October has brought us snowy mountains, golden leaves, and a government shutdown. Many may remember the federal government shutdown of 2018 – it lasted 35 days, with far-reaching negative impacts for people, businesses, nonprofits, and the government itself. Now, another shutdown is underway.
A federal government shutdown translates to real, potentially devastating impacts on people, communities, and the nonprofits that Alaskans rely on every day. Simply stated, during a shutdown, federal agencies cannot spend or obligate congressionally approved funds, including funds for paying employees, meeting grant obligations, and operating federal programs. Based on previous shutdowns, this one will have immediate and longer-term impacts on Alaska nonprofits and the people we serve. That’s because many of our nonprofits will see an increased demand for services while experiencing decreased funding.
Previous shutdowns proved in too many ways that nonprofits will once again be called upon to provide a safety net for individuals who are without a paycheck. We know that many nonprofits right now are experiencing fragile systems with too few employees, fewer volunteers, decreasing and disappearing grant funds, and a lack of funding from the failure of state government to pay grants, contracts, and reimbursements on time.
We heard several times since the shutdown that bipartisan conversations are happening, so while many think that a compromise is less likely than usual, I am doing my best to remain positive, believing that we won’t be in this predicament for long. We are closely monitoring the situation and watching the important safety net our sector provides.
In addition to what many thought was an inevitable government shutdown, I am also noticing that the acceptance of the abnormal as normal is taking hold across the sector. There is less surprise now about the loss of funding or verbal attacks on the sector, compared to the first few months of the year, even as that loss of funding and those attacks continue to increase. This position has me deeply concerned about the essential work that nonprofits do – that you do – as well as the role we play in our democracy. Make no mistake, there is nothing normal about politicizing the work of nonprofits or labeling them without merit as terrorist organizations, which is happening across this country to groups that often serve the most vulnerable among us.
Facing the “not-normal” is difficult. What can you do?
- Adapt without yielding to acceptance. You might be feeling the temptation to relabel this time as “the new normal.” I encourage you to resist that temptation. That does not mean don’t adapt. By all means, pivot and shift to stay focused on your mission and those you serve. Engage your donors, your team, and yourself in a true understanding of what is open for change and what should never change. Be exceedingly clear on what matters the most. But please, don’t attempt to accept as “normal” the kind of stress, strain, and feelings of being under attack that are sweeping through the sector. To keep track of all the changes impacting nonprofits, bookmark this Executive Order Tracker from the National Council of Nonprofits. Remember, some of the EOs won’t take effect immediately, and many are being challenged in court.
- Use your voice. It is easy to feel overwhelmed by it all and even try to shut it out. Critically, however, that is not possible for many Americans. The danger is real, and the impact is life-altering. As you walk a careful non-political line in your nonprofit role, focus on using your voice for the work of the sector and for the people most impacted by the decisions of today. This is a time when every decision means walking a fine line. However, not walking the line, not using your mission voice and living the values you hold tightly to in every other decision is not the answer. Get with your team. Find your lane. Speak up. Especially if you are feeling safer than those around you. A big step you can take is to join ourAdvocacy in Action webinars, where we highlight issues impacting Alaska’s nonprofits and offer suggestions on how you can become involved in advocating for your position on them. Don’t forget to also contact our congressional delegation and let them know what a government shutdown means for the people and communities you serve. If you want or need more anonymity, you can use our Real Time Consequences form to help us collect the Alaska stories and effects of a government shutdown and federal policy and funding changes to share with the delegation.
- Draw from your inner strength and share it with others. Recently, I had the pleasure of listening to many people say why they joined the nonprofit sector and why they stay committed. You likely won’t be surprised that more than a clear linear trajectory, it was a path full of curves and obstacles that every one of them navigated because of the calling they felt to serve something greater than themselves. This sentiment is so often at the heart of our chosen profession, but rarely do we stop to consider it. The perennial ideal that missions are bigger than any of us individually, that missions are bigger than an organization, that to show up fully is to bring our whole selves, knowing that it will only ever be a part of a larger whole. This! This is the space to draw from when it feels overwhelming, exhausting, and even a bit terrifying. This is a source of strength for so many – I hope you, too. Knowing that there is so much wisdom within the sector, our latest effort to create a system of support is our series of peer sessions that focus on federal rapid response issues. Sign up for one or all of them – they’re free.
- Monitor and support the safety net. As I noted earlier, the safety net is likely to get even more fragile in this environment. If you are the staff or board of those organizations, please be clear about what help looks like, not just for the organization, but for you and the whole team. And, of course, let’s be extra mindful of those accessing your services. For some, this is their first time asking for help. Everyone else reading along, this is our time to step in and step up. Maybe that is a cash contribution or a canned good, or a friendly phone call of encouragement. Maybe that is offers of safety or direction for those seeking access. Maybe that is anything that you can think of that comes from your heart and lets your community know that the safety net is made of compassion and care, even for those whom you may never know. If you don’t know where to start, check Alaska 2-1-1 or download 907 Navigation on your phone, or go to Food Assistance Resources by the Food Bank of Alaska.
- Work your checklists. Just days before the shutdown, we shared a helpful checklist created by our colleagues at the National Council of Nonprofits. If you have not reviewed the list with your team, now is the time to check in on the potential or real implications of a shutdown. Assumption is not your friend in any discussion, and that is true here, too. We have so many people in our board and staff roles that are new to the work and new to the sector that it is very likely their first time at this from your organizational context. Make the time. Even if you think you will be unaffected – say so. Beyond the shutdown and looking to other federal impacts of policy and funding disruptions, here is a checklist with eight steps that can help. We published it in the first quarter of this year, and the reminders are still applicable today.
Leading and living within nonprofit spaces is exceedingly hard right now in ways we could not have imagined. And, every day, I look in and listen deeply, and what reverberates is your deep commitment and dedication to the missions you serve. We might not know what may happen next, but I do know that Foraker is standing with you and ready to help navigate your budget, staffing, or plans as you move forward. Together, we will successfully navigate what comes next.
-Laurie
