How to Fundraise in Uncertain Times When Federal Funding Is at Risk
Federal grants have long been a lifeline for nonprofits, supporting vital programs in healthcare, education, social services, and the arts. But with shifting political priorities, administrative changes, and budget cuts, nonprofits can no longer rely solely on government funding.
To ensure financial stability and continue serving their communities, nonprofits must take proactive steps to build alternative revenue streams. This guide outlines three critical strategies:
Communicating with supporters effectively
Building a strong house file
Launching an individual donor program
1. Communicate with Supporters: Transparency and Urgency Without Panic
When federal funding is uncertain, nonprofits must engage their supporters with clear, compelling messaging. The key is to inspire action without creating a sense of panic.
Be transparent about the challenge. Let supporters know how potential cuts will affect your work. Explain the stakes in a way that is urgent but hopeful.
Instead of saying, "We might not survive without funding," try, "Your support ensures we continue this critical work, no matter what happens in Washington."
Demonstrate the impact of support. Use data and real-life stories to show how donor contributions make a difference. Consider offering a free downloadable impact report that highlights what is at risk and how donors can help. Sharing real success stories from individuals who have benefited from your programs makes the situation more relatable and personal.
Utilize multiple communication channels. This ensures that your message reaches a broad audience. Send personalized emails with specific calls to action, post regular updates on social media platforms, and host virtual town halls or webinars to engage with supporters directly. Hosting Q&A sessions with leadership can also help build trust and answer concerns that donors may have.
Engage major donors and funders directly. Establishing strong, ongoing relationships with high-impact funders ensures long-term sustainability. Be candid with foundations and major donors about funding uncertainty. Ask for:
Flexible, unrestricted funding
Multi-year commitments
Emergency support to help bridge financial gaps
Encourage board members to serve as advocates. Ask them to reach out to their networks for additional support and help amplify fundraising campaigns. Their credibility and influence can open doors to new funding opportunities. Board-led fundraising initiatives, such as peer-to-peer campaigns, can add an extra layer of engagement.
2. Build Your House File: The Key to Long-Term Sustainability
A housefile is your database of donors, subscribers, and supporters. This list is one of your most valuable assets because it provides a predictable revenue stream outside of government funding, allows donor segmentation to target specific fundraising campaigns, and attracts corporate sponsors and major donors. A strong house file enables nonprofits to maintain engagement and drive consistent contributions, even in turbulent times.
How to Build & Strengthen Your House File:
Collect email addresses from multiple touchpoints. Every event, social media post, and website visit is an opportunity to capture new supporters.
Create engaging email content to keep supporters interested. Regularly send updates with impact stories, funding developments, and donation opportunities to maintain their engagement. Segment your audience based on past giving behavior and tailor your messaging to different groups, such as first-time donors, recurring supporters, and lapsed donors.
Use social media ads and lead generation tactics to expand your housefile. Running small paid campaigns on platforms like Facebook and Instagram can attract new donors who align with your mission. Create engaging lead magnets, such as downloadable guides, checklists, or webinars, to encourage sign-ups and expand your reach.
Track engagement with a customer relationship management (CRM) system. This allows for a more strategic approach to donor retention. Software like Julep can help monitor interactions and ensure that your outreach is targeted and effective. Maintaining donor profiles with past donation history, communication preferences, and engagement levels can improve retention and increase giving over time.
Host virtual events and webinars to strengthen your house file. Educate supporters on the impact of your work and encourage them to join your donor community through informative and engaging sessions. Consider running a donor appreciation series or offering behind-the-scenes insights to deepen relationships with your audience.
3. Launch or Expand an Individual Donor Program
When grants are uncertain, individual giving is a nonprofit’s best safeguard against financial instability. A well-structured donor program provides steady revenue and ensures long-term sustainability.
Launch a recurring giving program to provide steady, predictable revenue. Over time, this can replace unreliable grant funding. Encouraging donors to contribute monthly creates a dependable funding stream that can sustain nonprofit operations. Promote the convenience of automated monthly giving and emphasize the impact of consistent contributions.
Segment your donors based on giving levels and engagement history. Segmentation allows for more personalized outreach. Identify small, mid-level, and major donors and create custom engagement plans for each group to increase their level of support over time. Personalized emails, handwritten thank-you notes, and exclusive donor events can help deepen connections and boost retention.
Julep features such as People Profiles, Keywords, Actions and Attributes can help you segment your donors easily and track how you communicate with them.
Develop a fundraising calendar ensures consistency in donor outreach. Plan seasonal campaigns, Giving Tuesday pushes, and donor appreciation events to maintain a steady flow of contributions throughout the year. Align campaigns with significant events or milestones within your organization to maximize engagement.
Offer multiple ways to give. Providing multiple options can appeal to a wider donor base. Provide options such as peer-to-peer fundraising, corporate matching gifts, and planned giving to encourage different types of contributions. Partnering with local businesses for co-branded fundraising initiatives can also expand donor opportunities.
Use storytelling to inspire. Highlight the real-world impact of donations through testimonials, compelling visuals, and video content that connect emotionally with potential donors. Sharing personal success stories from beneficiaries humanizes your cause and increases donor empathy.
Launch a major gifts program to secure significant financial support. Building relationships with high-net-worth donors and cultivating long-term partnerships can result in transformational funding opportunities. Consider creating a major donor recognition program to acknowledge and celebrate their contributions.
Julep’s Moves Management dashboard helps you build a strong and cohesive major giving program with steps that walk you through discovery and cultivation through closing your ask.
What’s Next? A Resilient Funding Plan
While federal funding remains uncertain, nonprofits can take control of their financial future by staying informed about legislative changes, strengthening compliance and grant reporting, building a diversified donor base to reduce dependency on grants, and exploring corporate sponsorships and community partnerships. Strengthening corporate partnerships through cause marketing campaigns and employee giving programs can also provide a stable funding source.
Additionally, investing in robust donor stewardship strategies ensures donor loyalty and long-term engagement. Regular communication, personalized outreach, and recognition efforts help maintain strong donor relationships.
Final Thoughts: Take Control of Your Nonprofit’s Financial Future
Key Takeaways:
✅ Keep applying for grants. Stay informed on policy changes and shifts in eligibility but keep applying!
✅ Improve your compliance & impact tracking. Funders expect data-driven results.
✅ Strengthen your donor base now. Your house file is the key to long-term stability.
✅ Explore new funding sources. Corporate sponsorships, major gifts, and earned revenue will give you more financial control.
While federal grants remain a key funding source, nonprofits that build strong donor relationships and diversify revenue will be in the best position to weather any funding changes.
Free Resource: Download the Nonprofit Funding Diversification Checklist
Download this checklist to map out alternative funding strategies, grow donor engagement, and protect your nonprofit’s mission from government funding uncertainty.
By focusing on donor relationships and financial resilience, nonprofits can navigate uncertainty and thrive—no matter what happens with federal grants. Taking proactive steps today will ensure a strong, sustainable future for your organization.
How Julep Helps Nonprofits Stay Financially Strong (No Matter What Happens with Grants)
Turn One-Time Donors into Lifelong Supporters
Build recurring giving programs and donor engagement strategies to reduce reliance on unpredictable grants.
Diversify Without the Admin Burden
Julep tracks donors, grants, sponsorships, and fundraising campaigns in one place, so you spend less time on spreadsheets, more time growing funding.
Show Your Impact with Data-Driven Reporting
Funders, corporate sponsors, and major donors all want proof that their money is making a difference. Julep’s reporting tools help you create compelling, data-backed success stories.