Since launching my philanthropy coaching practice last year, I’ve often returned to a core belief: charitable giving should be a fulfilling experience. When your time, talent, and treasure are aligned with your values, the experience becomes joyful and deeply personal.

But times change—and so does the landscape of giving. As nonprofits face increasing pressure from shifts in public funding and political priorities, many donors are feeling a new sense of urgency. The question isn’t just “What cause speaks to my heart?” but “How can I help sustain the causes I care about most before they’re lost?”

Evolving Messages for a Changing World

Initially, I believed the message of values-aligned giving would be central to my work. And while I still believe in the power of joyful philanthropy, I’ve come to understand that today’s environment calls for something more urgent and action-oriented. Aligning giving with your values still matters—but in times of crisis, the call to protect and preserve critical services often takes precedence.

When Life Gets in the Way—And Offers Perspective

Life has a way of throwing curveballs. Whether it’s a personal health setback or seismic shifts in the broader world, we are all forced to adapt.

Earlier this year, I underwent unexpected rotator cuff surgery. The recovery sidelined me—physically and professionally—just as I was preparing to launch this next chapter of my work. With limited mobility, I had no choice but to pause. And in that pause, I had time to reflect.

These moments invite us to reevaluate our priorities, reconsider our messaging, and look for the lessons hidden in disruption. When we’re stopped in our tracks, we can choose to wallow—or we can use the opportunity to recalibrate and emerge more grounded in our purpose. I chose the latter. How about you?

The Stakes Are Real—For Nonprofits and Communities

Across the country, nonprofits are being asked to do more with less. Recent federal policy shifts and funding cuts have had far-reaching consequences, particularly for sectors such as public media, the arts and culture, education, health services, LGBTQ+ advocacy, and community development. For many organizations, the loss or reduction of government grants has created a funding gap that private philanthropy must now try to fill.

I see this in my personal life. I serve on the boards of two organizations: CAMP Rehoboth, an LGBTQ+ community center, and WAMU, DC’s public radio station. Both are rooted in communities that have faced mounting challenges, from threats to funding to shifts in public policy that jeopardize their very existence. The stakes are real. 

This isn’t just about one cause or community. It’s a systemic challenge affecting everything from local food banks and after-school programs to mental health clinics and environmental initiatives. Nonprofits that have long served as the safety net—or the spark for social innovation—are finding themselves stretched thin. And that means those of us who care must consider what role we can play to help sustain the organizations that reflect our values and serve our neighbors.

For those of us who care deeply, the moment calls for more than alignment—it calls for action.

If you’re a donor, advocate, or volunteer wondering how to make an impact amid uncertainty, I encourage you to start with this: don’t wait for perfect clarity. The causes you believe in need you now. Whether it’s financial support, board service, or hands-on involvement, your contribution matters more than ever.

Philanthropy is still about purpose, but today, that purpose may look more like resilience, preservation, and solidarity. It’s not always tidy. It’s not always joyful. But it can be deeply meaningful.

And in that, we find a new kind of fulfillment. Contact me today to get started.