To my fellow nonprofit fundraising and volunteer engagement professionals…
It’s a fair guess that I’m not the only person working in this space who has a longer list of questions than answers in terms of how to move forward in the current climate of uncertainty. Sorting out what’s actually happened is a struggle on most days. Our industries, organizations, colleagues, and constituents are attempting to stay on top of policy changes that may affect funding, partners, offered programs, etc. As changes are implemented, and their impact becomes more clear, it will be easier to figure out what comes next. What do we do in the meantime?
Before I dig into this question, let me offer an important note. I don’t like the feeling of being in crisis. It freezes me and makes any anxiety I feel over what’s unfolding worse. Finding a way through it is my natural inclination. That’s why I’m writing this. My post is intended to offer a way forward to those who may feel stuck. It’s not my intent to make light of the obstacles or uncertainty we all face.
So, what do we do?
A few years ago, I participated in a webinar for fundraisers. The world was sideways from COVID and my colleagues and I were looking for insights on how to adjust our work to suit the moment. During that webinar, a nugget of wisdom was offered that, since, has been my North Star. “People don’t give to you or to your organization. They give through you and your organization to the things that matter most to them in life. Your organization’s reputation, reach, and capacity are their vehicle to influencing the change they hope to see in the world.” I wish I could remember the presenter who offered this point so I could give proper credit.
I knew the ambitions of the volunteers and donors I worked with. They wanted to improve food security for others, cure more cancers, reduce weather catastrophes, ensure access to quality education for all, protect water sources, innovate industry, build bridges across cultural and social divides, honor the legacy of a loved one, win championships, etc. COVID didn’t change their ambitions, our mission, or our ability to be a vehicle guided by both. It changed the route.
Friends, our stakeholders need us in action mode. Imagine you are behind the wheel of a uniquely capable vehicle, with passengers counting on you to get them someplace vitally important, and you’re parked along the side of the road because you’re uncertain how to drive in changing conditions. I promise you, your passengers would prefer movement with the occasional wrong turn and flat tire over a quiet engine. In fact, they’d probably welcome the opportunity to help with the driving and mechanical repairs if you could get them to where they want to go.
What I’m attempting to convey is that now is not the time to hesitate. If funding that your organization relies on to honor its mission is collapsing, get driving. Pick up as many passengers as you can fit who are up for the journey to finding the resources necessary for the important work you are doing in the spaces they value. If your previous passengers aren’t in a position to fund the ride, ask them to help in other ways. If all paths to your original destination erode, find the next closest thing as work is done to repair the way to the original goal. It’s not just your passengers counting on you. Those connected to the outcomes they desire are counting on you, too.
Over the past few weeks, I have had some of the most meaningful exchanges of my career with volunteers, donors, colleagues, and the beneficiaries of our combined efforts. Though I’d prefer to not feel like institutions, systems, resources, and people I care about are under attack, there is something deeply unifying that occurs across those who share your mission and ambitions in times when both are threatened.
