Nonprofits aren’t the only organizations feeling the upheaval of the ongoing federal funding disruption. Corporate social responsibility (CSR) teams and foundation funders may find themselves balancing how to best support their nonprofit partners while managing their business priorities during this time of uncertainty.
Many of your nonprofit partners have been impacted, directly or indirectly, by the federal funding uncertainty. You may have been in contact with them already as they seek to expand their private sector funding or plan longer-term for a potential reduction in government funding.
However, many businesses like yours are also in a period of uncertainty due to changing regulations and government expectations. Your business may have recently announced that you’re pulling back on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, which could have an impact on your CSR programs and grant making.
In the following blog, we’re laying out some actionable ways you can communicate with internal stakeholders while managing your competing priorities.
Navigating conversations with leadership
First, business leaders will focus on understanding the risk to their business. While some might take a stance and publicly double down on their DEI programs and partnerships, many will either pull back entirely, shift their focus, or soften their approach.
As a CSR leader, you’ll need to understand the ramifications of these approaches and strategically align your efforts. Support business leaders as they seek your input on how to proceed. Focus on sharing stories from your nonprofit partners that demonstrate the importance of their work and demonstrate how your relationship and funding can help them to deliver their services.
There are many resources available to help you make the business case for continuing or expanding your corporate giving during this time.
Be prepared to move quickly to meet changing expectations. Ensure that leaders are equipped with a strong understanding of why you support your nonprofit partners, the impact the current environment is having on them, and how your support might help them get through this turbulent time.
Engaging your employees
Your employees are going to reach out to understand what the company is doing and seeking ways to support nonprofits impacted by the uncertainty. Be prepared to respond to their inquiries with a clear and simple message that demonstrates your connection to the business’s strategy, and your underlying approach to deliver on CSR goals.
Providing clarity in this sea of change might be difficult. One way to show action without having all the answers is to engage your employees through volunteering or giving. Harness their passion or worry over the unknown to do good.
Something simple like including a few lines on your intranet homepage or newsletter article reminding employees of your matching program or dollars for doers program is another effective method. Here’s an example:
“Looking to support nonprofits during the federal funding uncertainty? Double your giving through our matching program. Visit [enter company CyberGrants website name] to learn more.”
Giving short updates on your key nonprofit partners and how they are being impacted would be a great way to refresh content and help boost awareness. By sharing what kind of support your nonprofit partners need, you can then use CyberGrants to help match them with your employees’ time and donations.
We’re here for you
If you need help setting up a new grant application or you need help with corporate contributions, reach out to your customer success manager.
We’re in this together.
