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7 hours ago

How to be good givers in uncertain times

By Jeannette Andre

Maine’s nonprofits are navigating one of the most turbulent periods in recent memory.

In February, decisions to cancel grants, rescind promised funding and generally shift the resource relationship between nonprofits and the federal government threw the sector into a tailspin.

Resources once committed to environmental remediation, legal aid for low-income individuals and food assistance were suddenly paused or clawed back through costly litigation. At the same time, organizations serving immigrants, LGBTQ+ communities, and communities of color have faced an increasingly hostile climate, making their work both more urgent and more at risk.

At Maine Philanthropy Center, we recognized that funders were eager to respond quickly and that nonprofits needed flexible resources to strengthen their capacity and withstand this challenging environment. We launched the Readiness & Response Fund, a collective philanthropic response, to do just that. As I write this, the Fund has received 142 applications totaling over $2.3 million in requests — many more requests than what can be met right now.

The Fund has taught us what “good giving” looks like right now, offering four clear ways you can make a meaningful impact.

Make multi-year commitments

One of the top themes was anxiety about sustainability. Nonprofits can make payroll today, but they worry about next year, or the year after. That’s why multi-year commitments are so powerful. They give organizations breathing room to plan ahead, retain staff and keep focus on mission instead of constant fundraising.

If you can’t commit to a large gift, commit to consistency. Even a smaller multi-year pledge is meaningful because it allows for planning and stability.

Don’t wait for nonprofits to ask

The leaders who applied to the Fund described being stretched thin — already under-resourced and responding to urgent needs. In that reality, waiting for a nonprofit to come to you with a formal request puts an added burden on them.

Be proactive. Reach out to the organizations you care about and ask what they need. If you know an organization that has faced a funding loss, check in and see if your support could help bridge the gap.

Invest in capacity, not just programs

The most frequent requests in the Fund were for technology and cybersecurity upgrades, staff retention and wellness, legal preparedness, and crisis communications. These are the backbone of resilience, even if they aren’t always visible to the outside world.

Provide unrestricted support and trust nonprofits to know where the dollars matter most.

See yourself as part of a collective response

One donor can’t close a $2.3 million gap. But together, funders and donors can move the needle. Consider joining or investing in pooled funds or collaborations. Collective action not only expands impact, it also lightens the pressure on nonprofits who would otherwise have to navigate dozens of separate conversations.

Moving to action

Good giving today means giving generously with an abundance mindset, being proactive, building long-term relationships and investing in the infrastructure that allows our communities to thrive.

It’s easy to get stuck waiting until every detail is sorted or the perfect strategy is in place. But when needs are this urgent, “perfect” is the enemy of good. Will you, as a foundation, business, or individual donor, choose to act boldly by standing with nonprofits and communities on the frontlines of care and justice?

To start, I invite you to:

• Join our community and build something bigger, together

• Adopt an abundance mindset to give more, and give boldly

• Call your community in to join you because generosity and courage are contagious.

Jeannette Andre is executive director of the Maine Philanthropy Center.

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