Your nonprofit team is facing funding challenges. How can you address them without causing panic?

In my experience, I've tried to address these challenges as plainly as possible; here is the current situation, this is how I'd like to address it, and this is what I anticipate the results to be. I then ask the team to share with me what issues or concerns they may see or have with the plan. I always want to include them in the planning, and I also keep in mind that there are times when it's my responsibility to make decisions that are best for the team and organization. When I know there may be a step in the process that could be upsetting, I work to find options before going into the meeting so that we can more easily come to a compromise that will feel good to all team members and continue to move the needle forward.

I think definitely staying calm but specifically making sure that you're giving your team transparency and clarity as much and as often as you can—people know that challenges come up and that those can change how their workplace looks and runs but the less those types of impacts can come as a surprise, the better you'll be able to maintain cohesion and morale if/when they do and keep people focused on the mission.

Stay calm and focus on solutions. Reframe funding challenges as an opportunity to strengthen relationships through "friend-raising." Engage your team in proactive problem-solving, emphasizing personal connections and long-term partnerships. Use storytelling to connect with supporters, host intimate gatherings to build community, and explore value-driven collaborations. Innovate your engagement strategies and regularly acknowledge the impact of your supporters. By staying calm and focusing on relationships, you'll create a stronger, more resilient foundation for your nonprofit's future.

It’s very difficult to find volunteers to help with fundraising efforts and it’s easy to start to panic when you feel like you’re falling behind. The best thing to do is stay calm and encourage others to do the same. Work with the group that you presently have at the table and solidify additional connections in their sphere of influence that may help generate additional ideas, volunteer, and/or make a donation. Come up with a plan if not already in motion and work that plan, tweaking where necessary. This will help keep the ball rolling instead of it stopping all together.

When facing funding challenges it is important for the entire team to understand the gaps in funding and contribute to solutions by finding cost efficiencies and sharing funding opportunities with their network. Every savings and every dollar helps you reach the goal.

As a leader it is important to be honest, but not threatening. It is vital to come together as a team and recognize each other's strengths. Think creatively and realistically. Turn the discussion to how to grow the organization instead of focusing solely on the challenges. Is there something new to offer clients/members? Is there a way to bring new donors, members, others into the organization? Are there ideas for expansion that have not been fully explored? Are there funders or partners that have not been approached? It is the leader's job to encourage open and focused strategic thinking. Lead the team through prioritizing options, craft an operational plan for concretely approaching prioritized strategies, and check back as a team.