From Moments to Movements: Building Fundraising Systems That Withstand Uncertainty

It’s happening again.

Over the last four months, I’ve had so many conversations with nonprofit leaders across the sector who are feeling that all-too-familiar pit in their stomach.

• Government funding is getting pulled.

• Multi-year grants aren’t being renewed.

• Donors are hesitating—watching the economy, feeling cautious, and giving less.

And it’s not just the financial uncertainty that’s heavy—it’s the emotional weight that comes with it. For a lot of folks, it feels like we’ve been here before.

Only five years ago, we were fundraising through COVID. Scrambling to shift, pivot, survive. Some organizations didn’t make it. Others barely did. And now, as funding tightens again, that same panic is creeping in.

Let me say this clearly: if this season feels like déjà vu, you're not imagining it—and you’re not alone.

Crisis Mode Isn’t a Long-Term Plan

In times like these, it’s easy to rely on what’s worked in the past: tell a powerful story, make an urgent ask, drive donations through emotion.

Those moments can raise money, no doubt. But they’re not a strategy. And they definitely don’t build sustainability.

What we need right now isn’t just more campaigns—it’s stronger systems.

Systems Create Stability, Especially When Things Feel Shaky

A good fundraising system won’t fix the economy or bring back lost grants. But it can give your organization something solid to stand on when everything else feels uncertain.

Here’s what I mean by “system”:

• A fundraising plan that isn’t just for next month, but for next year

• A way to build real relationships with donors—not just drop them into another appeal

• A structure that lets your development staff stop living in constant scramble mode

• A diversified mix of giving (individuals, recurring donors, major gifts) that gives you breathing room

When you have these systems in place, fundraising feels less like sprinting from fire to fire—and more like building something that can actually last.

What I’m Seeing That’s Working

The nonprofits I work with who are staying steady right now aren’t relying on one crisis or emotional story or one grant. They’ve built the infrastructure to keep moving, even when the outside world gets unpredictable.

Some of the things I’m seeing pay off:

• Clear fundraising calendars (that include time for planning and rest—not just asking)

• Monthly giving programs that bring in consistent revenue

• Stewardship systems that help deepen donor trust—not just thank-you emails

• Major giving strategies that focus on relationships, not pressure

• Development goals that match the organization’s actual capacity

This isn’t flashy work—but it’s the kind of work that leads to growth.

Let’s Be Honest…This Is Exhausting

This isn’t just a budgeting issue. This is emotional.

I’ve talked to nonprofit leaders and fundraising professionals this Spring who are…tired. Who are grieving the loss of a grant they worked hard to build. Who are carrying the pressure of keeping programs afloat and staff supported. Who feel like they’ve been doing everything right—and still, it’s not enough.

If that’s you: I see you. Truly, I do.

It’s easy to feel like you’re falling behind or failing. But chances are, you’re doing what so many of us are doing right now—trying to lead through a moment that doesn’t have a perfect playbook.

So, what can we do?

Shift the Focus: MOVING FROM THE FLASH MOMENT to the Foundation

This moment is asking us to build differently. Not just louder. Not just faster. But smarter, steadier, and more rooted in strategy.

Here’s what that can actually look like:

• Building a donor pipeline that reflects your values, not just your goals - the right people, on the right bus

• Getting clear on where your development time is actually going through a time management assessment

• Being brave enough to pause a fundraising or marketing campaign that no longer feels aligned

• Investing in tools and templates that support your team—so they’re not building from scratch every time

This work is hard enough without trying to fundraise from a place of panic

If you’re sitting in that tension right now—of wanting to do more, but feeling stretched thin—know this: you don’t have to build the future of your fundraising on your own. And you definitely don’t have to do it off the fumes of another emotional campaign.

Let’s stop fundraising around moments. Let’s build lasting movements.

The kind of fundraising that fuels your mission, sustains your team, and lasts far beyond whatever this year continues to throw our way.

At The Philanthropy Place, we help nonprofits strengthen their fundraising infrastructure through hands-on consulting, fractional development leadership, and strategies designed to go the distance. If you’re ready to rethink your approach, we’re here to build it with you.