For almost a month, Robin Hasenpflug practiced her role on the cello for a new Butler County Symphony Orchestra concert when the April 11 event was canceled in response to the spread of the coronavirus.

“It was a bummer. We were all looking forward,” said Hasenpflug, who lived in Butler for 11 years before moving with her husband to Aspinwall. “Rehearsal is a big part of what we do. We practice our butts off and me and the other (symphony) musicians started talking about it on Facebook, getting excited to a fevered pitch.”

By March 16 that excitement deflated in the face of measures taken by the government to reduce the spread of the pandemic.

“I just remember looking at my phone with all these updates and within 48 hours it was all closed. I guess I saw it coming,” said Hasenpflug, who made the majority of her income playing for orchestras in the region. “But I wasn't ready for the financial impact and the emotional side.”

The concert would have featured J. Oliver Choo, a young artist who recently won the Orchestra's 2020 Young Artist Competition, and a musical piece that Hasenpflug described as challenging and rewarding to play.

But perhaps more importantly, it would have brought in a sizable chunk of money to support the symphony's programming, according to Patricia Stagno, the symphony's board president. Stagno said she hopes to be able to hold the event next spring.

From the arts to medical care, nonprofits like the Butler Arts Center, the city-based symphony, the Jean B. Purvis Community Health Center, a number of museums and historic societies are losing their main forms of generating revenue such as dinners, performances, exhibits and activities as coronavirus precautions force people to physically distance themselves.

And as these organizations grapple with plummeting revenue, they are turning to alternative forms online to connect with their patrons in an attempt to recover some of that lost funding, according to interviews with nonprofit leaders in Butler County.

Perfect storm

“This a perfect storm. It's a time when people are in really dire need of support services from different nonprofit organizations,” said Jim Cunningham, director of development at the health clinic. “So at a time when nonprofits are struggling financially, there's a greater need for their services.”

The organization had to push an April 30 award ceremony to June 26. Cunningham hopes he isn't being overly optimistic about that date.

The health clinic at 103 Bonnie Drive aims to provide people with free medical care if they don't have insurance or their health insurance is too expensive. The clinic staff provides basic medical care, dental work and various forms of therapy for patients, and they will connect them with doctors who volunteer their time.

To make these and other services available, Cunningham said, they have to raise an annual budget of $485,000. The April awards dinner traditionally brings the organization about $45,000 to $50,000.

The organization's fiscal year ends in August and Cunningham said he isn't worried about this fiscal year, since most of it took place during the financial boon of pre-virus days. It's next fiscal year he's worried about.

To counter the possible loss of event funds, Cunningham said the board is considering ways to raise money online, but haven't cemented any plans yet.

“A lot of people are out of work and a lot of our donations come from average people so they'll be worried about giving their money away now,” Cunningham said, noting that he's seen a drop in daily contributions. “People are going to hold on to what they have and be reluctant to do any significant giving.

“It has me concerned more for the future.”

Cunningham has more than 40 years of experience in fundraising and works as a consultant for Gronlund Sayther Brunkow where he helps other nonprofits develop charity campaigns.

“The domino effect is just incredible,” he said. “We've had downturns, like in 2008, but everybody survived that. But we've never dealt with anything like this — where we've had a total shutdown of the economy and a stock market in free fall, and while that's happening, people need our help more than ever.”

He added that other nonprofits are facing the same issues.

“Everybody is in the same boat,” Cunningham said. “I'm sure it's going to get better, but it won't get better magically on May 1 with the push of the button like (President Donald) Trump thinks.”

United Way

In Butler County, 14 nonprofit organizations received $250,000 in grants over the last year from United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania, according to Amy Franz, the organization's Butler regent director.

The organization has chapters worldwide and is also a nonprofit. Much of what they do is help other nonprofits, but Franz worried they may not receive enough donations for next fiscal year's efforts.

She noted that United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania doesn't receive funds from the parent organization and it relies solely on donations from the community. With layoffs reaching record highs, Franz said that could reduce the amount they will receive in donations.

“There's no bailout for us,” Franz said. “The events of the past few weeks have helped us hone in on our role of meeting basic needs.”

She continued, “It's been an interesting time for partnerships between us and other nonprofits. Some are being strengthened, others are being forged and unfortunately some are being tested. It becomes more evident that a lot of nonprofits are essential. They're now at the forefront.”

Adapting

For Stephen Haley, Associated Arts of Butler County gallery director who runs the Butler Arts Center on Main Street, the new complications of fundraising are just part of the process.

“Anytime you're working on art, something happens where you have to adapt and switch somehow,” Haley said. “This is no different from a piece of painting pottery.”

Before everyday life was stalled, Haley said, the arts center was experiencing a period of growth, with increased attention and excitement around the art exhibits along with musical performances.

“It's very hard to make money now because it's not just one section of society that was hit,” Haley said.

Haley and the center's board are working on developing art classes on YouTube where people who are sheltering at home can tune in to learn or hone their craft skills.

“We have a feeling people are getting bored so we have ideas to raise funds by teaching people,” Haley said. Starting next week the center will begin offering classes on painting, sculpture and other arts related programs.

He said that eventually, when the restrictions on physical gatherings are lifted, the center plans on holding a “Quarantine Art Show” featuring its house band Trevolta.

“There's something for everyone here,” Haley said.