FARGO — Many nonprofits rely on individual and corporate sponsorships from the community to continue their missions.
"We can't grant wishes without financial contributions that is just a fact," said Billi Jo Zielinski, President of Make-A-Wish North Dakota.
Zielinski heard a common message from corporate sponsors this year: We do want to be a part of this mission, it just may not be at the level it has been in the past. So many corporate partnerships still remain.
Many nonprofits rely on corporate support, like United Way Cass Clay, who said with some industries suffering more than others, donors have shifted tactics, but haven't completely stopped giving.
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"We know that those organizations that are still very busy and are seeing a very positive bottom line. We are seeing them continue to want to step forward," said Kristi Huber, president United Way of Cass Clay.
Both Make-A-Wish and United Way are experiencing this generosity.
Zielinski said corporate donations decreased at the beginning of the pandemic, and the Minnesota Nonprofit Economy Report estimates the state's non-profits lost a total of $1 billion dollars during that time.
And throughout the summer and fall, Make-A-Wish has bounced back, and even seen a small increase in dollars donated by businesses compared to this month last year.
Zielinski said her outlook is hopeful outlook for 2021.
