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** Ask a Nonprofit Expert: Pivoting from Federal Funding
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September 25, 2025

Welcome back to Ask a Nonprofit Expert, the nonprofit sector’s go-to advice column where seasoned nonprofit leaders offer advice and answers about how to build thriving, equitable organizations.

In today’s issue, Rochelle Jerry, CFRM, answers a reader’s question about pivoting from relying on federal funding to mission-aligned private donors.

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Pivoting from Reliance on Federal Funds to Mission-Aligned Private Donors

By Rochelle Jerry

Dear Ask a Nonprofit Expert,

I’m trying to figure out how to do a funding pivot from relying on federal funds to that of finding mission-aligned private donors.

Sincerely,

Figuring It Out

Dear Figuring It Out,

First, I want to affirm what you’re feeling. Relying heavily on federal funds can feel like both a blessing and a limitation—providing stability for a time, but leaving you vulnerable when policies, priorities, or budgets shift. The fact that you’re thinking about a pivot shows real foresight and leadership.

When moving toward private, mission-aligned donors, here are a few strategies to ground your next steps.

1. Reframe Your Case for Support

Private donors want to see themselves as partners in impact. Take the language you’ve used in federal reports—outcomes, compliance, benchmarks—and translate it into a compelling story about people and community transformation. Ask: What problem are we solving? How does our mission uniquely address it? What happens if we don’t? That’s the narrative that resonates with individuals, foundations, and even corporations, because they want to see how they can contribute. Remember that fundraising is an optimistic profession that serves society well, especially in times of distress.

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