A Steady Role for Nonprofit Boards in Unsteady Times
"What do we do? How can we help? How will we survive?"
These were the questions every nonprofit leader was asking in March 2020, when it became clear that COVID-19 would not pass quickly but instead settle in and reshape our lives. At that time, I was an adjunct professor of social impact at the Kellogg School of Management, leading the Kellogg Board Fellows program. All of our MBA students were embedded on nonprofit boards, serving ex officio and wrapping up important projects.
It was a moment that called for clarity, humility, and coordinated action. Nonprofit leaders recommitted to their missions, made difficult decisions, and turned to trusted sources of guidance. Many organizations found strength they didn't know they had. And now, just as we have begun to catch our breath, we find ourselves in another period of disruption much sooner than we could have expected.
With federal funding cuts affecting everything from social services to environmental protection, arts programs to public diplomacy, board members once again find themselves asking how they can be most useful. This moment doesn't need to be wasted. Below are a few reflections to support board engagement and leadership during this time of change.
Begin with Perspective
Federal funding often affects more than just a line item. Whether through direct grants, public contracts, or broader systems that support partners and communities, the impact of cuts can reach further than expected.
A few useful questions:
Where, directly or indirectly, does federal support touch our work?
Who might be most affected if that support diminishes?
Are we in communication with our partners to understand the bigger picture?
Awareness helps anchor thoughtful planning.
Revisit Strategy with a Clear Eye
Strategic plans are meant to guide, not confine. It may be time to revisit your organization's goals and consider where updates or adjustments are warranted. Some initiatives may need to move more quickly; others may need to pause or evolve.
What matters most is staying aligned with the mission while adapting to real circumstances.
Strengthen Communication
This is a time when clarity matters. Board members can support the leadership team in crafting consistent and steady messaging, internally and externally.
You might help share:
How the organization is navigating the current landscape
What's changing or under review
Ways others can be supportive
When board members echo that message in their conversations and networks, it reinforces stability and shared direction.
Stay Close to the Finances
Even if the organization isn't feeling the full effect of cuts yet, it's important to remain engaged with financial oversight. Ask meaningful questions. Look at projections with curiosity. Seek to understand not just where things stand, but what options might be available.
For example:
Are there opportunities to strengthen financial resilience?
Are we balancing today's needs with long-term priorities?
What would help us feel more prepared for future shifts?
This isn't about alarm—it's about care.
Explore New Possibilities
Sometimes, constraints make room for collaboration. This might be the moment to initiate or revisit conversations about partnerships, shared infrastructure, or other creative alignments with like-minded organizations.
If it becomes clear that deeper collaboration—even a merger—could enhance mission delivery, boards have a role to play in approaching that dialogue with openness and intention.
Support the People Behind the Work
Staff, and especially leadership, are carrying a great deal right now. The board can help by reinforcing a culture that acknowledges this and offers support through listening, thoughtfulness, and, where appropriate, practical adjustments.
Showing up with empathy matters.
Stay Involved
The most helpful board members in uncertain times are often the ones who remain present. That might mean checking in more often, responding quickly when questions arise, or simply remaining a calm and engaged thought partner.
You don't need to solve every problem. But your commitment and steadiness make a difference.
There are many places board members can turn for additional insight and perspective. A few resources I continue to respect include:
Each offers tools, articles, or conversations that can help deepen understanding and strengthen board leadership.
We can't prevent every disruption. But we can choose to show up with clarity, consistency, and care. That kind of board service—quietly confident, mission-aligned, and forward-looking—can help carry an organization through whatever comes next.
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