I’m over it.
 
COVID-19.
The deaths.
The sickness.
The fear.
The grief.
The politics.
The injustice.
The media.
The government screw ups.
The lockdowns.
The conspiracy theories.
The economy.
The unemployment rate.
The PPP.
The food supply.
The feeling of loneliness.
The worry. About everything. All the time.
The hoarding.
The sickness.
The deaths.
Oh look, murder hornets.
WTF.
 
I’m so over this s#!t. I know you are, too.
 
That’s why I’ve decided it’s time to break up with COVID-19.
 
As leaders and business owners, we have a job to do. Yes, we must acknowledge and accept the reality we now find ourselves in, but we can’t afford to lose touch with each other and perhaps more importantly, ourselves. We can’t afford to sacrifice today and tomorrow’s opportunities because a virus just gave the world a horrible, epic swirlie and we’re glued to a device watching things fall apart.
 
It’s time to break up with COVID-19.
 
This is a defining moment in time, no doubt. How will this moment come to define you?
 
Remember: we have work to do. We must get up every day, lead our teams, take care of our families, and provide services and support to communities and people who rely on us. (And hopefully, find toilet paper somewhere in between.)
 
Need inspiration, or a reminder of why your work matters? Here’s a sample of the amazing things our clients have been up to – also known as why we get out of bed every day:

• STARability, Naples, FL: A quick, effective pivot to virtual programming for adults with developmental challenges gets picked up by the news [VIDEO]

 

• Zawadisha, Kenya: 12 women make 1,500 masks for their community in 2 weeks [INSTAGRAM]

 

• Together Bay Area, Berkeley, CA: A simple survey of their members – land trusts, conservation organizations, natural resource managers, and indigenous groups – turns into huge advocacy leverage. Their 24 members estimate Together’s coalition could advance investments in green infrastructure to the tune of 10,500 new jobs across 10 Bay Area counties, improving the environment and access to nature for 7.7 million people [PDF]

 

• Nyaka, Michigan/Uganda: Releases first full-length documentary – award winning, truth-telling, INSPIRING, and streaming free [VIDEO-40 min]

 
What are you up to? Let us know and we’ll give you a shout out, too. We’re in this together.
 
Still in bed? Still feeling blue?
 
Let’s throw all the damn clichés in here at once and snap the hell out of it:
 
Stay positive.
Breathe.
Just keep swimming.
Be in the moment.
Enjoy the little things.
Hug someone.
Or tell someone you wish you could.
Fix something you can fix.
Clean something you can clean.
Make a good meal.
Then give it to someone else.
Rethink your career.
Consider your long-term plans for your business.
(Make a long-term plan for your business.)
Plant a garden.
Plant a tree.
Talk to your neighbors.
Walk.
Run.
Cycle.
Breathe again.
Dream big.
Innovate.
Cogitate.
Adapt.
Improvise.
Thrive.
 
You’ve got this.
 
Here are some of our favorite resources right now for moving on and moving out of crisis mode.
 
Those of us who successfully break up with COVID-19 and end our internal toxic relationship with all that it brings will be better for it in the end. I know that sounds trite, naïve even. But it’s a hallmark of human experience that when disaster or tragedy strikes, we evolve in response. The exceptional among us turn horror into beauty, discord into order, and brokenness into wholeness.
 
Join me. Say sayonara to this stupid virus.
 
Become a stronger, better, more flexible, adaptable, sustainable person, and then empower and support those around you to do the same.
 
I’m with you.
 
Virtual Hugs,
Chantal

As some states like our home base of Florida begin to re-open, nonprofit teams are putting their minds together to draw a new map for the future. A map of how to survive, keep a positive mindset and continue to provide critical services in their community.
 
Our team at Blue Fox has been intently reading and listening to the advice of our peers and advisors on how social good organizations can move forward with fundraising, communication, service delivery and respectfully re-opening their doors? Here is what we think are the most valuable resources on the digital streets. 
 
Leadership
Fast Company: 8 critical lessons leaders need to emerge from the COVID-19 crisis
CLA Wealth Advisors: Financial Leadership in the Face of Impossible Choices
Beth’s Blog: Five Tips for Nonprofits to Avoid Virtual Fatigue
 
Funding & Budgeting
Intuit: PPP Loan Relief Eligibility Calculator
Bloomerang: Ask An Expert – How to Balance Your Nonprofits Budget in a Crisis
Nonprofit Tech for Good: How Your Nonprofit Can Recruit & Retain Digital Sponsors (Webinar June 9)
 
If This Doesn’t Make You Smile…
BuzzFeed: 14 Animal Cams That Are Better Than TV
Today: Jimmy Fallon's giggling daughters take over his Ethan Hawke interview
MSN: Georgia teacher running more than 50 miles to visit each student outside their homes
 
Tax Info
IRS: Deferral of employment tax deposits and payments through December 31, 2020
 
Re-Opening
Florida Nonprofit Alliance: Best Practices and Considerations for Nonprofit Re-Engagement
U.S. Chamber of Commerce: State-by-State Re-opening Guidance
 
We’re with you!

Have you ever considered outsourced accounting services for your nonprofit? It can seem overwhelming at first to tackle all the moving pieces: getting your board of directors on board, choosing a provider (firm), preparing data and software for a transition, and finally the transfer of responsibilities and information. That’s why our team at Blue Fox put together this helpful guide to ease your mind: How Client Onboarding Works with Blue Fox. It’s an overview of our philosophy, team, and onboarding process from the very start of our relationship.  
 
We aim to make client onboarding as seamless (and stress-free) as possible. Our goal is to get your back office financial operations up and running in the most efficient way.  Simple as that! Then you can focus your time on bigger and better tasks like fundraising, public relations, events, and strategic planning.
 
Take a look at our guide today! It will explain: 

• Questions to ask yourself to determine if it’s time to outsource
• 10 reasons to outsource your nonprofit accounting (see our infographic)
• About our Founder and our philosophy on client relationships
• The relationship between our team and yours
• How the 4-week onboarding process unfolds
• Our five pillars of service

 
We would love to hear from you!
 
Feel free to contact us with questions about the onboarding process, for a pricing inquiry, or just to chat.
We exist to help nonprofits build stronger, more sustainable organizations. Now that’s fox-tastic!