B.C. non-profits are currently facing overwhelming impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, a recent study reports.
According to a survey conducted by Vantage Point, 15 – 19 per cent of the province’s non-profits are facing potential closure, with 23 per cent feeling like they may not last more than 6 months under the current global crisis.
The joint report was released by Vantage Point, Victoria Foundation, and Vancouver Foundation following the survey, and its findings suggest that many organizations may disappear in the next few months, including sports and recreation groups, environmental organizations, and social service agencies.
Some of the survey’s detailed findings report that 74 percent of non-profits have experienced a decrease in funding; 68 per cent have struggled to manage working from home; and 95 cent report higher stress levels because of COVID-19.
40 per cent of those non-profits who were surveyed have also already laid off, or anticipate laying off staff.
“Our most vulnerable residents rely on civil society organizations at the best of times, let alone when we’re facing something as unprecedented as the COVID-19 outbreak,” said Sandra Richardson, CEO of the Victoria Foundation.
“While it’s distressing to see the challenges highlighted in this report, this entire situation has been an important reminder of just how vital these organizations are and how essential it is they be able to remain stable when they’re needed most.”
The graph below highlights some of the largest impacts on non-profits currently:
A total of 1,119 respondents completed the survey by Vantage Point, which represents approximately 4.3 per cent of all non-profits in the province.
