September 17 is "North Texas Giving Day," when nonprofits hold fundraisers and try to raise awareness for their causes. In 2019, the Communities Foundation of Texas says about 3,300 non-profits raised $50 million.
The Center for Nonprofit Enhancement says up to a third of nonprofits may not survive this year because of increased need during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Typically, there's a contingency, but this is all over and above our normal expenses," says Albert Reyes, the chief executive officer of Buckner International. "As our government regulations change, we have another layer of testing or equipment."
Buckner International operates Buckner Children and Family Services and Buckner Retirement Services. Buckner Children and Family Services provides foster care and adoption for children who may have been neglected.
Reyes says the children and family services part of his organization has been stressed by increased cases of abuse and neglect since the pandemic started. He says costs have also increased because volunteers have had to follow additional guidelines and buy personal protective equipment.
"It is tough. Our staff, I call them my heroes because at the beginning, they had to go into homes without PPE because it wasn't available when we had to do inspections and check-ups," he says. "COVID hasn't stopped us. It just caused us to find creative ways to continue to serve families who really need help."
Reyes says court hearings can now take place online, reducing one step that would put children and volunteers at risk.
Buckner International also runs "family hope centers" to provide family coaching, and "family pathways," which can help parents attend their own virtual classes to try to get college degrees while children learn remotely.
Buckner Retirement Services provides senior living. During Hurricane Laura, Ventana by Buckner in Dallas took in 49 residents who had been evacuated from one of the organization's facilities in Beaumont, along with 35 staff and caregivers.
"When you put that on top of COVID, that just exacerbated the issues and problems they dealt with," Reyes says.
Buckner International is raising money HERE.
Other non-profits participating in North Texas Giving Day can be found HERE.