How Are You Doing?

How Are You Doing?

This may sound like a silly question, but I really want to know.  No matter what your personal, individual, political party affiliation, the approach of the new presidential administration to health, mental health, social services, the environment, and the arts has meant a brand-new status quo both in terms of the effect of new laws and policies on your nonprofit constituents, and in terms of your nonprofit funding environment.

CalNonprofits conducted a survey earlier this year – “Government in Transition; Nonprofits in Transition,” and released results in April.  Some of the most notable findings were reports of increased levels of staff anxiety, and numerous write in comments about the impact on immigrants.  Respondents reported that recipients were requesting to be removed from the CalFresh program, and a domestic violence shelter reported receiving fewer calls from Spanish speaking women.  Many reported that immigrant clients are fearful of using services because of fear of deportation.

Almost two-thirds of respondents receiving government funding report that they anticipate less funding in the next year.  While many indicated that they believe they will receive increased individual donations, others fear that larger organizations will benefit from these increases, and smaller, or less known causes will suffer. As a result, a high percentage indicated that they were increasing their policy advocacy or engaging in policy advocacy for the first time.

What am I seeing as a grant writer?  Honestly, I am seeing all of thesse things.  The immigrant services and advocacy organizations I write for are deluged, and are doing everything they can to amplify their messages and support their clients.  Some organizations keep working day by day, wondering when their government contracts will be pulled.  Personally, I have had far fewer government grants to write this year – it’s a lean year!

So, this is a real question: How are you doing?  And, in particular, I would be interested in hearing how your organization is strategizing for success and sustainability in this new socio-political environment. 

Here is a link to the CalNonprofits survey results if you are interested: http://calnonprofits.org/publications/article-archive/529-nonprofits-rethinking-their-future-under-trump-administration-new-survey-reports.  And let me put in a plug for this statewide nonprofit advocacy organization.  I have been super impressed with their work this year, and I would encourage you to support them.  They are working for you!