Charities cancel events over coronavirus, fear fundraising crash

For the Fraser-based nonprofit CARE of Southeastern Michigan, the COVID-19 outbreak means shutting down a major spring fundraising event. The organization offers comprehensive behavioral health services aimed at reducing stigma and promoting recovery from substance abuse.

“CARE for Taste” was scheduled to take place at the GM Heritage Center in Sterling Heights on April 21. President and CEO Monique Stanton said her organization could lose up to $60,000 as a result.

The venue canceled, as it wasn’t permitting events of more than 30 people due to COVID-19, Stanton said, even before COVID-19 cases were discovered in Michigan.

“Canceling the fundraiser is going to have a major financial impact on CARE’s unrestricted revenue,” she said.

Stanton said she’s now checking with sponsors and asking if they’re willing to contribute an equal amount to what they paid for their event ticket to offset that loss.

That unrestricted revenue is money that helps CARE’s entire organization and isn’t spent on one specific program. Stanton added that she expects the COVID-19 pandemic also will impact donations, overall.

“As time goes on, some people may not be able to go to work and that’s also going to have an impact on how they spend money,” said Stanton.

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