Hey Grassrooter! Hopefully by now you’ve read my post on why funders sunset giving priorities. If not, maybe you had a chance to watch my Instagram video where I explain why this happens and give you a real life example of how I navigated this unique relationship.

Remember, “sunsetting” means the funder is discontinuing the allocation of grant dollars of a specific program area or priority.

So now for what to do. I know this sounds like the part where I say, “There’s nothing you can do, good luck!” But you’re wrong. I have three pieces of advice on how to move forward:

• The money may have dried up but your relationship doesn’t have to. Continue to cultivate this partnership by inviting them to coffee to catch up on what your organization has been up to, engaging them via your organization’s email communications, and checking in with them to see how they’re doing by sending a quick email or making an impromptu phone call.

  This keeps you top of mind especially for future opportunities (both with them or with others in their network).

  This also lets them know that you not only care about your work but also about how their organization is doing whether you receive funding or not.

  You always want them to connect your organization with the words genuine, authentic, and character.

• Ask them what their new priorities are. It’s important that you remain in the know with funding partner’s targets.

  You’ll need to think strategically about what your organization is doing and how you can tell your story to fit into a new strategic priority.

  It’s important to note that you shouldn’t change or veer away from your mission to fit a funder’s priority.

  Stay committed and true to your purpose while exploring new ways to tell your story in how it’s meeting a need.

• Don’t automatically count yourself out! Sometimes when funders go through these changes they expect to allocate all of their funds just to find that they may have been too specific, “ambitious”, and/or restrictive in these newfound priorities.

  Sometimes this results in all the funds not being allocated for that year.

  Who knows? After a quick reach out you may ask them about a program or project you’re working on and if there is an opportunity to turn in a proposal.

  They may need to get rid of those dollars for their fiscal year and all they can really do at the end of the day is say no!

Any questions about this or any other nonprofit fundraising and finance topics? Comment below or visit me online at www.gratefultograssroot.com and shoot me a message!