The world's business environment has changed and grown over the last year, and challenges have arisen that companies need to meet if they are to remain successful. Nonprofits have faced their shares of ups and downs in recent years, but many of them have managed to weather the storm successfully.
However, the current global situation may lead to a different outcome if organizations aren't adequately prepared to deal with it. But how does a nonprofit know what these challenges are and combat them? Ten leaders from Forbes Nonprofit Council discuss these major global challenges and suggest ways organizations can rise to the challenge of overcoming them.
Members of Forbes Nonprofit Council share obstacles that global organizations are currently facing.
Photos courtesy of the individual members.1. Health Disparities And Income Inequality
Health disparities and income inequality are inextricably linked. Rising global health issues such as diabetes, cancer and chronic respiratory conditions—only made worse by Covid-19—have a disproportionately negative impact on the most vulnerable. Our organization is hiring a Chief Health Equity Officer and prioritizing health equity programs and community coalitions to address these issues. - Thomas Bognanno, CHC: Creating Healthier Communities
2. The Epidemic Of Loneliness
Global organizations are facing one major challenge: the epidemic of loneliness that remote employees feel due to the pandemic. In assisting organizations with curbing the epidemic of loneliness, our organization created the GC4W Circle Network with the mission to support women within an organization as they transition into this new normal and what is required of them as employees. - Dr. Lilian Ajayi-Ore, Global Connections for Women Foundation
Forbes Nonprofit Council is an invitation-only organization for chief executives in successful nonprofit organizations. Do I qualify?
3. Dismantling White Supremacy
A major challenge is recognizing and dismantling white supremacy and racism, which are embedded in organizational structures and cultures, particularly in global health and development. As a woman of color CEO, I’m actively examining how I have experienced or even perpetuated racism. Organizationally, we are moving toward a shared leadership approach—critically examining everything from recruitment to program design. - Anu Kumar, Ipas
4. Limitations Of Remote Work
One challenge global organizations are facing is that remote work has limitations. Nonprofit work is very relational—it is felt— and trying to keep stakeholders engaged is challenging. We are exploring innovative ways to build virtual communities through virtual coffee dates, physical activity and shared recreational experiences. - Courtney Smith, Detroit Phoenix Center
5. Cross-Border Collaboration
Cross-border collaboration, which relies on international travel, is inhibited by travel restrictions. To address this challenge, many nonprofits are developing “new media literacies” and using social platforms to coordinate with colleagues at great distances. Popular social media platforms can aid in nurturing interactions, sharing information and collaborating on international projects. - Christopher Washington, Franklin University
6. Food Shortages
Global food shortages are a major challenge. Proper utilization and stewardship of natural resources are a must as we are headed toward 2050. In just 29 years, we will need 80-90% more food than we have today. Unfortunately, we will not have 80-90% more land or water resources. Empowering young people with best practices, a world view and applicable STEM skills ensures they can meet our future food needs. We are doing it. - Aaron Alejandro, Texas FFA Foundation
7. Lack Of Education Resources
The pandemic has left millions of children around the world without proper education resources. At the Burger King foundation our nonprofit partners have shifted to provide virtual libraries, broadcast curriculum and mentorship to bring teachers and students closer together. It’s now crucial, more than ever, to listen to partners and pivot to provide quick aid to those most affected. - Amanda Israel, Burger King Foundation
8. Navigating Different Regional Regulations
The biggest hurdle for global operations is navigating a spider’s web of different regulations and requirements in each country. Empower your programs to operate with flexibility in different countries and regions. Maximize effectiveness, not conformity. - Robin Ganzert, American Humane
9. Keeping Stakeholder Privacy Safe
Amid Covid-19, with a new U.S. Administration, the final Brexit chapter and the CJEU Schrems II decision shaking up the privacy landscape, global business leaders are trying to keep stakeholder privacy safe while navigating a shifting ground. Organizations conducting cross-border data transfer and digital trade should consider global data ethics and strengthen their privacy compliance posture. - Eric Reicin, BBB National Programs
10. Different Pandemic Stages Globally
The one major challenge global organizations are currently facing is that every country is in a different situation related to the pandemic. Therefore, it is difficult to coordinate a uniform, global approach to deliver programming and monitor outcomes. While this is not the ideal scenario, we will continue to offer students engaging online and virtual robotics programming. - Dan Mantz, Robotics Education & Competition (REC) Foundation
