Late last week, I picked up the phone to a familiar voice, a nonprofit leader I’ve worked with for years. But this call didn’t start with the usual hello. It started with panic. Frustration. Defeat. And a glimmer of hope, all rolled into one shaky sentence.
Their organization is currently owed three-quarters of a million dollars under a government contract. The work has been done. The reports have been submitted. But the money? Completely stalled. And from what they’re hearing, it may never come. These are funds promised before the 2024 election, and now, they’re evaporating.
Sound familiar?
If your nonprofit is watching funding dry up, contracts hang in limbo, and political winds blow in directions you never anticipated, you’re not alone. The ground has shifted for many of us. And while there’s no magic fix, there are practical, proactive steps you can take right now.
Let’s talk about it.
Step One: Name the Reality
We are in a moment of funding uncertainty. Period. Federal and state budgets are being reevaluated. Priorities are shifting. And organizations that rely on government support, especially those doing work in justice, equity and community health, are feeling the squeeze.
Your first step? Get clear. Get honest. Don’t sugarcoat what’s happening. Because you can’t plan your way out of a storm until you admit there’s thunder.
Key Questions for Nonprofit Leaders
If you’re navigating this mess, take a breath and ask yourself:
- What is our mission and what values do we refuse to compromise?
- How will these cuts impact our programs and people?
- Is our board ready to engage more deeply and advocate on our behalf?
- Have we talked with our top donors to bring them into the conversation?
- Can we back up our concerns with both data and story?
Not every nonprofit will respond the same way. Some may rally their communities with bold advocacy. Others may quietly shift messaging to preserve services. There’s no one right answer — but there is a right-for-you answer.
Messaging in the Middle of the Storm
As a person, my gut says, “Grab the megaphone. Let’s fight.”
As a nonprofit leader? I know it’s not that simple.
If your organization provides critical services like housing, mental health support, or domestic violence intervention, your mission is to keep those doors open, even if it means softening your language publicly while staying true to your values behind the scenes.
This isn’t selling out. It’s strategy. It’s survival. And it’s ok.
8 Practical Steps to Stay Steady Right Now
Whether you are riding the wave or building a raft, these tried-and-true strategies can help you stay grounded:
1. Center your mission.
Make sure every single piece of communication points back to why you exist.
2. Tell better stories.
Funders want to see outcomes. But they also want to feel them. Use real voices from the communities you serve.
3. Strengthen your marketing.
Now is not the time to go quiet. Use your website, social media, email and earned media to stay visible.
4. Show up on social.
Go beyond posting. Engage. Thank donors. Comment back. Share behind-the-scenes content. Be real.
5. Nurture your donors.
This is your moment to over communicate with the folks who already believe in you. Keep them close.
6. Ramp up fundraising.
Do not freeze. Test new appeals. Talk to lapsed donors. Run a mini campaign. Take action. Develop a nonprofit fundraising plan.
7. Diversify income.
Think corporate sponsors. Think monthly giving. Think earned revenue if it fits your model.
8. Keep your people aligned.
Make sure staff and board understand what’s happening and are rowing in the same direction. Have them undergo nonprofit board training if you must.
Take the Long View, Too
Once the immediate scramble is addressed, start looking ahead. This is not the last storm. So prepare now.
Create a crisis communications plan.
Know what you’ll say if another contract pauses or a funder pulls out.
Fix your online presence.
Make donating easy. Make your impact obvious. Make sure people know how to help.
Update your nonprofit directory profiles.
No more stale data on Candid or Charity Navigator. These platforms matter more than you think.
Get professional PR and messaging support.
When the world is loud, your message has to be smart, strong and clear. Invest in support if you can.
Re-evaluate your marketing budget.
Yes, even now. Visibility builds trust. Trust attracts support.
We’re All Feeling This
And it’s not just professional. It’s deeply personal.
For so many of us, our work is tied to our identity. So when funding is yanked, or priorities shift in ways that threaten the very heart of what we do, it hurts. It shakes us. It can feel like an attack on everything we’ve built , and everything we believe in.
So here’s your permission slip: feel it.
And then, rally. Not just for your organization. But for each other.
Pick up the phone when another nonprofit leader calls. Share what’s working. Offer your playbook. Be the kind of support you wish someone had been for you last week.
We’ll weather this storm like we always do...with purpose, persistence, and a little bit of nonprofit magic.
Need help building a response strategy or reshaping your messaging?
Success For Nonprofits is here. We’ve got tools, trainings, nonprofit development plans, and real talk to help you move forward. Reach out if you need us.
Let’s keep doing the work that matters. Together.
