So What Do We Do Now? Fundraising Post-Election 2024
Blue Monday by painter Annie Lee
Last week, Americans voted to elect Donald Trump as the 47th President of the United States. After years of demonstrable discrimination, hate speech, racism, sexism, and xenophobia. After a documented history of dishonesty, 34 felony convictions, being found responsible for sexual assault, and infidelity. And after encouraging, allowing, and excusing an insurrection that sought to overturn a fair election.
Donald Trump was the choice for the majority of American voters.
I can’t say I was 100% surprised, but I was disappointed. His victory confirmed many of my worst fears about my fellow country people and their commitment to systems that oppress the communities I care about. And since I’ve lived through a previous Trump administration, I have experienced a range of emotions about what’s to come - rage, frustration, anxiety, and focus - focus on what I need to do to prepare myself and my family for the potential changes ahead.
For the clients we serve here at Village Nonprofit Solutions, I’ve heard the same range of emotions, but on the organizational and community level. Organizations are left wondering how harmful policies will impact the people they serve and their communities. They wonder how to support staff in an uncertain era. And they wonder what impact a Trump administration may have on their funds and operations.
Between me and Kaylé, we have more than 35 years of fundraising experience. That means we’ve done this work through many administration changes (including the 2016 Trump administration), ebbs and flows in the economy, a recession, a market crash, a global pandemic, and a racial “reckoning.” (Did we really “reckon“ if we find ourselves here again?) While these times can elicit fear, there can also be an opportunity to lean into your community of support.
Here are some practical steps organizations can take now (and in other times of transition) to make sure you’re prepared for what’s ahead:
Consider the impact on your community: Connect with program team members to learn more about the potential impact of a transition on their work. Even better, make space for community members or program participants to share their concerns and ideas with you. If you work with LGBTQIA populations, do you need to offer additional services to deal with increased hostility? Does your community include a large immigrant population? Consider their needs and the ways that your organization may be called to respond - and what you need to be able to fund.
Get clear on your funding picture and future needs: Examine your forecast and projections to see if there will be any immediate impacts on your funding. Do you rely on public support that may be in jeopardy after an administration transition? Might your organization expect what some call a “Trump Bump”, an increase in funding due to potential threats to your community by new Administration practices? Get clear about the potential impact of any major environmental transition on your budget, current funding, and prospects.
Call in your community of supporters: Once you have a clear sense of your community’s needs and your funding picture, communicate with your funders to let them know what you’ve learned and how they can help. For example, if you anticipate needing additional staff to go deeper into the community to connect with clients who fear mass deportation, share those needs with your supporters. Times like these are ideal for communicating with all funders - individuals, institutional, and corporate - to let them know your strategic thinking during a time of transition and the impact of the outcome on your organization.
Take care of your team - and yourself: Listen, everyone I know has felt this election deeply. About 80% of my clients canceled their meetings on the day following the election because they just didn’t have it in them - and I was 100% in support of that decision. Check in with your team to see what they need and make space for them. If your staff reflects the community you serve, they are feeling this election outcome in profound ways. While you’re caring for your team, don’t forget yourself. You can‘t pour from an empty cup and the struggle needs you now more than ever.
Make room for joy: Thankfully, this week I had therapy scheduled for the Friday following the election. My therapist’s parting words were for me to cultivate bubbles of joy for myself. Because this election sent a specific message to Black women (and many other marginalized and oppressed people), she advised me to remember the joy in my experience as a Black woman, creating a personal joy reserve and cultivating community and safe spaces that I can depend on to see me through the years ahead.
We’ve been here before and we got through because of the power of community. I believe in our collective power and that the love of that community will always win. In the words of the poet Kendrick Lamar, “We Gon’ Be Alright.”