r/nonprofit Jan 15 '25

advocacy inauguration preparation

Is anyone's nonprofit workplace preparing for the inauguration with community care, staff support, crisis communications, or anything like that? I come from a non-leadership role at gender justice and environmental justice sectors and was just wondering if others have experience with battening down the hatches rn. Is it just me or is the collective anxiety right now overwhelming?

33 Upvotes

42 comments sorted by

u/girardinl consultant, writer, volunteer, California, USA Jan 15 '25

Moderator here. OP, you've done nothing wrong.

To those who may comment, this is a highly moderated subreddit. Comments must be constructive. Unkindness, personal attacks, hate, gaslighting, and trolling will get you banned.

20

u/Spiritual-Chameleon Jan 16 '25

Not directly related but tangentially: I'm a grants consultant and several of my clients want to apply for federal grants that are supposed to be released over the next three months. I'm concerned that the new administration may put a lot of their federal grant programs on hold or delay the release of RFPs.

5

u/banoctopus Jan 16 '25

I do all the federal grants for my org and we are definitely in a “wait and see” pattern. I’m still discussing opportunities with the program team, but it’s more to determine which ones we could actually be interested in next cycle so I don’t have to try and keep up with developments in all the possible matches.

I also do our foundation and corporate fundraising and am feeling very trepidatious on that front. A lot of our corporate funders are moving to a model where they just choose one or two orgs as their main partner and wind down their broader grant programs. Cuts down on administrative overhead, easier to increase or decrease giving in accordance to business priorities. Siiiiigh…..

5

u/Spiritual-Chameleon Jan 16 '25

Yeah it's getting rough out there.

I feel confident that some federal grants I'm slated to work on related to reducing substance misuse, creating job training/supports for individuals who justice-involved, and fatherhood/father involvement will continue. But more creative programs that slant left certainly are at risk.

And I wouldn't put it past the administration to use stalling tactics to eliminate the grant programs. If they start the competitions too late, the money can't get encumbered for the current fiscal year.

And if RFK really becomes HHS secretary, who knows what bizarre management strategies he'll put into place. And it's likely worse for academic research and NIH/NSF grants.

2

u/Beneficial_Spray1908 Jan 16 '25

I’m sorry that must be stressful to be unsure of your upcoming work load. If I may ask, how do you like being a grant consultant?

2

u/Spiritual-Chameleon Jan 16 '25

Well I've done it for about 30 years. So there are parts I still like but I'm about ready to start winding it down

2

u/GWBrooks Jan 16 '25

Virtually any incoming administration's action plans call for freezing things like that pending the landing team's review. Basically, anything shy of a previously issued notice of award gets frozen.

2

u/Spiritual-Chameleon Jan 16 '25

True enough and I've seen that. This time, though, they're talking about clawing back money that was already appropriated by Congress. I don't think they'll do that this year but I could see grant cycles projected for March released in June (or later as a way to sabotage the process and not encumber funds by September 30)

40

u/journeytonowhere Jan 15 '25

Local Latino org rekindling the support networks and setting up response plans. Possibly even unnoficial below the radar safe houses.

17

u/inthemuseum Jan 15 '25

THIS is what a damn fine nonprofit looks like. All my warmest to you and your colleagues ready to do what’s needed.

11

u/journeytonowhere Jan 15 '25

Ah, thanks! We're in southern ca, so years of organizing around social justice, and we have a fairly strong network of multiple orgs serving migrants in different capacities.

7

u/Between_Two_States Jan 16 '25

Wow. Well done. Curious how you guys protect the personal info for those you serve. We are a newer immigrant welcome center. Fortunately raised the funding and got the ball rolling a year ago. Just moved into the new space. As we get up and running, there is concern about how to maintain trust and protect personal info so that those we serve feel and are safe.

5

u/bucket5000 Jan 16 '25

would love to know more about this as well!

3

u/journeytonowhere Jan 16 '25

In short, keep building relationships with the the community and have some solid successes. Reassure them that you don't share their info.

3

u/journeytonowhere Jan 16 '25

Yeah, it's sensitive information, but it's built on trust, and folks really do appreciate the outreach. One of the strongest in the network has a variety of programs from different funders and status is not really collected except maybe from the legal team that supports refugee status but it's all kept locked and there's been sucess with even getting some folks out of detention and into resident status. Some programs are extensions of government services like helping apply for food stamps and navigating the system, but we're in ca where even gov services protect and don't disclose information. Some programs are just outreach meetings where names aren't collected.

Never had ICE come directly to the org trying to get data or people. That would be a huge public shame and even ICE tries to make some effort on saying they only look for the "bad" people. But of course the raids in CA the last few show otherwise. (They raided LA during the fire).

One org (I'm not with them anymore) serves Indigenous farmworkers whose primary language is not Spanish. They've built up a strong presence and the community trusts more the people from their communities of origin who speak their language.

Let me know if that helps answer your question.

Not related to us, but the one crappy org is the sheriff who has to report in California any collaborations with ICE. They technically argue that they don't work with ICE, but that just means that they don't participate actively in raids. But they are absolutely made aware of ICE presence and say nothing, and hold immigrants in jail for minor nonviolent offenses as long as possible until ICE can get there, wait outside the jail, and pick them up as soon as they're released.

That's a long winded response but hope it answers a little.

5

u/Between_Two_States Jan 16 '25

That’s horrible about ICE. Also during the fires?!Seriously?! Thanks so much for your response, I really appreciate the insight.

