With events canceled, nonprofits turn to private, government support

Many big events canceled or put on hold by the coronavirus crisis are charity functions. Spring's marathons, galas and dinners are annual fundraisers, and without them, organizations will take a financial hit. 

The Tobacco Road Marathon, originally scheduled for Saturday, put 4,000 runners on the sideline when it was canceled, and that hurts for the charities that rely on the money they raise: the American Red Cross, Juvenile Diabetes Foundation and Hope for the Warriors, a veterans organization.

Liz Johnson, with the Raleigh Durham Pancreatic Cancer Network, said the decision to cancel this year's Purple Strike Run/Walk slated for next month in Raleigh was very difficult.

"The program that we offer depends on Purple Stride," she said.

At the North Carolina Center for Nonprofits, David Heinen suggested that groups might turn to virtual fundraisers or seek donations and grants from government agencies.

"To the extent that they could allow nonprofits to have grants or contracts that are very directed for a particular purpose used instead as general operating support, that flexibility would be very helpful," he said