When my son was in Cub Scouts, and I was with Scouts for Equality, one of the values we both learned was to be prepared. If the last few weeks didn’t show us how important it is to be prepared for changes in the political world, I don’t know what will.
When I was in D.C. in late June, colleagues were anxious, despondent. Now there is a feeling of cautious optimism. Here in Chicago, there is excitement as folks prepare for the DNC next week. But we can’t take anything for granted.
With 81 days until the election, everyone is laser-focused on the possible outcomes. Yet we shouldn’t just be watching the polls and listening to the pundits.
We need to get prepared.
In the nonprofit community, of the many lessons from 2016, 2020, and 2022, one of the top is to be prepared - and for several different outcomes. We could have a progressive-leaning federal government, or a very conservative. We could have a divided government. We could have backlash at the state-level with state legislators becoming Project 2025 incubators. We could have the creation of a Blue Wall with progressive governors. Regardless, we do know that whatever outcome there is, it will be contested.
At Penchina Partners, we have been discussing with dozens of nonprofit leaders across the country about how to make sure their organization is prepared. Here are the five questions every nonprofit leader should be asking right now:
What are the exact scenarios I need to prepare for? Is it just about who wins the Presidential election? Who controls Congress? Your state’s legislature? What if we don’t know who won the election for weeks? What if there is political or other violence?
How will each scenario affect the beneficiaries that I serve? What steps do I need to take to effectively support and serve them?
What do I tell staff? How will those scenarios affect morale? What types of safe spaces can we create for staff? How can we maintain cultural stability, security, and cohesiveness?
How will donors respond? How can I leverage different outcomes? What does this mean for the fate of my programs? How can I be sure we’re seen as a funding priority regardless of who wins?
What does this mean for my work with allies and other supporters? In the wake of the 2016 election, people felt a genuine sense of helplessness – and also an urge to take action. How do I reach and engage my larger community to work with them effectively?
If you’re unsure about what may happen, and if it would help to have a third-party perspective asking you tough questions and questioning your assumptions, or how to talk through these questions with your board and staff – give us a call.
We bring years of work in politics and social justice movements, we’re fluent in how policy is made, and we understand the ins and outs of nonprofit enterprises and how they’re affected by the world around them.
There are fewer than 90 days until election day. Be a good scout and be prepared.
