Newsletter - April 2025

What’s helping you stay focused these days?

After many unsuccessful attempts, I have finally begun to embrace the joy and calm that comes from meditation! My racing mind has always pushed back on the process, but I’ve loved listening to Tara Brach to learn about and practice finding some tranquility. If you’ve been on the meditation sidelines like I was, consider giving it a try! You can find out more at www.tarabrach.com and listen to guided meditations and her podcast on Spotify here.

Aside from finding my zen, in April I spoke about the impact of an uncertain economy on fundraising at a conference and was also interviewed on the topic on the Mission Forward podcast (info and link coming soon!). I’m glad to share that we're starting to see glimmers of action from foundations responding to the funding cuts/rug-pulling from the government.

On a more positive note, springtime in DC has been the perfect balm for all the chaos. Hope you’re somewhere you can enjoy blooms and sunshine.

Nadine Gabai-Botero, MA, CFRE
President

ICYMI: Navigating Philanthropy in Uncertain Times

Thank you to everyone who joined me at Spur Local’s National Nonprofit Summit last week. I always love being part of their annual conference, and I particularly appreciated hearing how organizations are dealing with fiscal challenges right now.

For those who couldn’t attend, I’ve shared some of my key takeaways in a new blog post: “Navigating Philanthropy in Uncertain Times.” You can read the full post here.

New Client Spotlight

We’re thrilled to welcome Community of Hope to Focus! For 45 years, COH has been providing critical services to improve the lives of those most in need in DC, including offering medical care as a federally qualified health center, initiatives to end and reduce family homelessness, and other vital community support. We’re looking forward to helping them deepen their internal and external systems for donor engagement to raise increased revenue. For more information on their mission and work, click here.

Resisting Through Action

Each month, we´re sharing information to help you navigate the impact of current policy changes in your everyday life.

This month, we are pleased (and relieved!) to see in the Chronicle of Philanthropy that foundations are increasing grants and bringing more flexibility to their grantmaking to address financial cuts and challenges that nonprofits are facing. The Trust Based Philanthropy Project, together with the National Center for Family Philanthropy and Grantmakers for Effective Organizations, recently put out a statement of solidarity and shared specific ways they will support nonprofits, including committing to multi-year, unrestricted funding, increasing their grantmaking budget, offering rapid response funding, being flexible on grant distribution timing, and more. For details on this initiative and to see the list of funders participating, click here.

Resource In Focus

🖥️ Check out our services and see how we can help you Focus. We offer complimentary 30-minute consultations, so if you’ve got a challenge you want to talk through, you need back-up on your team during a transition or while staff are on leave, or you want strategic guidance to boost results, reach out!

📊Visit our blog for insights, strategies, and tactics to help your organization thrive.

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