What Happens When Funding Dries Up?
If you're feeling the weight of a shifting funding landscape, you're not alone.
Whether you're a frontline community worker, part of a leadership team, or somewhere in between, the current moment may be bringing up fear or hard questions about what’s next.
We’ve Been Here Before (And We Will Be Again)
The current climate of reduced funding is equally unexpected and predictable, especially for programs rooted in equity, healing, and systems change. Social sector work is always subject to political change and giving trends. We often feel lost when the budget shrinks because these shifts reflect broader forces outside our control. What is within our control is how we respond individually, collectively, and organizationally.
What Can Be Done?
This moment invites both realism and creativity. Here are a few starting points.
For Individuals:
Pause, ground and reassess. Before spiraling into panic, take a breath. Acknowledge the incredible work you’ve done. Celebrate your contributions.
Take stock. Quietly update your resume. Download copies of non-proprietary work you’re proud of. Make a list of your skills and accomplishments.
Listen. And prepare. Pay attention to what your leadership is saying. But also make space to reflect: Am I still aligned with this mission? What might be next for me if this chapter is ending?
For Teams:
Be a good human. You don’t need to fix everything for each other, but small acts of care go a long way. Checking in, acknowledging uncertainty, and even laughing together can make a huge difference in someone else’s day.
Protect the mission. If funding ends, can your team keep parts of the work going in other ways? Can you hold the flame while waiting for the next opportunity?
Name the loss. Make room to grieve potential changes. This may involve rituals or reflection to help honor what has been built.
For Leaders:
Be transparent (to the extent you can be.) People can handle uncertainty better when they aren’t left in the dark.
Recognize stress. Even if jobs aren’t on the line (yet), people are bracing for impact. Acknowledge that, and model steadiness without false promises.
Re-center the mission. What is essential? What can adapt or evolve? How can you involve your team in imagining what’s next?
Tips for Grounding in Nature:
Try reframing this moment as part of a larger cycle. While unexpected changes can be deeply painful, we can look to nature for inspiration and even guidance.
Step outside to reset your nervous system. If you feel yourself experiencing grief, anger or stress, it’s ok to sit with your emotions and reflect on them. Try shifting your environment and see if the emotions follow.
Don’t rush. Give yourself space away from others and take an intentional pause before making decisions about what is next.
Where Do We Go from Here?
Moments of organizational contraction can be excruciating. Sometimes they can also offer a chance to realign: to return to the mission, to check in with our sense of purpose, and to get creative about how the work continues.
The heart of your work doesn’t have to disappear when the funding does. Tend to this period of change gently and protect your vision of what comes next.
Mirasol Consulting supports individuals and organizations navigating uncertainty through facilitated retreats, strategic support, and space to recalibrate. Whether you're preparing for what’s next or reflecting on what’s been lost, we’re here to help you move with clarity and care.
Explore our offerings here.