How to message $ cuts with clarity
Written by Zoe Alexis Whitehorn
You’ve heard the news. We all have.
“There are major cuts coming to nonprofit funding.”
“Funding is being stripped from federal grants.”
“School districts face funding cuts.”
That leads you to the following question: What should you do when you need to talk about funding cuts…even while the news is still unfolding?
As a leader, your role as a communicator is really critical right now.
The heaviness is real. Freezing or waffling could create panic or more confusion.
That’s why, today, we are offering three tips to help you communicate clearly about funding cuts.
talk to your internal team first.
You don’t need to have all the answers yet, but you do need to gather your team early. Be sincere, be direct and keep your mission top of mind.
Name your commitments as a leader – share your role in steadying the ship so they know what to expect.
Here are some can’t-miss things to address with your team:
Acknowledge what funding cuts may mean for your work or team. Leading with clarity is more than just a kindness here - it’s honest, and it’s trust-building.
If you’re not sure yet exactly what the impact to your work will be, say so. Be explicit and open that you’re still figuring all of this out, and explain how you’ll find out more. It’s okay to say that you don’t know yet, but are committed to finding out.
Tell your team what they can do in the meantime, even if that’s as simple as continuing to put their passion to work. Remind them their work matters and the organization is still committed to its mission.
Share when the full team can expect to hear from you on this next. Offer to talk to people individually, too.
Resist false urgency or panic-driven messages. We know this is serious, and that the impacts are real. But using alarmist language can cause more harm than good.
keep your stakeholders in the loop as things evolve.
Continue to share regular updates, including any concrete steps you’re exploring.
Ask yourself: what does our staff need to hear right now to maintain transparency and trust? What can you share with the team to make sure everyone feels supported and isn’t surprised by big changes you’re considering?
For example, are you working with your board? Let people know that these long-term planning conversations are happening and that you’ll share any outcomes. (Nothing spreads faster than rumors when your staff members feel like they’re in the dark.
Or, are you considering new advocacy plans or a new, urgent call to action? What does this look like, and how does it affect your programs and priorities?
Finally, let people in on any considerations around new fundraising strategies. Maybe this means a focus on individual donors or exploring different funding models. Share the vision for how these strategies will support the organization's work and impact.
get ready to communicate with your external community.
Consider who needs to hear from you about potential funding cuts and what they need to hear. Make a plan to share news with them as soon as possible.
Whether its your external supporters, community members, funders or reporters, ask yourself:
Who do they need to hear from?
E.g., is your mailing list the right way to share this news with supporters?
Who is the right person to do individual outreach with existing or potential funders?
What does each group, specifically, need to hear?
E.g., do you need to convey the real-world consequences with reporters?
What action do you want them to take?
E.g., do you want partners to tap networks for funding opportunities? Do you need to emphasize your impact to supporters?
When will they hear from you next?
Schedule that followup!
As always, if you’ve got the time and space to think bigger, you might consider a mini comms plan to help you organize your thinking here.
We hope these tips helps you focus on what you *can* control right now while you continue to serve your communities with passion and purpose.
