We are all far too aware of the historic challenges of 2020. While much has been written about the acute challenges brought on by the pandemic, the shuttering of businesses, protests, violence and divisiveness, I find that another element lurks just beneath the surface, amplifying the strain caused by these issues: uncertainty.

The challenges we face are of a scale and scope that occurs once in a generation. But it is the uncertain nature, the lack of a pathway forward that has caused some of the greatest stress and anxiety for our communities:

This uncertainty has hit the nonprofit sector particularly hard. Estimates suggest that more than 7% of nonprofit jobs have been lost, and it could be years before those figures rebound. Organizations faced with a rapidly growing demand for their services find it difficult to plan 12 months, six months or even three months in advance. This is not merely a time when budgets must be trimmed or a single program adapted. In many ways, foundational elements of nonprofit work required adjustment and continued adaptation. While the distribution of a vaccine brings hope, experts expect it will still be some time before we can expect “normalcy” to return.

Despite these challenges, some strategies can help nonprofits successfully navigate this uncertain future and even strengthen their foundation for long-term success. We have seen these strategies prove their efficacy historically and under the constraints of the last year to successfully serve those in need when the rules of how we engage continue to shift.

  • Keep telling your story.
  • Seek collaborators.
  • Lean into relationships.

Read the full article about nonprofit uncertainty by Steven Moore at Forbes.