Let’s talk about the elephant in the room—federal funding cuts. The recent executive order has left many nonprofit leaders feeling uneasy, even fearful. But here’s the truth: fear won’t fund your mission. Action will.
Now, more than ever, we need to rethink how we engage donors, expand our impact, and solidify our authority. Today, I’m sharing three principles that are non-negotiable in this new reality: Be Additive, Be an Authority, and Be Interruptive. These aren’t just strategies; they’re survival skills. Let’s dive in.
- Be Additive – Expand the Donor Pool
The donor pool is shrinking. Economic shifts, changing beliefs, and evolving donation behaviors mean that relying on the same supporters year after year is no longer sustainable. If we don’t grow the pool, competition for existing donors will be brutal.
How do we do this? Stop treating donors as a finite resource. Instead, be the bridge that brings new people into the giving ecosystem. Find ways to engage non-traditional supporters—corporate partners, younger generations, and even skeptics who don’t yet see the value in your work.
Example: A food security nonprofit partners with local restaurants, introducing donation opt-ins at checkout. These aren’t the typical donors, but the nonprofit can collect thousands of new micro-donors who might become long-term supporters.
- Be an Authority – Lead the Conversation
You are the expert in solving the problem your nonprofit exists to address. So be the loudest and most trusted voice in the conversation.
Nonprofits that establish authority build trust. Trust builds relationships. Relationships lead to sustained support. Share your expertise, educate your audience, and connect their pain points to their world. Don’t overthink your authority position or get intimidated. You don’t have to be the expert in every area, but how your unique approach, partnerships, beliefs, and experience is the best investment in positive change.
Example: A domestic violence shelter doesn’t just ask for donations—they educate the public on red flags, legal rights, and community resources. They became the go-to authority on the issue, which creates donor confidence and deeper engagement.
- Be Interruptive – Stop Waiting, Start Engaging
Your supporters should not have to find you. They may never look. You have to meet them where they are and connect your mission to their world. Stop waiting for people to opt into your mission—get in their world.
That means showing up in unexpected places: business conferences, LinkedIn discussions, TikTok trends—wherever people are paying attention. It means crafting messages that demand engagement, not just politely request it.
Example: A food bank nonprofit develops a social media series that showcases the problematic choices made daily by individuals experiencing food insecurity, such as deciding between groceries or a utility bill. Promoting the posts reached new audiences—many of whom had never considered food insecurity before.
Now is the time to be bold. Be additive—grow your reach. Be an authority—own your expertise. Be interruptive—go where your audience is. The federal climate will remain uncertain, but your impact doesn’t have to shrink.
The nonprofits that thrive in this new landscape will be the ones that adapt. Will you be one of them? What’s one bold action your nonprofit is taking right now? Let’s start a movement together.
Unapologetically,
Jane
