Mike’s Monday Message Takeover: Stronger Together in Times of Uncertainty
For the last few weeks, AFP members have been reaching out sharing their concerns about the impact of recent U.S. government actions on nonprofits and their funding. I want to take this Mike’s Message Takeover to say, on behalf of the entire AFP leadership, I hear you, and here is what AFP can do to help.
Cause for Concern
On January 27, the United States' Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released a memo announcing a temporary pause on federal funding to allow Administration officials to review all federal grants and contracts to ensure they are aligned with the Administration's priorities and recent Executive Orders. Though the memo was subsequently rescinded, and the freeze was ultimately blocked by federal judges, many nonprofits were forced to quickly reduce or cut services—critical services that members of their community rely on.
For many organizations, actions like this, as well as the Executive Orders themselves—many of which have the potential to impact funding, staffing, and general operations of community services—are making it difficult to execute their day-to-day operations, let alone plan for the future.
Nonprofits are feeling vulnerable, acutely aware of how quickly circumstances beyond their control can put their operations, their mission, and the livelihood of the nonprofit employees themselves in jeopardy. That type of uncertainty is stressful; it is disheartening; it is keeping fundraisers up at night, and that means it is something that AFP needs to take action on.
What AFP is Doing
AFP has a registered lobbyist, Sally Schaeffer, who represents AFP, and the fundraising sectors’ interests in Washington, D.C. Sally has been meeting with Congressional Leadership offices and bipartisan Appropriations Committee staff to make the case for our causes. She is working closely with AFP’s volunteer and staff leadership, as well as AFP’s Government Relations Committee, to ensure that we have the information needed to make decisions, and we are able to pass our information on to you, AFP’s membership, through updates like this, AFP’s daily newsletter, and our social media channels.
Meanwhile, we are collaborating with groups such as the National Council of Nonprofits and the Charitable Giving Coalition, because our voice is stronger when we come together as a sector to demonstrate the depth and breadth of our impact on our communities, our nation, and the world.
How AFP Can Support You
As we work to protect the sector, AFP is also concerned about you, as professional fundraisers, and as individuals navigating their personal mental health.
AFP members often talk about the power of community—the strength that comes from knowing you are not alone in your fundraising journey. And right now, that sense of community matters more than ever. I know for me personally, it was often when I was going through a challenging time that I realized the true value of my network of mentors, peers, and friends within AFP. In moments of uncertainty, I was always reminded why we come together as AFP members—not just to learn new strategies or share best practices, but to support one another, to lift each other up, and to affirm that no fundraiser ever has to go it alone.
Here’s a few of the ways that AFP can help support you right now:
- Upcoming Webinar on Fundraising During Challenging Times: Join us on March 5 at 1 p.m. ET for a webinar led by Laura Fredricks, JD and our lobbyist, Sally Schaeffer, who will provide an update on the Presidential Executive Orders and their impact on the sector. Stay tuned for more details and registration info.
- AFP Connect: AFP’s online discussion forum, AFP Connect, is a great place to engage in conversations with fellow members, ask questions, and share advice in a supportive environment. Recently, members have started posts with resources related to federal funding. You can use these discussions to stay up to date and ask your own questions to get help from fellow members:
o Federal Funding Freeze
o Federal Funding Resource Hub
- Opportunities at AFP ICON: If you plan to join us in Seattle in April for AFP ICON 2025, the networking events at AFP ICON including the PhilanthroPOP at MoPOP Reception on Monday night, presented by the AFP Advancement NW Chapter, as well as our Community Group Receptions on Sunday night, are great opportunities to further connect with members of the AFP community.
Signing up for an executive coaching session is an opportunity to receive personalized guidance from an experienced coach who understands the nuances of nonprofit leadership and philanthropy. Whether you're navigating a career transition, seeking strategies to enhance your leadership capabilities, or striving to elevate your fundraising results, a coaching session can provide actionable insights and tailored advice to help you succeed.
Despite the rollback of DEI initiatives taking place broadly throughout the government and private sector, AFP remains focused on creating spaces where every fundraiser—regardless of background, identity, or experience—feels valued and supported (stay tuned for a message from AFP’s IDEA Committee Chair with more on this in the coming weeks). Our Community Group Receptions at ICON are intended to be one of many places within AFP where everyone is welcome, without fear or judgement, to be their authentic selves and connect with one another. You can host your own Community Group Reception, or attend the Emerging Leaders, Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Access (IDEA), PAC, or International Receptions currently scheduled.
Knowing that AFP ICON may not be in the budget for all fundraisers, AFP is offering scholarships, such as the 2025 AFP ICON Blackbaud Development Fund Diversity Scholarship, to provide opportunities for professionals of all backgrounds, from organizations of all types, to attend this event. If you donated to the AFP Foundations for Philanthropy, or you or your organization are paying to attend AFP ICON this year, I want to also take this opportunity to extend a special thank you for your support. You’re investing in your own professional growth, but you’re also making an investment in our profession, and making it possible for AFP to provide the education and connections that sustain our industry and drive innovation, which is essential for our collective success.
- New Member Orientation (March 2025) All Members Welcome: On March 6, AFP’s membership team is hosting an orientation where new and long-time members can meet one another and learn about maximizing their AFP benefits. We’ll spend time together sharing the ways that AFP can enhance your career, then we’ll get out into breakout rooms for small-group discussions, allowing the opportunity for you to connect in a casual setting with a few of your fellow fundraisers. All members are welcome, so make sure you register!
- Mental Health Resources: To support our members' well-being, AFP offers a variety of mental health resources, including articles, webinars, and personal stories from your fellow fundraisers, focused on managing stress, preventing burnout, and fostering resilience. Prioritizing your own mental health is particularly challenging in the nonprofit sphere, but remember, you can’t pour from an empty cup—take care of yourself, and you’ll have the strength to help take care of your community.
AFP is a community where fundraisers lift one another up, share experiences, and create safe spaces to connect. So, I encourage you to reach out. Check in on a colleague. Share a resource. Ask for advice. Engage with your AFP community. Together, we can navigate these challenges, strengthen our profession, and continue making a difference in the world.
We’ll continue posting relevant updates on the impact of Executive Orders and potential cuts to federal funding to this new page within the advocacy section on AFP’s website.
In the meantime, please feel free to reach out to me at AFPChair@afpglobal.org with any questions or concerns, or to arrange a visit with your chapter or board. I’d love to hear from you.
