Nonprofits Are Under Attack
Volunteers prepare and distribute aid packages, including food, water, and medicine, as part of a community outreach effort.
Every week, there seems to be a new headline targeting nonprofits. One day it's attacks on DEI initiatives; the next, it's questioning the legitimacy of entire missions. In a climate where mission-driven work is increasingly politicized, being caught off guard can have serious consequences. If your nonprofit is already under scrutiny or you sense your work could soon be in the crosshairs, now is the time to act.
Below are practical steps you can take today to protect your organization, your people, and the communities you serve. The more prepared you are, the more possible it will be to stay focused on your mission while protecting your organization and its employees.
ASSESS YOUR RISK APPETITE
Talk to your internal and external stakeholders and discuss what makes sense for you to do given your mission, your position, your resources, and your long-term objectives. Look around at what is happening in the sector and candidly consider what you can tolerate and what is a bridge too far, keeping in mind your need to continue operating now and into the future.
BE VIGILANT
Watch out for infiltrators and bad actors, on your mailing lists, at your events, and on your social media feeds. Alert relevant staff about people to look out for who may have bad intentions for interacting with your organization, and have a plan in place to address concerns.
PLAN FOR EVERY SCENARIO
This is a good time to revisit your risk management plans. Decide now how you will act and respond to things like: online or physical attacks, pullback of funders, congressional investigations, litigation, and threats to your tax-exempt status. Identify gaps in your plans and systems. Consider all impacts including reputational, programmatic, operational, financial, and security/safety.
MAKE PLANS AND MUSTER RESOURCES
Anticipating what might happen allows you to plan now, calmly and strategically, for how you'll respond when a crisis hits. Create and train on clear protocols so everyone knows their role, how to coordinate, and how to communicate effectively. Identify areas where your team may need extra support, and make connections in advance to bring in additional expertise or services if a future incident could overwhelm your current capacity.
JOIN COALITIONS AND ASSOCIATIONS
There is safety in numbers, and many organizations like the National Council of Nonprofits and Democracy Forward are leading the fight on behalf of other organizations. Don’t try to go it alone if you can do it together. Joining a group allows you to share intelligence and resources.
DON’T PICK FIGHTS YOU DON’T NEED
Remember that risk appetite I suggested you assess above? Remind yourself of that every time something happens that you feel you must respond or react to. If the issue is central to your mission and purpose, you may be compelled to speak up. But if it’s just awful and doesn’t affect your organization directly, let others take the lead and offer support from behind the scenes. Translation: Save your powder for when you really need it.
AND FINALLY, GET BACK TO WORK
After you have done all this, you can get back to focusing on the issues and communities you were intended to serve, knowing you are ready for whatever comes your way. They need your support now more than ever, so getting prepared benefits them, too.
