Supporting Nonprofits Through Uncertainty with Flexibility, Collaboration, and Data

In early 2025, nonprofits across the Greater Washington, DC region faced a perfect storm: sudden funding losses, rising demand for services, and deep uncertainty. A July survey of more than 240 local nonprofits found 38% had lost federal funding. Yet, far more, 61%, reported being affected by policy changes overall, showing the impact goes well beyond federal grant dollars. Even with stable budgets, these organizations are strained by policy uncertainty that makes it difficult or impossible to plan, increased demand, delayed or canceled initiatives, and hiring freezes or layoffs. In the nation’s capital, these effects are magnified as displaced federal workers seek support. Capital Area Food Bank, for example, reports it has served 3.16 million more meals this year. 

In response, the Greater Washington Community Foundation launched the Community Resilience Initiative to help nonprofits continue their work without disruption. To support nonprofits, the initiative has successfully leveraged convenings, including bi-weekly funder meetings and joint sessions with nonprofits to align needs and resources in real time; sector and regional advocacy to communicate the sector’s impact and respond to policies that threaten its stability; technical assistance through legal, communications, and strategic planning support; and grants to direct service providers, technical assistance providers, and advocacy organizations. 

From the outset, the initiative was anchored in flexibility, collaboration, and data. Based on insights from the survey and ongoing conversations with nonprofits, three things became clear early on.

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Source: Candid, written by Darius Graham Managing Director of Community Investment, Greater Washington Community Foundation