What President Trump Means To Your 501C3 & Fund Development Effort
“Donald J. Trump’s stunning victory in the race for the White House, along with the Republican wins in the House and Senate, could lead to serious financial troubles for many nonprofits, experts say. They warn of steep cuts in federal support for nonprofits and a decrease in charitable giving that could persist if his policy proposals are adopted.”
Megan O’Neil and Timothy Sandoval, Chronicle of Philanthropy
Okay… Yes! That scared the heck out me too!
Regardless of which side you are on, Democrat or Republican, if you are running or hoping to start a nonprofit (public charity/ 501c3) organization, it is possible that you are just a tad bit nervous being that in late January our new President, Donald Trump, will take office, and although he is quite the established billionaire has himself over the past 30 years given away less than $10 million.
Additionally, his ties are primarily with the “haves”, leaving us to question whether or not he will truly do what is right for the “have nots”. If this doesn’t scare you, perhaps the fact that the House is also Republican controlled likely indicates cuts to non-defense domestic military spending, therefore suggesting that everyone else will be literally left out in the cold for federal funding frightens you just a little.
Are You Scared Yet?
If not, good for you. If so, don’t be! Of course, there is potential to be change (both unwelcomed and welcomed), BUT, and there always at least is one “but”… the beginning of the Trump Era does not by any means suggest the end of your nonprofit! Shaping up in the areas that count will help your nonprofit to grow and flourish, regardless of who sits in the chair at the Oval Office.
Are You Ready?
First and foremost, positioning is power and the best way to fight power is with power! With this, your ability to build and maintain a strong nonprofit infrastructure will position you to win funding, even at the federal level.
A “funding cut” does not necessarily mean that funding does not exist. Nevertheless, it could mean that it does not exist “for you” if your organization is not highly competitive to receive funding. So no, a funding cut does not mean that ALL public charity nonprofits will be left out in the cold under the Trump administration.
However, if you are building on shaky ground, your organization is not organized, your organization does not implement systems to ensure proper inputs, processes, outputs, outcomes and impact, then YES my friend, grab yourself a cup of hot chocolate, your best coat and snow boots, because you will certainly be left out in the cold.
Less Public Funding?
On the bright side, the word on the street (or at least in a pretty large section of the nonprofit gossip column… if such a thing exists) is that while the Trump Era “could” eventually eliminate some areas of public funding altogether, private funding on the other hand will be magnified… or even glorified. Major donors and Foundations will gladly foot the bill for public charities… not just because it’s the nice thing to do, but because of the potential influence and power (there is that word again…) that they would gain or maintain as a result of it.
So What's Going To Happen?
Now, no one REALLY knows for sure what is going to happen. What we do know however, is that now is certainly NOT the time to stop moving ahead for the greater good. We know that now is the time to focus on organizational development as a springboard into proper positioning, increased capacity and competitiveness for funding. There is definitely a road ahead. Although we are uncertain about the obstacles that we will pass along the way, it does not change the fact that we must continue driving in order to reach our destination.
… More to come as the journey unfolds.
To your success!
-Ty
