Strategic resilience for mission-driven organizations
When faced with challenging and uncertain times, learn three ways that nonprofits can employ to strengthen their organization’s strategic resilience and remain focused on advancing their mission-driven work.
Nonprofit organizations are no strangers to uncertainty. Grant funding often comes with time limits and may not be renewed. Neither institutional grant funding nor individual donations are guaranteed for the long term. Employees may seek other opportunities or more competitive compensation. So, uncertainty is certainly familiar to those of us in the nonprofit space. But if there ever was a time when we were comfortable living with uncertainty, it certainly isn’t now, given current challenges to federal funding for mission-driven work.to fill societal services gaps.
As a nonprofit CEO, I tend to travel in circles that allow me to interface with other CEOs and executive directors on a regular basis. We love to swap stories and commiserate, but something has recently changed , as threats to federal funding and donor support have become very real. Conversations have gotten really serious. Now might be the moment to regroup and refocus on your mission.
How can nonprofits stay mission-driven
Despite the challenges facing many nonprofits, such as sustainable viability, there are still ways to stay focused on mission, vision, and service during times of uncertainty. Here are some helpful reminders to keep your organization on track during anxious times.
Strengthen connections to peers
You should never underestimate the power of people on a mission. Communication is key—especially when you’re dealing with the unknown. Starting a weekly call with other nonprofit leaders to provide space not only to vent but also to create potential opportunities to partner is essential. Strategize creative ways to support your nonprofit and partner with peer organizations. Affiliations and management agreements are a potential means to maintaining your organization’s identity and staying mission-driven while leveraging economies of scale with other nonprofits. Partnering on private grants and pooling resources may be helpful options right now. A piece of the pie is better than none at all.
Stay in touch with elected officials
Politicians are elected to be our advocates and public servants. I have found that most elected officials want to hear from their communities and rely on citizens and industries to keep them apprised of issues. The National Council of Nonprofits endorses sending letters, making phone calls, and establishing inroads with elected officials is how many nonprofit organizations stay viable. Keep abreast of budget hearings and provide testimony for the public record. Informing your staff and other stakeholders on what you’re advocating for is helpful, too. The best advice I received recently is to keep in mind that “we are at the beginning, not the end.” In other words, it helps to maintain a positive attitude and to continue to speak out.
Remember why your nonprofit exists
Every nonprofit exists for a reason, providing resources not found elsewhere. Times of uncertainty offer an opportunity to recalibrate and focus on what your organization does best. Tell your story on your website, print materials, social media, and remind your board, etc. to do the same.
Times like these call for action and assertive communication. To remain resilient during these challenging times, it’s imperative that nonprofit leaders and staff stay focused on the mission-driven work that their organizations have done—and continue to do.
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