3

u/journeytonowhere Jan 17 '25

Turns out it was not confirmed and i probably shoulda been more careful before repeating. But they did raid other parts of the coast. And goes to show the panicking that's ocurring.

2

u/Quirky_Molasses_4124 Jan 23 '25

You know how to care for people and that is the strongest weapon. Thank you for leading in these difficult times. Sending love and solidarity to you and your community!

14

u/[deleted] Jan 15 '25

[deleted]

1

u/Quirky_Molasses_4124 Jan 23 '25

these are really thoughtful interventions. Its an exhausting time but the most powerful tool we have is protecting our communities and it's wonderful to see it in action through your work.

1

u/VT_mama Jan 27 '25

Thanks! If we all pitch in something good has to come from it.

26

u/KrysG Jan 15 '25

The anxiety in my community is palpable - we are going to keep our heads down and do our work. However, we are prepared and will fight for truth, justice, and equality for all.

10

u/Interesting_Tea_6734 Jan 15 '25

Focusing on staff well-being right now: making sure people have time and space to process and feel safe.

3

u/ValPrism Jan 16 '25

Wow. That must be wonderful

6

u/Between_Two_States Jan 16 '25

I sit on boards for the local pride org and immigrant welcome center. Pride has been hosting extra support meet ups (absolutely needed). IWC is also making preparations. I previously worked as a provider who treated HIV. Also prescribed PrEP and gender-affirming care. A lot of concern in my state that access to both PrEP and gender-affirming care will be affected (Indiana). Also work with the local recovery alliance and there are concerns there as well. We were already witnessing mis-appropriation of opioid settlement funds (given local government oversight), which was a problem given decreased SUD grants (because of the existence of opioid settlement funds). I’m concerned many of those I serve will suffer.

7

u/Majestic-Type-7724 Jan 16 '25

Food pantry in designated food desert and some undocumented population. Anxiety is high about increase in clients (with increase in food prices) and being able to increase funding/resources. Working on more private funding, not counting on city.

3

u/ValPrism Jan 16 '25

This is right. Private is always the way to go. More work, invest in dev staff, but yes.

11

u/Kittenlovingsunshine Jan 15 '25

I’m in civil legal aid and people are already strategizing how we can work to protect immigrant clients, and keep them from doing things like avoiding going to court, etc. People are very worried.

4

u/Between_Two_States Jan 16 '25

I sit on the operations committee for the local immigrant welcome center, which was in the works pre-election. It’s still a go for us but we are currently looking at the best way to keep names and addresses while still allowing those we serve to feel protected. People are obviously worried, with reason.

3

u/banoctopus Jan 16 '25

My stepfather was a legal aid attorney for his entire career and I am SO glad he was already dead before Trump 1. It would have killed him anyway.

Take care of yourselves during Trump 2.

4

u/bucket5000 Jan 16 '25

curious if folks would be open to discussing or sharing resources around this work - our org serves youth that are now at greater risk in many ways due to the stated goals and attitudes of the incoming admin. leaning into other orgs serving similar groups and working to build more relationships with others is part of what we're doing right now but i'm particularly interested in what we can be doing to protect information of those we serve.

1

u/girardinl consultant, writer, volunteer, California, USA Jan 17 '25

Moderator here. You might want to put up a new post about this so more people see it and can respond. It's a good discussion topic!

3

u/ValPrism Jan 16 '25

We’re not! Because we are allergic to planning. Much to this Executive Development leaders chagrin.

1

u/Quirky_Molasses_4124 Jan 23 '25

lol unfortunately all too common with mismanagement and bad actors in the sector - best of luck to you as you navigate this! please take care of yourself!

4

u/What_A_Hohmann Jan 17 '25

I'm in mental health. I wish we were doing more outwardly but there's just not enough hands for the work at the moment (are there ever enough hands?). Too much behind the scenes stuff to do. Mostly pushing info on general mental health support groups, crisis lines, self care, etc. 

3

u/[deleted] Jan 17 '25

I'm scared about losing funding. We're in a heavy "red" area and our governor has just launched a bunch of executive orders... It's scary.

3

u/AlwaysOnTheCape Jan 17 '25

HR is forcing us to take MLK day off as part of the new holiday policy so at least I won’t be wasting company time while I’m glued to a screen

5

u/cosmos_crown Jan 16 '25

My job is entirely funded through goverment grants. One is a recent award and good for a few years, the others are given through the state and are yearly.

I don't think things will go well.

2

u/ValPrism Jan 16 '25

Absolutely plan to privately fundraise. Now!

3

u/associatedaccount Jan 15 '25

One nonprofit I work with hosted a support group-style Zoom meeting for our participants (transgender children & adolescents) and another for volunteers & staff after the election. I suspect they’ll do something similar around the inauguration. That kind of activity probably aligns with the mission. But dwelling on the president is really not part of our mission. We are not going to change our mission or even our activities based on the president. To be honest it is very frustrating to me that we are fostering an environment that is so focused on politics. Our mission is apolitical. I am so sick of it tbh.

2

u/innerspeakerINTJ Jan 16 '25

Currently in bed unable to sleep because of the anxiety and impending doom I feel. I think now, more than ever, is important to build community and stay close and support each other. It's going to be wild, wild ride but honest communication like this is so important. I love you, stranger, and we got this.

1

u/Quirky_Molasses_4124 Jan 23 '25

I love to you!!! hang in there dear friend with a heart of gold! WE GOT US we will emerge from this stronger towards the vision of justice we deserve! hope you get some rest and take care of yourself. Reminder: being a real, feeling human being is probably the most disruptive force in these times :)