It is almost the end of March, which also means an end to the month where prospect researchers celebrate their #researchpride. This year March has been a difficult one – due to COVID-19 there have been huge changes in the last month, not only in the non-profit world but in all sectors. Many people have made the transition to work from home and many others have found themselves on the hunt for new employment.

Usually March is one of my favourite times of the year – #researchpride month, St. Patrick’s Day, three birthdays in our house to celebrate, and the first beautiful days outside after a cold Winnipeg winter. This year March has meant the kids home from school and the start of homeschooling; the postponing of birthday parties and dance competitions; in-person meetings and coffee-dates being changed to virtual ones; worry; and a lot of uncertainty about what will happen in the coming months.

But even with all of the difficulty I feel a sense of optimism in the industry. And there are so many things to be proud of. There has been so much sharing of knowledge and free resources both within the prospect research community and within the greater non-profit community on Twitter, LinkedIn, blogs, you name it. There have been Zoom happy hours initiated and free webinars created across the industry. And there have been so many individuals reaching out to each other to assist in this tough time.

It is not an easy time to be in the fundraising industry, but this too will pass. In the meantime I am proud to be a part of it, as both a prospect researcher and a consultant.