We’ve sifted through our files for a few of our most-read posts of 2016. Here’s the advice Roger gave fundraisers the day after the US Presidential election went to Donald Trump.

What’s Next?

We all woke up on this post-election morning to uncertainty and turmoil.

What does the election of Donald Trump mean?

Of course, no one really knows. Fear, anger, hope, disappointment, rage and joy bounce off our collective emotional wall.

Those of us in progressive advocacy fundraising view President-elect Trump as the Orange Menace. Civil liberties, civil rights, environmental, community organizing and a host of others are already laying plans to mitigate the coming damage by rallying their donors.

“Let the Resistance Begin” is our battle cry. A repeat of the same feelings we had when Ronald Regan swept into office in 1980. The result? An enormous wave of liberal support sprang up to meet that “menace”.

Those advocacy groups on the other side will move immediately to defend and advance their revolution. They’ll have a tougher time because it’s always more difficult to motivate ideological donors following a victory.

Those whose organizations are not ideologically or politically oriented face a different set of challenges and opportunities. How to rally and motivate their donors and the public to provide the volunteers and financial support needed to deal with the hundreds of thousands of Latino kids whose parents may soon be deported?

Those who deal with the hungry, homeless, the destitute and the drugged destitute are scrambling to figure out how to make up for the coming cuts in government programs, further reduction in health care for the poorest among us, and a host of other coming — or at least imagined — miseries.

And every fundraiser — regardless of their organization’s mission is numbly wondering on this post-election morning: What does the turmoil in the financial markets mean for year-end giving and beyond? How does the heated climate of division, partisanship and, most of all uncertainty affect our immediate and long-term future?

One of the rare advantages of advancing age is I’ve been there before. So, here are my thoughts on how to best cope with what’s ahead, what’s next.

Of course, Tom and I will be back to you with more specifics as we learn more and discover what others are doing. But, for this morning here’s some advice.

1. Stay Calm and Refer to the Past. In 1980, the last big political revolution in the U.S., advocacy groups opposed to the Reagan agenda mobilized, rallied their donors and constituents and enjoyed the best fundraising and growth decade since their founding.

In the global financial crisis of 2007-2008 and beyond we discovered that the negative financial impact of a recession and tumultuous financial markets was not evenly spread. And neither was its effect on giving.

In general, the organizations that reported the biggest decline in income were the ones that pulled back on or reduced their fundraising activities.

LESSON LEARNED:  Do not stop communicating with donors and asking for support or investing in your acquisition and other fundraising programs. Get your board and CEO onboard with this strategy right now.

2. Stay Focused on Your Organization’s Performance and Sustainability. Now’s the time to focus on cutting efforts that are not producing strong returns and beef up areas that are producing. Fundraising, providing first rate donor service and experiences are all important. Don’t cut costs (in fact, step them up) in this area and continue to ask your donors and prospects for support.

Now more than ever, the work of the nonprofit sector is more essential than ever. So sharpen your case for support and tell you story as beautifully and as emotionally as you can. Focus on the impact your organization is having in these troubled times.

Be prepared for the questions your donors will ask — and they’ll be asking more than normal — and have a clear story of how you’re prepared to meet the uncertain future.

3. Get Your Board, and CEO Involved More Than Ever. It’s essential that the entire organization be involved in the fundraising strategy and work with you to achieve it. This is no time to hide your concerns and not the time to demand anything less than full involvement from everyone.

4. Don’t Be Surprised. You can expect lots of turmoil and uncertainty in the weeks/month/years ahead. As I write the DOW Future is down 400 points, the Asian markets are off 5%, and there will be some feeling of “panic”. Don’t you panic.

Realize that nonprofits have a unique psychological place in a panic. To their supporters they’re a known, dependable island of calm in a raging sea. Reach out to your donors, provide them with clear and compelling evidence of the even-greater importance of your programs and the increased needs of the beneficiaries you serve.

Don’t assume that all donors will react the same. Not all donors will stop or slow their giving. Some will increase it. And some will increase it by a sizeable amount.

5. Get Your Reporting/Metrics in Order. Now, if ever, you need current and accurate information.

Take steps this morning and ask your donor service folks to let you know immediately the types of questions and comments they’re getting from donors. Gather folks in together and discuss the appropriate, candid answers to these questions to assure your donors are well informed.

Begin calculating income/expense reports and projections on a weekly basis. You can’t manage what you don’t calculate. So focus on the few metrics that will best alert you — and the Board and top management — to developing circumstances and problems that deserve the organization’s immediate attention and possible changes in strategy.

6. Remember The Power of Resilience. When we’re sure it’s not going to work, when we can’t figure out where to turn, when we don’t know what to do next just doing the best we can in small ways will help us move forward.  And when those small steps don’t seem to be working, try something else.

Your determined attitude and small moves forward will encourage others, and sooner than you expect this contagion of determination and small steps forward will produce solid, lasting results that will bring your organization safely to the future.

Remember, if you don’t fight for what you want, don’t cry for what you lost.

What steps are you taking?

Roger

P.S.  I’m writing this as the last election turns are coming in and the world is awakening to what many regard as shocking and disturbing news.  We’ll be following up with more thoughts and recommendations in the coming days.