Reflections on Nonprofit Community Building During COVID-19

Abstract

Abstract

This essay presents an exploratory evaluation conducted within a scholarship and mentoring nonprofit organization during the COVID-19 pandemic. During this time, I held dual roles as a program coordinator and a graduate student in the Applied Anthropology program at San Jose State University. Balancing these responsibilities, I applied emerging research skills to assess organizational programming and identify opportunities for improvement. The evaluation relied on a survey distributed to active mentors and college students participating in a program supporting first-generation, low-income students pursuing higher education. Survey findings revealed shared concerns, including the need for stronger mentor training, more consistent communication between staff and volunteers, and limited opportunities for community building among participants. These insights informed the development and implementation of low-cost, accessible initiatives, such as virtual mentor roundtables, training workshops, and a pilot student leadership program. This article highlights both the challenges and opportunities faced by early-career applied anthropologists working within organizations while managing institutional responsibilities and research goals. It emphasizes how accessible tools, exploratory evaluation methods, and practitioner reflexivity can produce actionable insights, even in resource-constrained environments, and underscores the importance of adaptability and self-advocacy in driving meaningful organizational change.