If you’ve been following the coronavirus’s impact on the economy. You probably know the effect that it had on the stock market and businesses across the country. Stocks for the airline industry, retail industry, and others have fallen drastically. The Dow Jones Industrial Average has fallen to its lowest in 2020 since the 2008 recession. It’s also true that nonprofit sports organizations and athletic departments across the country are facing their darkest hours. According to research by The Associated Press through Wednesday, July 8th, a total of 171 sports have been cut from four-year universities due to the unforeseen events of the pandemic. The Financial Squeeze of COVID-19
Conversations about nonprofit sustainability have turned into conversations about their survivability.
According to Chris Larson’s reporting at Louisville Business First, “Keeping organizations open and viable past the current moment will be a challenge because many nonprofit organizations run on thin margins and thinner cash flows. Many only have between 30-, 60- and 120-days’ worth of cash reserves”. According to The Chronicle of Higher Education, “218 American colleges and universities have laid off, furloughed, or not renewed contracts with workers because of COVID-19”. This has impacted at least 50,904 employees. The Financial Squeeze of COVID-19
The worldwide outbreak of COVID-19 is definitely a source of unexpected stress and adversity for all of us. In order to save some of the greatest sports organizations and athletic departments in our nation, and preserve the dreams of student-athletes across the country, the need for donor support is more important now than ever. Purdue Athletics and the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) are two examples of exceptional organizations fighting to navigate through the economic impact of COVID-19. The Financial Squeeze of COVID-19
Purdue University’s More Than A Game Initiativehttps://youtu.be/IJSRENGbsH4
Purdue Athletics is one of only a handful of Division I athletic departments that is entirely self-sustaining. The department does not receive any taxpayer dollars, funding from Purdue University, or student fees. All of the department’s funding comes from enthusiastic alumni, and supporters of the university, many of whom are members of the John Purdue Club. These JPC members share the belief in the department’s vision.
“When I came to Purdue, I saw promise, and a university that was ready to win. I knew that if we were ‘all in’ then we could achieve great things,” said Mike Bobinski, Director of Athletics at Purdue University. “We’ve been doing everything we can to be fiscally responsible in the face of the crisis, but now we need your help to keep it going. All the hard work we’ve put in to get here is now in jeopardy. The ‘More Than A Game’ campaign is critical to the future of Purdue Athletics”.
Purdue Athletics in partnership with The John Purdue Club announced the creation of the “More Than A Game” campaign.
The goal of the campaign is to help the athletic department navigate the financial ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic, which includes a budget shortfall exceeding $50 million.
To pledge your support to the More Than A Game initiative, please visit https://www.jpcmorethanagame.com. Your financial support will help save sports, jobs, and allow Purdue to continue to focus on developing champions, scholars, and citizens. If you would like more information or have questions, contact a John Purdue Club representative at 765.494.2582.
The National Fastpitch Coaches Association Announces COVID-19 Operational Efficiency Plan https://youtu.be/BZQcR8xRg1w
Just as many collegiate athletic departments and businesses across the country respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The National Fastpitch Coaches Association Executive Director announced an operational efficiency plan, which the NFCA Board of Directors approved on April 12, 2020. Established in 1983, the NFCA is the professional growth organization for fastpitch softball coaches from all competitive levels of play.
The NFCA is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit corporation, comprised of members from all 50 states and several international countries. The organization strives to be the premier one stop shop in the sport of fastpitch softball. Members benefit from a host of services highlighted by continued education, events, awards, networking, and partnership opportunities to grow the sport.
“As a non-profit organization, the NFCA is significantly impacted by COVID-19 economic issues,” said NFCA’s Executive Director Carol Bruggeman. “Even with budget adjustments, our NFCA team will continue to operate at a high level of service to our membership. We are focused on providing relevant education and important support to our members, while also maintaining fiscal responsibility during these times”.
The NFCA is one of several organizations feeling the financial squeeze of the pandemic.
Learn more about the NFCA at https://nfca.org. Help this great organization overcome the challenges of COVD-19. The NFCA would appreciate any support you are willing to provide in these unprecedented times. Visit https://nfca.org/divnews/general/nfca-covid-19-financial-plan and pledge your support today. If you would like more information or have questions, contact a NFCA representative at 502.409.4600.
Sports and Recreation Nonprofits
Every year, millions of nonprofits spend trillions of dollars around the world. GuideStar finds out where that money comes from, where it goes, and why it matters. Through research, collaboration, and training, GuideStar connects nonprofits, foundations, and individuals to the resources they need to do good.
Building on 88 years of dedicated experience. GuideStar is the most complete source of information about U.S. charities and other nonprofit organizations there is. Search their database of more than 1.8 million IRS-recognized organizations to find a sports and recreation nonprofit to support.
Here’s My Take!
As I read the total number of sports cut at four-year institutions the news hit me like a ton of bricks. I understand that adversity is inevitable. But difficulties or misfortunes don’t have to keep us from achieving our intended goals and finding the happiness we seek for ourselves and others.
I am a proud father of a four-year-old little girl with big dreams of someday competing in sports. I feel a sense of responsibility to protect the athletic dreams of our youth by helping to save these important non-profit sports organizations and athletic departments. A single person cannot save these organizations, but together, we can! Dale Carnegie said it best,
“Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all”.
We are stronger when we come together. Visit the links above and learn more about these great organizations. Don’t wait until the game is over for these two. If you have the ability to pledge your financial support, do it now, do it today!