Across the country, each nonprofit is facing a harsh new reality. Funding sources are shrinking, community needs are surging, and the pressure to do more with less is pushing many organizations to the brink. These are not isolated challenges—they are systemic, and they are reshaping the way individuals and institutions think about giving.

For donors, this is a moment that calls for reflection—but also for action.

The Changing Nonprofit Fundraising Landscape

In today’s volatile political and economic climate, nonprofits are seeing traditional fundraising streams dry up or shift dramatically:

• Government Funding: Executive orders and legislative shifts are eliminating or restricting federal and state grants that don’t align with current political priorities. This has left many organizations—especially in health, education, public media, LGBTQ+ advocacy, and the arts—scrambling to fill critical funding gaps.
• Foundation Grants: Foundations are overwhelmed by an influx of new funding requests, making it more difficult for existing grantees to secure continued support. Many foundations are prioritizing new, urgent needs over sustaining long-term partnerships.
• Corporate Sponsorships: Political backlash, particularly around DEIA (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility) initiatives, has led corporations to reconsider their involvement. Some are canceling previously committed sponsorships, while others are avoiding new partnerships altogether to minimize reputational risk.
• Individual Giving: Economic uncertainty and stock market instability have left many individual donors feeling cautious. Those giving through Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs) are holding back, and older donors—especially those on fixed incomes—are fearful that policy changes may compromise their financial future.

The ripple effect is felt at every level of the nonprofit ecosystem. It’s not just about fewer dollars—it’s about unpredictability, loss of momentum, and the destabilization of organizations that serve as lifelines for their communities.

For a Nonprofit, Demand Is Rising as Resources Shrink

As I discussed in a previous article, while funding is shrinking, the demand for nonprofit services is growing—and growing fast.

• Mental health organizations are reporting surges in need, especially for women and also within LGBTQ+ communities, where fear around safety, access to healthcare, and discrimination is intensifying.
• Educational and after-school programs are being asked to step in as schools face funding cuts and an increase in behavioral health concerns among youth.
• Public media and trusted news outlets are under attack, even as citizens hunger for fact-based journalism in a deeply polarized environment.
• Arts, culture, and community development organizations are striving to serve as gathering spaces and places of healing, even as their budgets are slashed and staff resources are strained.

Nonprofits are being forced to make difficult decisions. Many are now developing contingency plans: prioritizing which programs must continue at all costs, exploring mergers or collaborations, or, in some cases, confronting the possibility of closure. Messaging to donors has shifted from showcasing community impact to stark reminders of what could be lost if support disappears.

How a Philanthropy Coach Can Help

In times like these, donors often feel helpless. You want to make a difference, but don’t know where to start. The needs feel endless. The stakes feel high. And the usual strategies for giving may no longer apply.

That’s where philanthropy coaching comes in.

As a coach, I help donors move from paralysis to purpose. When fear or uncertainty takes hold, I help you identify what you can control: your values, your vision, your voice, and your resources. Together, we create a giving strategy that aligns your capacity with the issues you care about most.

Here’s how I work with clients:

• Getting Unstuck: Many people want to help but are emotionally overwhelmed or unsure where to begin. I provide space to sort through the noise and focus on what matters most to you.
• Reframing Panic Into Purpose: We work together to shift from reactive worry to intentional, values-driven action. Even small steps can make a meaningful impact.
• Bringing Perspective Through Personal Experience: I share stories and strategies from my journey and those of other clients to help you envision what’s possible—because seeing one path forward often opens the door to many.
• Clarifying Your Call to Action: This isn’t about guilt or pressure. It’s about regaining control of your choices and role in shaping the future you want to see.

In a world that can often feel chaotic, giving is one of the most powerful tools at our disposal. It connects us to each other. It creates hope. And it sends a clear message about what we value.

So the question isn’t, “Can I make a difference?”

It’s, “How will I choose to show up in this moment?”

If you’re ready to explore what giving can look like—right now, with clarity and intention—I’m here to help.