FUNDRAISING WISHES AND HOPES IN THE TIME OF THE CORONA VIRUS

If I could only have…

Andrea McManus, ViTreo Group Inc
April 14th, 2020

All, or most of us, could use a break from the continuous bad news streaming from our many devices and the well-intentioned plethora of guides on how to work remotely.

So here goes. NPR reported last week that New Zealand’s Prime Minister declared that, in spite of the nation-wide lockdown, the Easter Bunny is an essential worker. I’m sure this exemption to current health measures was duplicated in many countries across the globe.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern declared the Easter Bunny to be an essential worker in her country, stating that the rabbit could go about its mysterious business last Sunday as usual, despite a nationwide lockdown. (NPR, The Easter Bunny Is An Essential Worker, Bill Chapell, April 7, 2020)

One thing I’ve always been curious to find out is the story behind the Easter Bunny. Where and how did that tradition come about? I’m sure many of you have been wondering the same thing:

“The Easter bunny has become a prominent symbol of Christianity’s most important holiday. The exact origins of this mythical mammal are unclear, but rabbits, known to be prolific procreators, are an ancient symbol of fertility and new life. According to some sources, the Easter bunny first arrived in America in the 1700’s with German immigrants who settled in Pennsylvania and transported their tradition of an egg-laying hare called ‘Osterhase’ or ‘Oschter Haws.’ Their children made nests in which this creature could lay its colored eggs. Eventually, the custom spread across the U.S. and the fabled rabbit’s Easter morning deliveries expanded to include chocolate and other types of candy and gifts, while decorated baskets replaced nests. Additionally, children often left out carrots for the bunny in case he got hungry from all his hopping.”

- History.com, Holidays Easter Symbols, April 9 2020

So, now that we’ve laid that to rest, I began to think about the possibility of all of us (since Prime Minister Ardem’s edict) waking up to a world last Sunday where we had something to distract us from the latest COVID updates. A world where baskets of gifts, foil wrapped presents and hollowed out chocolate bunnies had been left on our doorstep and hidden throughout our houses and gardens by a giant, fluffy bunny.

With that in mind, I asked the ViTreo team what each of them would have wished for if the Easter Bunny could grant wishes? I realize this is usually the Fairy Godmother’s job, but she’s decided to self-isolate this year.

And this is what they would wish for during this time:

• A stimulus program for capital campaigns

• A chance to talk to a donor about anything but the virus

• A haircut 

• Board-wide advocacy

• A visit in person (not video)

• A visit with my mother in person

• A visit with my sons in person

• A visit and hug with my grandchildren

• A chef to get a break from working in our 'diner' where we are constantly cooking, serving and cleaning to prepare for the next meal

• A happy surprise just around the corner for charities

• A live-in person who is all of a teacher/cook/maid/personal trainer/general maintenance/drinking buddy

• A trip to my gym

• A fancy date night at a nice restaurant

• A game of golf

What’s on your wish list? What have you been missing from this time of isolation, lack of one on one personal contact and the everyday routines that used to fill our days. Will anyone ever complain about a crowded grocery store or mall again? And even more importantly, what will be the one thing you used to keep you going? And, what might be the one thing you do not return to?

Everyone at the ViTreo Group hopes that you and your families are well and safe and that you were able to celebrate or enjoy this long weekend.

The Provocateur will return again next week to our regular format. ViTreo has developed research on the economic recovery after the pandemic and implications for recovery for nonprofits. Our next blog will focus on the findings of that research. Stay tuned for a blog later this month on Alumni Relations in the time of the coronavirus. 

These are extraordinary times and what we are doing is not easy. At ViTreo, we are here to help and we will continue to offer support and advice. We hope that we all emerge from this very difficult time with more resilience and with an even greater focus on our message and what we are doing to make our communities better.

Again, we are here to help. You can book a 30 minute complimentary chat with a member of our team to discuss your unique situation and program goals. To schedule this complimentary chat, please email info@vitreogroup.ca or call us at 403-210-3157. We would be happy to discuss solutions for your near term needs or how we can help in the long term.

We are hosting a series of Fundraising Ask Anything Events where you can connect and ask questions of your peers and the ViTreo team. Learn more and register here.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Andrea McManus, Chair, Board of Directors, Partner
ViTreo Group Inc

Andrea McManus is a Partner with ViTreo with over 30 years’ experience in fund development, marketing, sponsorship and nonprofit management. A highly strategic thinker and change maker, Andrea has worked with organizations that span the nonprofit sector with particular focus on building long-term and sustainable capacity.