#OpenForGood Profile: Central Missouri Community Action
As part of our #OpenForGood campaign, we’re featuring stories of resilience from nonprofits around the country. What does reopening look like for your organization? Share with us on social media using #OpenForGood for a chance to be featured on Network for Good’s blog and social media.
Even though they belong to the national Community Action network and receive robust federal and state government funding, the comprehensive services provided by Central Missouri Community Action necessitate contributions well beyond what restricted grants can provide. When an organization’s mission is as complex as moving families from poverty to a point of economic self-sufficiency by providing both economic and skills-based support, an event like a pandemic can completely upend tried and true strategies to support clients. And, just like with fundraising practices and donor expectations, Community Action’s needs and practices have been permanently altered by the pandemic. While donors readily rose to the occasion during the covid crisis, they’re working hard to keep those same donors engaged post-pandemic by grounding their outreach in storytelling and fostering a monthly giving program that has already doubled since it was put into place.
In sharing the stories of both successful individuals and families impacted by CMCA through text and photos, as well as the stories of individual donors, they’re keeping both clients and community members going while reinforcing the need for sustained support. Network for Good’s reporting, email, and text-to-give services have been especially helpful here as CMCA looks to re-engage lapsed donors and determine which other segments of their community to cultivate.
With a communication approach centered on storytelling, CMCA is preparing to reopen by looking forward to their first in-person fundraising event in over a year, a gala hosted by University of Missouri that will honor CMCA alongside five other local nonprofits, and anticipating an uptick in demand for services. Making their work come alive so that they can stay one step ahead of donors is what is helping CMCA stay #OpenForGood.
Photo information: Madi is a young woman who became pregnant during her junior year in high school. Upon this discovery, she was connected with our Head Start Home-Based program and a home base coach worked with her during her pregnancy to ensure that she and her baby were healthy. The same coach continues to work with Madi and her child and has worked with Madi to set and achieve goals. Madi’s goal this year was to graduate from high school and she did it! This is a photo of her celebration. Photos provided by CMCA staff.
