‘We’ll still be here’: Kamloops non-profits talk feasibility of operating during COVID-19

“We were forecasting a deficit,” Reid said. “Part of our cost savings was realized in the first six months of our fiscal year (September 2019 to February 2020). We were well on the path of managing costs because we had to. We were right-sizing our Y for the times, then the pandemic hit and threw another wrench in. We know there are a lot of charities and non-profits that have more difficult fiscal years because of the pandemic; we were fortunate.”

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According to the Y’s financial statement unveiled during its Feb. 16 annual general meeting, total revenue decreased by over $250,000. Combined membership and user fees were down nearly $550,000 but revenue from the Y’s contract with the B.C. government went up by over $250,000 and the group received nearly $150,000 more in donations. The Y also received over $50,000 in COVID-19 relief funding.

Expenses were cut by nearly $1 million. Reid said the Y moved a good chunk of its operation to a digital format and kept its essential services open.

“Everything we’re doing is with a smaller sample size and on fewer hours of being open to the public,” he said. “We are operating our fitness, health and aquatic services at about 50 per cent normal volume. Our members are standing behind us in this framework right now. They understand, although at times are maybe not necessarily 100 per cent satisfied, but we are following all the current protocols from public health.

“Some of our domestic violence counseling services for parents and children went online and remained online. Many services provided by the childcare resource and referral program all went to a virtual environment. We’re doing a lot of work, just not in person.”

Reid said the Y expects the current public health orders to remain in effect for the foreseeable future. Because of that — and that it might take the population time to get back to normal even after they get vaccinated — he said it’s good the Y has been able to pivot many of its services online and not be negatively impacted.

“The community of Kamloops has responded well… it’s maybe not perfect all the time, but services are being delivered in a safe and efficient matter,” he said.

Elsewhere, the Kamloops Hospice Association (KHA) may have not had the same bottom-line fiscal luck.

Over 50 per cent – approximately $1.2 million – of the KHA’s budget comes from outside its contract. When fundraisers such as its gala and golf tournament that bring in around $170,000 and $30,000 are suddenly gone, the focus turned to online fundraising to make up some of the lost revenue.

“It’s not something we’ve done,” KHA Executive Director Wendy Marlow said regarding online fundraising. “We love being in front of people and talking to our supporters and stakeholders face to face. It was a huge learning curve for us. We beefed up our website and did some learning and we launched our first Bucket List Raffle.”

A silver lining for the KHA about its experience operating in the pandemic is the gained ability to fundraise online. Marlow expects the Bucket List Raffle to raise around $50,000 – well short of what the gala brings in – but the KHA has reached double the amount of patrons than they would have at the in-person event.

A big piece for non-profits is awareness,” Marlow said. “Our community is so generous, even in the midst of COVID. People has their own challenges and they want to give and look for ways to support us. We’re not going to become victims of this, but we’re going to say, ‘What can we do to raise funds and make sure people know we’re still here supporting our community?’”

A challenge for the KHA at the start of the pandemic was providing services. As a 24/7 home which cares for people at the end of their life, the KHA had to ensure its patients, guests and staff all remained safe.

“I don’t think we ever read so much paper and made so many decisions about policy and procedure, sometimes changing twice a day,” Marlow said. “The doors aren’t wide open for anyone to come and go at any time… [Our families] book appointments and some of our common areas are closed.”

Other community services such as volunteers visiting people’s homes, caregiving training and grief groups had to be reeled in.

Despite the financial limitations and service restrictions, Marlow said one of the most encouraging aspects has been the support from the community, especially from the families of patients. She said one woman who had a loved one pass away pre-pandemic and during the pandemic said the care and support from KHA staff was still great.

Regarding the feasibility of operating like this long term, Marlow said there was no question about the KHA continuing amidst the pandemic.

“This might not change tomorrow, but let’s look long-term,” she said. “We know we’ll continue to operate and make adjustments to our community programs, but as we learn about virtual fundraising, the community recognizes and is so supportive of the service the hospice provides. There’s no doubt in my mind we’ll still be here to serve the community.”

Marlow encourages anyone to donate to their non-profit charity and organization of their choice. That whatever people have available to give means a lot.

by Aaron Schulze

‘We’ll still be here’: Kamloops non-profits talk feasibility of operating during COVID-19

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