 over a period of time. Many of our clients serve the most vulnerable populations, including the elderly, infirm, immunocompromised, and youth. Those in their care and/or receiving services are just as important to us as they are to them, and we are happy to do our part to keep them safe.
CHILDREN ARE HOME
Our team, located both in San Angelo, TX and San Antonio, TX, has children that range from preschoolers through teenagers. The San Angelo Independent School District (ISD) is closed through Friday, March 20, 2020 and San Antonio ISD is closed through Friday, April 3, 2020. As of this time, daycares and preschools in San Angelo are open and are following strict guidelines from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to screen children and prevent the spread of the virus. Some are closing on select days to ensure regular deep cleaning and disinfecting of their facilities, which is beyond the normal sanitizing measures already being taken by licensed facilities. Out of an abundance of caution, we are also keeping in mind that these childcare facilities may possibly close as the world’s knowledge of COVID-19 grows.
STAYING WELL
Although our team is small, we are mighty… but to stay that way, we will ensure we are staying healthy both physically and mentally. The flexible work schedule will permit us to practice self-care and family care. We will continue to do our very best for you and your projects, and ensure our work is on track for you regardless of the odd hours that will have to be adopted.
WHAT ELSE ARE WE DOING?
We are mindful that the nonprofit fundraising landscape is adjusting to the changes taking place here in the United States. Traditional fundraisers that require groups to gather will need to consider moving to a virtual model or may even need to be postponed or cancelled. Also, grantmakers, including private foundations, may reevaluate their priorities on project/program types at this time. Our team is actively researching alternatives to fundraising. We will directly contact grantmakers we have worked with in the past to gauge where things stand so we can strategize with our clients and share what we learn with the nonprofit community on our blog. Additionally, we are seeking out financial programs specifically for nonprofits to assist during the COVID-19 pandemic.
LOOKING AHEAD
During this challenging time, we are all in this together. The Jelly Nonprofit Consulting team is indebted to the many amazing first responders, medical personnel, researchers, public health experts, and public servants across the world who have given every bit of themselves to help during this time. Also, we thank our amazing clients and other nonprofit organizations for all they are doing to keep those in their care and/or programs safe and well. Many of them are going to work day in and day out, and giving much of themselves to others. There are not enough words to express our great and sincere gratitude for all they do. They are inspiring.
Stay updated on our COVID-19 Resource Page, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Thank you and stay safe,
Angelina Osornio Torres, Founder and CEO
Jelly Nonprofit Consulting
