The Future of CFWA
How can CFWA survive in the face of this global pandemic?
The full impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is only just beginning to be felt across Australia.
Researchers in Australia estimate that the not-for-profit sector will be hit hardest, with over 11,400 charities likely to close their doors in the first half of 2021, putting around 220,000 charity workers out of work.
Here at CFWA, we have been fortunate so far with low community transmission and fantastic support from State and Federal Governments. This has offset the ~40% fall in donations and fundraising that we have experienced in the first half of this year, but is clearly not sustainable. We need to set in place changes now if we are to survive and thrive in a post COVID world.
Recovery will likely be measured in years not weeks.
Whilst CFWA needs a strong and vibrant economy to thrive, we have also worked hard over the past decade to build up reserves so we can weather this storm and emerge from it stronger. But it is likely that the post COVID world will be very different to 2019. Services to people living with CF will be maintained.
We have a contract with the State Government which guarantees base line services to the end of June next year and we are working hard to extend this for another five years.
What do we need to do now to prepare?
Firstly, thanks to our staff and Board, we have been able to rapidly re-structure our fundraising and service delivery models, moving a lot of activity on-line. We will keep this functionality as we recover and continue to refine it. We will also be able to leverage this technology to provide better access to services for people living with CF across the State.
Secondly, we are currently undertaking a strategic planning process which many of you will have already participated in, either through focus group work or by being one of 141 people who responding to our huge needs survey.
This strategic plan is looking at ways of not only maintaining but growing our service provision to people living with CF and their families. This will necessitate increasing income from contracts and fundraising activities and possibly providing services to other groups for a profit. Whatever the solution, please rest assured that CFWA will always be controlled by people living with CF their families and their carers and be here for their benefit.
We may need to tweak our Constitution to help us respond flexibly to the challenges we are facing. I will keep you informed of our progress over the next few months but would like to thank you most sincerely for your help and support during this unprecedented time.
N M Barker CEO CFWA