Making Sense of a Changing Landscape

Our goal is to help you feel grounded, confident, and purposeful in your approach to supporting nonprofits and communities—even in times of change.

We recently hosted a webinar, Making Sense of a Changing Landscape: Guidance for Vermont Donors, to explore how donors can navigate the evolving needs and challenges facing their communities. Below you’ll find some of the key takeaways from that conversation, followed by practical tools you can use to guide your giving in Vermont.

Key Takeaways & Tips 

Embrace uncertainty 

• Waves of impact: We’re only beginning to see how shifts in public funding will affect nonprofits and the communities they serve. The greatest impacts are expected in the years ahead as state budgets are adjusted in the context of the new federal funding landscape. Stay flexible and keep an open mind–your support matters to address short-term needs and to build longer-term solutions. 

• Communicate, coordinate, collaborate: Three practices that donors and nonprofits are using to adapt effectively. Share ideas, overcome barriers, and amplify your impact alongside fellow funders, community members, and your partners at VCF. Your Philanthropic Advisor is available to support you. 

Give with purpose 

• Share your intentions: Whether you’re sustaining, expanding, or shifting your giving, let your nonprofit partners know what to expect. Transparency reduces uncertainty and helps organizations plan effectively. Or if you don’t know, be direct with nonprofits about your questions and concerns. Invite them to share more information about their challenges and needs. 

• Shift to flexible support: Consider moving one or more of your grants from program-specific funding to general operating support, giving organizations flexibility. 

• Make multi-year commitments: Provide trusted partners with stability and the ability to plan for the long term. Multi-year support strengthens organizational resilience and impact. 

• Start small: Meaningful action doesn’t need to be perfect. Even one “learning” grant or small step can help you explore new approaches and build confidence as a funder. 

Lean into community 

• Go deeper with a few organizations: Pair time and talent with your giving. Deep, meaningful engagement builds trust, increases comfort with risk, and strengthens relationships. This deeper connection can make it easier to feel confident about making larger or multi-year gifts. 

• Support systems change: Join collaborative efforts and support advocacy, grassroots organizing, and systems change initiatives that are playing the long game. Collaborative giving addresses root causes and strengthens communities over time. Examples: The following funds at VCF support systems level work including convening, facilitating, technical assistance grants, and sector coordination and collaboration.  
  • Philanthropic Leadership Fund 
  • Special and Urgent Needs Fund 
  • Nonprofit Capacity Building Fund 
  • Opportunity Fund  

Actionable Tools

• Revisit Your Philanthropic Compass
  It may be helpful to revisit the mission, vision, and values that guide your philanthropy. Use these worksheets to ground yourself in purpose.

• Balance Your Priorities
  Use this worksheet to map your giving priorities and visualize how your support can address immediate needs while also building more effective systems for the future.

• Explore our Giving Guide
  With activities to explore your giving and fresh insights, this guide is designed to help you clarify your goals and make strategic, values-driven decisions about your philanthropy.

Together, we can strengthen Vermont’s communities today while building a more resilient and vibrant future for the generations to come.