What has been a “happy accident” that ended up benefitting your nonprofit?

Outdoor Engagements Boost Donor Relationships

I’m not sure if this qualifies, but I work for an environmental organization, (the statewide, independent NH Audubon). I was hired as a fundraiser just as COVID-19 lockdowns went into effect.

Lacking the ability to visit donors in their homes, businesses, or at restaurants, we instituted a series of birding walks outdoors during spring migration, and invited our top donors to join our president on these.

We just wrapped up our fourth year of these walks. We do them on properties we own and manage throughout the state, and usually one or more trustees join us. It’s a great way to connect via our mission.

In addition to finding birds, we talk about the property, what’s new at our organization, answer questions, and sometimes have surprising incidents, like moose or porcupine visitors.

— Hope from NH Audubon

New Space, Overwhelming Community Response

When the DC LGBTQ+ Community Center first expanded our services in our new home, the vision was clear, we wanted to better serve and support the LGBTQ+ community in a space that could offer more resources, a more welcoming environment, and a place for connection.

But what no one could have predicted was the overwhelming and positive response to this expansion.

— Paul from The DC LGBTQ+ Community Center

Accidental Outreach Doubles Donations

We accidentally sent a newsletter to our entire mailing list instead of just a small segment — and it ended up bringing in double the donations we expected.

Turns out, people who hadn’t heard from us in a while were happy to re-engage. It sparked a conversation internally about how we were “underusing” our list and helped us revamp our outreach strategy.

— Anonymous

Gala Setback Becomes Community-Powered Success

At first, we weren’t sure our Empower Her Gala would even happen. We had secured a venue and were deep into planning when a major funder pulled out at the last minute. It felt like a devastating blow, how could we host a celebration without the financial support we were counting on?

But something beautiful happened.

We shared our story and need with our community. Women showed up. Small businesses offered in-kind donations. One woman donated her time to design the gala decor. Another offered to sponsor the desserts. What started as a funding setback became a ripple effect of collective generosity.

The gala turned out to be the most impactful event we’ve ever held. Over 100 women attended. We secured new community partners, raised $3,000 in grassroots donations that night, and gained two long-term sponsors. Several guests reached out afterward to offer their skills, from therapy to grant writing.

That night didn’t just celebrate women, it re-energized our mission. What felt like a crisis became a catalyst. We saw, first-hand, that our community believes in what we’re building. And that changed everything.

— Zahraa Alrafish from Arab Women United

Double-Booked Event Leads to Record Clean-Up and New Partnerships

At Bright Horizons Youth Center, one of our happiest accidents happened during a community clean-up event last spring. We had mistakenly double-booked two local school groups for the same Saturday morning.

At first, we were worried about overcrowding and logistics, but it turned out to be a fantastic opportunity. The students from both schools not only worked together, but also sparked a friendly rivalry to see who could collect the most litter.

This unexpected collaboration led to a record turnout and the cleanest park we’ve ever seen!

Even better, the two schools decided to form a joint “Green Team” that now volunteers monthly with our organization.

This happy accident not only expanded our volunteer base but also helped us forge stronger partnerships with local schools. It taught us to embrace the unexpected and look for opportunities in every challenge.

— Emily C. from Bright Horizons Youth Center

Note: The opinions and product/service recommendations expressed above are solely those of the participants and do not necessarily represent those of Blue Avocado. Submissions may be edited for length and clarity.