The looming federal government shutdown is now a reality. The consequences are serious for many nonprofits.
Government shutdowns disrupt the essential work of nonprofit organizations. If your organization is funded by a government grant, payments may not come in on time and contracts may not be renewed on time.
If you don’t receive government funding, but you provide essential services, your organization may become flooded with additional need, as government employees are furloughed and laid off.
How can grant writers help?
In the short term, we can research and apply for emergency grants. They may not be widely advertised, but they are there. I talked about this here. Depending on your specific situation, make a case for the emergency grant funding based on your funding being cut off or your demand increasing. Either are valid reasons to apply for this type of funding.
We can also work to diversify grant funding, reducing reliance on government funding. Work on creating a grant calendar that mixes community foundation, family foundation, corporate, and government grants.
When things feel hopeless, I try to focus on the things directly within my control. I control the grant strategy, so I am employing these two solutions through the year’s end.
Until next time,
Write Epic Grants