Building Resilience in Uncertain Times

Nonprofits are known for doubling down and showing up when their communities need them the most. From the pandemic to renewed calls for racial justice to ongoing political uncertainty, nonprofits have remained steadfast in their commitment to providing critical services, cultural richness, and jobs that contribute to the local economy.    

With a chaotic election year and a new administration soon to be taking office, uncertainty might be the only thing we’re certain of. Many nonprofit leaders are looking for ways to build financial resilience so their organizations can weather both known and unknown economic impacts over the next few years. They know that being prepared for any outcome is critical to the health and wellbeing of the people who walk through their doors. 

Organized by common questions, the following core resources, tools, and guides can help leaders like you get started and go deeper with strong financial management practices. 

In NFF's Start Here: Budget & Cash Flow section, you’ll find everything you need to create a financial roadmap for the coming year.  

From budgeting resources to a cash flow projection template (our most downloaded template of all time), to a nonprofit budgeting scenario planning tool, these resources will guide you through your most important first steps in building resilience. 

Our Financial Management Training section offers an overview of core concepts plus templates to help you evaluate and strengthen your organization’s financial health.  

In addition to our regular Nonprofit Financial Management webinar curriculum, we also recorded a special set of webinars during the pandemic to help nonprofits manage through uncertainty.  

And if you're looking for the big themes at a glance, check out this blog with 6 Ways Nonprofits Can Take Action Amid Economic Uncertainty.  

Read How to Craft Your Organization’s Financial Story for ideas on what to include and how to share information in an accessible and engaging way.    

We also have a Full Cost Communication Guide with tips and common conversation scenarios between funders and nonprofits to support holistic discussions about the financial health of an organization.  

Explore NFF’s Full Cost hub and download the Full Cost Workbook to understand your organization’s current and future needs. 

Visit our Ask NFF page where you’ll find a simple form to submit questions directly to NFF staff. We’ll respond within two weeks, anonymize responses, and post questions that everyone can learn from.   

Yes, we do! Funders have a critical role to play in ensuring that the nonprofits have the investments they need to create resilience, especially during times of uncertainty. In addition to these fundamentals, NFF’s team has authored a number of helpful articles: 

• NFF President and CEO Aisha Benson contributed an article to the Chronicle of Philanthropy, “Grant Makers, Here’s How to Support Nonprofits Led by People of Color.” 
• NFF’s Annie Chang offers “5 Ways Foundations Should Help Grantees in an Uncertain Economy.” 
• NFF’s Kristine Alvarez shares a few tips for how funders can simplify the process in her op-ed, which originally appeared in Candid’s Philanthropy News Digest: “When Funders Don’t Know Finance.”