Nonprofit budget uncertainty in Trump 2.0: three ways to get proactive

The chaos created by the Trump Administration's federal funding freeze is far from over. While the initial January order was rescinded, many nonprofit and community-based organizations working to meet essential community needs are still struggling to access existing federal grants–and remain deeply worried about the availability of federal funding in the years ahead.

With looming cuts to critical government programs like Medicaid, we need strong community-based organizations–to provide nourishing food for children and elders, expand access to safe housing, deliver essential health care and support services, and beyond. In this moment, fear and anger are completely valid. And it’s crucial that we also get proactive–to protect our own budgets and to maintain strength as a sector and as a community. Here are three ways to get started: 

Reach out to your non-federal funders and let them know you need their support: Now is the time to connect openly and transparently with your non-federal funders–including private foundations and individual donors–about your needs as an organization. There’s never been a more important time to remind your funders why your organization matters, and the unique ways you serve your community and stakeholders. Share your wins proudly–and let funders know you need their strong and consistent support. Don’t feel you need to wait to submit a grant report or official letter–a simple email in your authentic voice can go a long way. 

For our part, we’ve been calling on philanthropy to act now, and we encourage everyone else in our community to do the same. It’s difficult to imagine a more critical moment for philanthropy to stand in solidarity with community-based organizations fighting against the dismantling of our most basic rights. We believe it’s time for philanthropy to stand in its power, open endowments, and go beyond what’s expected. But they need to hear from all of us about the urgency of this moment. 

Identify prospective donors who are motivated by the Trump Administration’s attacks on communities: We know there are many foundations and individuals wanting to take action and resist the damage being done to communities. But with need overflowing and so many critical programs at stake, it’s easy to become overwhelmed. This is a moment we need to connect community based organizations with funders and grantmakers that truly align with each other–to form partnerships grounded in trust and a shared vision for the future.

Despite the urgency of this moment, take a breath–and then take some time for research. Prospecting potential new funders that understand your mission and vision as an organization is worth the effort. There are some excellent databases that can speed the process–including Foundation Directory–that you may be able to access through your local library. Another approach: dive into the annual reports of some of your peer organizations to look for ideas on funders with interest in your approach.

Connect with your community, including fellow nonprofits: This is a moment for solidarity and community. Particularly when it comes to fundraising, nonprofits often feel a sense of constant competition to outshine every other organization. But as nonprofits, we also know the power of working together. Consider connecting with other organizations to brainstorm on strategies to unlock resources together. Think about ways to partner–to work on a proposal or grant together, or approach a funder collectively around a series of community needs. That kind of collaboration strengthens our relationships, reduces competition, and produces even greater gifts and longer-term sustainability. 

Need hands-on help? The Emergence team has availability to take on new fundraising clients! 🌿Connect with us here 🌿to book a free consultation call!