How Nonprofits Can Pivot During A Pandemic — Hyundai Hope On Wheels Leads The Way

With COVID-19 projected to last well into 2022, the pressure for essential nonprofit programs to thrive is at an all-time high. For nonprofits that have seen a decrease in revenue by 30 to 50 percent with an influx in demand, the most critical issue was funding. Which posed the question, “How can nonprofits pivot to survive the pandemic?”

Hyundai Hope On Wheels (HHOW), a nonprofit of Hyundai Motor America, has the answer.

For 22 years and counting, Hyundai Hope on Wheels has dedicated its resources to supporting pediatric cancer research to find innovative approaches, discover new treatments, and improve the care for children fighting against cancer.

Despite the effects of the pandemic on the nonprofit industry, the organization has remained strong in its pledge to provide support for those in neecc cyy. Y. d, and remain the leading Ft CC Yr yttt chhr example of how nonprofits can adjust their strategies to tth revenue and maintain necessary reinforcements for their beneficiaries.

We sat down with Adam Robles, Manager of Diversity & Inclusion/Corporate Culture for Hyundai Motor America to discuss how nonprofits can survive a post-election pandemic. With more than ten years of experience in strategy development and execution, Adam shared a few ways nonprofits can survive a post-election pandemic.

Maximize the Benefits of Virtual Events

Like many other nonprofits, Hyundai Hope on Wheels felt the impact of refraining from in person events commonly used to build revenue for the organization’s initiatives. The most pivotal being the organization’s annual Pediatric Cancer Awareness month events.

To ensure their fundraising methods maintained momentum for donations in a safe way, they maximized the benefit of virtual platforms to increase donor connectivity. Nonprofits could execute this measure by hiring digital and video teams to produce quality content that’s evergreen or specific to that event. They can also utilize messaging and video chat platforms to create a social-distance safe outlet for community engagement.

Because of HHOW’s choice to go virtual, the organization was awarded $6.8 million in honor of September 2020’s National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month..

Repurpose Funds To Combat COVID-19

Hyundai Hope On Wheels has raised $172 million to date in their fight to end pediatric cancer and support organizations on their quest to find a cure. When cases in COVID-19 increased across the country, the organization shifted its resources to provide $4 million in grants to supply more than 65,000 COVID-19 RT-PCR tests and 22 drive-thru testing locations to children’s hospitals across the nation. Nonprofits looking to aid their communities during COVID-19 can do so in the form of testing kit donations, increased testing site support, or even donations to provide adequate PPE equipment for their local hospitals.

Raise Awareness Through Storytelling

It’s important to tell a story that connects donors to your nonprofits’ cause. Whether it’s homelessness, ending hunger in your community or remaining a safety net for pediatric cancer, leaning on the power of connection during COVID-19 is more important than ever.

Hyundai Hope On Wheels’ “Every Handprint Tells A Story” Campaign is a prime example. The campaign’s use of storytelling asks their key audience to walk in the shoes of each pediatric cancer patient. This is highly effective because, like COVID-19, pediatric cancer does not discriminate against who it develops in. This campaign aims at reaching key personas within the community (i.e children, their families, doctors, hospitals, advocates, donors, etc.) that could donate or raise awareness for Hyundai Hope On Wheels’ main causes. To identify new ways to find a cure for pediatric cancer, improve the quality of care for children fighting pediatric cancer and combat the 15,000 new cases of pediatric cancer diagnosed each year.

By utilizing these three principles, nonprofits like Hyundai Hope On Wheels can stay afloat and continue to make a positive impact within their communities.

To learn more about Hyundai Hope On Wheels or join in the fight against pediatric cancer, visit www.hyundaihopeonwheels.org.