By Dr. Kevin Dean, President & CEO
Tennessee Nonprofit Network
The past few weeks have felt like a relentless, almost surreal, assault on the nonprofit sector. A paused federal grant, the ensuing legal battles, demands for ideological conformity from government grantees and contractors (a chilling echo of McCarthyism), a flurry of executive orders that seem designed to destabilize, problematic legislation, ICE raids that rip families apart – it’s been a dizzying, panic-inducing rollercoaster ride with no end in sight. And through it all, a strange and unsettling silence has permeated the air. A silence from many national nonprofit and philanthropic organizations, a silence from local and regional associations, and, perhaps most disconcerting of all, a silence from many of the funders we rely on to survive.
This silence is, frankly, odd. These organizations are usually well-positioned to navigate a crisis. Think back to the pandemic’s darkest days. Many stepped up, offering not just financial support but also crucial guidance, resources, and a sense of solidarity. But this time, the response feels…muted, hesitant, almost as if everyone is holding their breath, waiting to see what happens next. While some funders and support organizations have continued with tone-deaf business-as-usual messaging – thanking event sponsors, publishing blog posts reflecting on strategic planning (as if strategic planning is the most pressing issue right now), profiling board members in their newsletters – others have simply remained quiet. It’s as if nothing out of the ordinary is happening, as if the ground isn’t shifting beneath our feet. While we might have seen performative black squares on Instagram after George Floyd’s murder or perhaps some easing of reporting requirements during the height of COVID, this current crisis, which arguably strikes at the very heart of our missions, seems to have left many support organizations and funders paralyzed, unsure of how to respond. It feels like a five-alarm fire, and we’re left standing amidst the flames, wondering, “Where is everyone? Why aren’t they helping us fight this?”
I’ve heard a lot of groaning about this from nonprofits. A LOT. True story: I have an email from a random nonprofit member organization in my email with only one sentence and no context. I don’t even know this person. “Where the hell are the foundations and corporations right now when we are all drowning????” it reads. This email has inspired me to write this.
I’ve spent a lot of time (and, yes, I’ll admit it, some energy huffing and puffing with frustration) thinking about this perplexing silence. And I’ve come to a somewhat surprising, perhaps even controversial, conclusion: we need to extend a little grace to philanthropy and some support organizations right now. (My dear friend Vu Le is probably reading this and simultaneously spitting out his vegan smoothie) Before you throw your metaphorical tomatoes, hear me out. They are, after all, run by human beings, just like the rest of us. They aren’t prophets. They don’t possess crystal balls that can predict the future or navigate every political twist and turn. Some have argued, and rightfully so, that these organizations should have been prepared, that the current administration was elected months ago, that the writing was on the wall. But no one – no one – could have fully predicted the sheer intensity, the relentless pace, and the sheer audacity of the past few weeks. The sheer shock and awe of it all has left even the most seasoned nonprofit professionals reeling. This is a whole new ball game.
Yes, you read that right. I’m defending them, at least for the moment. Just as many in the nonprofit sector feel bewildered, disoriented, and afraid, so too, I suspect, do many in the philanthropic world. They’ve been caught off guard, just like we have. They’re having to bring in lawyers, host emergency board meetings, and make sure they don’t get targeted themselves. The last thing we need is for philanthropy to be targeted next! I’m all about some DAF reform, but maybe let’s have that conversation a little later on, ok, guys? Philanthropy, like regular ol’ nonprofits, are trying to figure out the landscape, assess the damage, and determine the best way forward. Let’s give them a beat. Let’s give them a little grace. Let’s acknowledge that they, too, are grappling with the enormity of this situation.
However – and this is a big, bold, italicized however – I am not saying that grace is unconditional. It’s not a blank check. It’s a temporary reprieve (like, a week), a chance for them to catch their breath and recalibrate just like we’re trying to. It’s time for support organizations, associations, and philanthropy to step up in new and unprecedented ways. This is not business as usual. This is not the time for cautious, incremental responses. This is a moment that demands a genuine partnership with the nonprofit sector.
I’m not going to offer a laundry list of “to-dos.” I’ve seen enough of those from consultants and LinkedIn “thought leaders” offering canned, often tone-deaf, advice. Yes, unrestricted operating support is crucial. Of course it is. We’ve been saying that for years, and it’s more important now than ever. But we need so much more than just money.
We need unity. We need a united front against these attacks on our communities and the vital services we provide. We need you to wield your power for good. Money is power, and philanthropy, let’s be honest, has considerably more of it than we do. We need collaboration. We need philanthropy in the room with nonprofits, working alongside us, shoulder to shoulder, to solve these challenges, not dictating solutions from an ivory tower, detached from the realities on the ground. Show up and sit beside us in rooms you’d normally never sit in. We need you to listen to us, to understand our needs in this moment.
I implore philanthropy and other nonprofit support organizations to reach out to your grantees and stakeholders. Don’t assume we’re okay. Don’t assume we have all the answers. A simple check-in, a phone call, a personal email, can make a world of difference. It can be a lifeline in these turbulent times. Nonprofits feel incredibly isolated and vulnerable right now. We need your emotional and non-monetary support just as much as we need your financial assistance. We need to know that we’re not in this alone.
We also need to hear from you. What’s happening behind the scenes? What are your plans? What are you doing to address this crisis? Silence breeds anxiety and distrust. Transparency builds confidence and collaboration. We need you to communicate openly and honestly about the challenges we face and the steps you’re taking to address them.
And, perhaps most importantly, we need you to listen to us. Create space for our voices to be heard. Don’t make decisions in a vacuum, without our input. Don’t assume you know what’s best for us. We are the experts on the communities we serve. We are the ones on the front lines. We are the ones who understand the true impact of these policies. We need you to listen to our concerns, to value our expertise, and to work with us to develop solutions that are grounded in reality.
Don’t be tone-deaf. Don’t offer platitudes. Don’t tell us to “stay strong” or “keep fighting” without offering concrete support. Be urgently responsive. Be present. Be engaged.
So, nonprofits, we’re going to extend some grace, ok? Philanthropy is on our side. They aren’t perfect, but neither are we. None of us know what the hell is happening nor can we keep up with the barrage of daily challenges thrown our way.
Philanthropy, national organizations, and support organizations, we need your long-term support. We need you to help craft a robust, sustainable, long-term response to what will likely be repeated attacks on the sector and the communities we serve. This isn’t a moment for silence. It’s a moment for partnership. It’s a moment for action. It’s a moment for demonstrating true leadership. It’s a moment to show us that you’re not just funders, but true allies in the fight.
PS. As a side note, I’d like to lift up the National Council of Nonprofits for being so responsive and ensuring that billions of federal funds have continued flowing to nonprofits across the country. THAT is what showing up looks like.