The State of Fundraising: It Stinks — Let’s Fix It.

Part 1: Stop Hoping. Start Dialing.

Be honest — how does your balance sheet look right now?Got pledges? Grants “in process”? Payouts “scheduled” for Q4?Translation: you’re holding a lot of IOUs and very little oxygen.

Between government shutdowns, stalled grants, donor fatigue, layoffs, and general uncertainty, nonprofits are walking on financial eggshells. And some of them won’t make it.

🎯 Step One: Accept Reality

No more waiting. No more “let’s see what comes in.” This is not that season. This is a phones-on, coffee-meetings, get-commitments-IN-WRITING moment.

📞 Make the Call. Literally.

When was the last time you said, “Hey, just checking in — are you still able to honor your commitment before year-end?”If you’ve been hesitating to ask, consider this your permission slip.

💸 Know Your Money — Not Your Dreams.

• What funds are actually landing in 2025?

• What’s being delayed to 2026?

• Who has ghosted their pledge agreement?

If you don’t know — you don’t have a fundraising strategy. You have a hope strategy. And hope is not a budget line.

👀 Get Your Whole Team Involved

Receptionist? Program manager? Board chair? Volunteer?If they get a paycheck or benefit from your work, they can help.Even small tasks matter — a handwritten note, a quick text, a testimonial post. Engagement builds urgency. Urgency drives giving.