Navigating Change, Uncertainty and Upheaval

Let’s just jump right to the elephant in the room. The reality is that 2025 looks like it’s going to be a year of upheaval for the nonprofit community. 

The catch phrase “move fast and break things” is an e-business model that encourages speed and innovation, even at the risk of failure. It is rapid innovation and disruption over stability. It puts pressure on teams to move fast and fix mistakes. Can it work? Sure. The trouble is that It comes with a host of risks and can lead to unethical behavior. It is also diametrically opposed to how things are normally done in nonprofits. 

So, how does our sector navigate these uncertain times? Disruption from change and upheaval is inevitable – whether it’s related to current political and economic shifts, future leadership changes, or a complete “unknown” looming in the distant future. Are you ready for it? 

“Navigating change, uncertainty and upheaval” means actively managing and adapting to situations where significant shifts are happening, with a lack of clear information about what the future holds, often causing disruption or discomfort. It’s about finding ways to move forward despite the inherent instability of the situation. 

As nonprofit leaders, we owe it to our constituencies, organizations and missions to lead despite what’s happening around us. You have to manage what you are experiencing, first, before you try to lead your organization through it. There are key aspects to tackling this.

1. Accept the emotions: Acknowledging feelings like anxiety, fear, or frustration that arise from change and uncertainty is crucial to moving forward.
2. Focus on what you can control: Identifying areas where you have agency and taking action within those boundaries can provide a sense of stability.
3. Gather information: Actively seek out details and understand the context of the change, even if complete clarity is not available.
4. Develop adaptability: Embrace flexibility and be open to adjusting plans and strategies as new information emerges.
5. Build resilience: Cultivate coping mechanisms to manage stress and navigate difficult emotions during periods of upheaval.

Once you have yourself in the right frame of mind, you can turn your focus to the organization.

• Set realistic goals: Break down the large changes into smaller, achievable steps to manage your teams’ sense of being overwhelmed.
• Communicate openly: Maintain transparent conversations with colleagues, superiors, or loved ones to share concerns and receive support.
• Identify and leverage your support networks: Lean on friends, donors, and/or professional advisors to provide instrumental support and perspective.
• Recognize the need for and then develop new skills: Identify areas where additional knowledge or expertise could be beneficial in adapting to the change. Then, train or recruit for those skills.
• Reframe your perspective: In every challenge, there is also opportunity. Try to see change as an opportunity for growth and development rather than solely as a threat.
• Lastly, and this is most important for nonprofits, Focus on core values: Maintain a sense of purpose and focus on your mission. 

No one works in nonprofit because it is easy. But, perhaps, no one is better prepared to navigate this environment than nonprofit professionals. 

If you need a knowledgeable and empathetic partner to help you and your nonprofit face current, or future, challenges, Our Fundraising Search is here to help. In addition to strategic planning, leadership training and coaching, we offer a customized program to help you analyze, adapt and address “change, uncertainty and upheaval”. Reach out and let’s chat.