The Sky is Falling!
Not really, but sheesh it sure feels like it...
It definitely feels like we are trapped at a three-ring circus in the newly opened 10th circle of Hell. There is so much uncertainty, chaos, and misdirection coming at us at whiplash-inducing speeds. It can feel overwhelming, and for many nonprofits, it has become overwhelming.
Our friends at The Agitator — https://agitator.thedonorvoice.com/ — have shared some practical, tangible ideas for what to do right now. These ideas are timely and a great reminder of why we must keep going.
There were a few that resonated:
Data — if there was ever a time when having good data and a good tool to use that data was crucial, now is the time. Look from the inside out; who do you know? Who knows you? Who has been a supporter, but maybe you haven’t heard from them in a while? Now is the time to deliver relevant, timely information across your platforms.
The Board — your board needs to step up. They need to promote the work, engage current or new supporters, and not become paralyzed with fear and then react by taking a hatchet to everything the organization does.
Asking — you have to keep asking. DO NOT go silent, assuming what your donors can / cannot do or what they may want to do. If you stay silent, don’t be surprised if your donors disappear.
Continue to offer them ways to support your efforts, and don’t hesitate to encourage them to share your work with people they know who should know about you.
This is not the first time, and it won’t be the last time that we face challenges that feel insurmountable. But history doesn’t remember the easy chapters—it remembers the people who showed up when it was hard.
So, show up. Stay loud. Keep asking. Use your data like a spotlight, not a rearview mirror. Activate your board like your mission depends on it—because it does. In the chaos, be the signal. In the noise, be the voice of purpose. And in the overwhelm, remember: this work has never been about ease—it’s always been about impact.
Let’s keep going.
Auxilia is hosting a pop-up webinar on grants on Thursday, April 17. You can register for this free webinar here: https://theauxilia.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_VPaYsPxLSm-FBCr8fTlGjQ#/registration