By Hiba Radwi, Donor Relations Manager, Penny Appeal USA
In today’s fast-paced society, the allure of instant gratification permeates every aspect of our lives. We’ve grown accustomed to immediate results, quick fixes, and instant rewards. However, in the realm of nonprofit work, the pursuit of sustainable impact often clashes with the desire for instant results.
Nonprofit organizations are dedicated to addressing complex social issues and creating lasting change in communities. Yet, the pressure to demonstrate immediate outcomes can sometimes overshadow the long-term vision of sustainable impact.
So how does Penny Appeal USA balance serving our mission in an environment of instant gratification?
1. Long-term Goals over Short-term metrics: Funders and donors may prioritize short-term metrics such as the number of individuals served or immediate outcomes achieved, rather than focusing on the broader, systemic changes needed to address root causes of social issues.
Penny Appeal USA strives to stay true to our mission and values. This means prioritizing long-term goals and staying committed to creating systemic change, even if it means sacrificing the allure of quick wins. We’re fortunate to have supporters who appreciate this, but it is a continuous effort that requires patience and trust. Although it’s not always easy to quantify, at Penny Appeal USA our focus is to navigate slow and steady changes that make a big difference in the life of not just one individual, but his/her family, and the community at large. This doesn’t mean short-term metrics are of no value, but we aim to balance this with demonstrating long-term impact.
2. Sustainable Solutions over Quick Fixes: It’s easy to feel pressure to implement band-aid solutions to address immediate needs, rather than investing in sustainable solutions that require time, resources, and long-term commitment.
Though we remain committed to creating systemic change where possible, we recognize the need for a balance between addressing immediate needs and investing in long-term solutions. As an example, while the situation in Gaza continues to worsen, we recognize the need for immediate relief, and are simultaneously planning and raising funds for the road ahead.
We aspire to not only create lasting impact, but working with local partners allows us to cater towards the unique needs of the community. This is one reason why our Income Generation program is especially impactful, as it allows us to balance both short and long-term goals in a community. By giving beneficiaries the tools to earn a source of income, we are creating meaningful lasting change.
3. Meaningful Results over Instant Results: In a world driven by instant results and instant communication, there is a tendency for the public to expect immediate impact reports from organizations. This can create unrealistic expectations and undermine the patience and perseverance required for meaningful, lasting change.
As an example, at Penny Appeal USA we recognize that we don’t have the fastest turnaround time on a well construction as our partners ‘go-to-work’ after a complete donation is made. We are intentional not only about the work we do, but where we do it. Operating in challenging locations comes at the cost of a slower turnaround, and acknowledgement of the fact that the economic and political climate can play a part in project timelines. While this can be challenging for donors to accept at first, we’re fortunate to have supporters who see the value in funding projects that don’t always operate on a cookie-cutter timeline.
By educating donors on some of the behind the scenes of our projects they’re able to understand some of the ‘why’ behind it all. Serving a community that would have been overlooked holds a special value, and though the results may not be instant, they are meaningful and lasting.
As with any industry, there is a need to evolve as the ecosystem we operate in changes, be it social, political or environmental. However, our goal at Penny Appeal USA is to find the balance while still staying true to our core mission and values. Though this is challenging at times it is what brings value to what we do, and we’re honored to be able to bring meaningful change in communities around the world.