The nonprofit has an opportunity to tell the story of how the organization adapted to tremendous external changes in the last year.
AFHU has long been a highly responsive, flexible, and committed partner to HU. That practice has served both organizations well throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. With support from HU Alumni and AFHU donors and volunteers, AFHU was able to pivot in February 2020 to meet the increased need of students (Bachelor’s degree through Post-Doctoral) for financial aid and scholarships; to help the University in its efforts to address the wider needs of the Jerusalem community; and to continue to support Israeli and global “Tikkun Olam” initiatives ‘to heal the world.’ Simultaneously, the AFHU constituency has supported advances in research and research facilities in order to further work toward the rapid diagnosis, treatment, cure, and prevention of COVID-19.
Given its experience as a national organization with multiple regions that is part of an international network of friends groups, AFHU came into the pandemic with experience in using technology to communicate and share resources. Nevertheless, the organization still needed to expand digital technology, training, and equipment. The result has been successful outreach, communication, education, fundraising cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and daily operations throughout the pandemic.
AFHU has been able to adapt traditional in-person regional education and special events into fully virtual and hybrid offerings that encourage wider national and international participation. Alumni events have become virtual interactive opportunities for people to get acquainted, learn about developments at the university, and share information. Educational learning presentations in real-time and as downloadable webinars available on the website and YouTube -- have gained in popularity and have acted as a substitute for in-person events. AFHU began holding constituent calls with HU faculty/administrators and in some cases, traditional donor written reports were enhanced with live Zoom meetings between benefactors and recipients