Message From the President & CEO
We’re wrapping up a volatile year and heading into another year of uncertainty for the nonprofit sector and grant seeking. As we continue to navigate this season, we’re standing by our values and commitments to our nonprofit clients. We see you, we hear you, and we support you.
On December 4, we held a webinar, The Inside Scoop: Insights for Grant Seeking in an Uncertain Climate, exclusively for our current clients. Resurgens Impact Consulting has helped over 100 nonprofits secure more than $157 million in grant funds since 2015, and we have to say — 2025 has been the toughest year we’ve experienced.
Many of us are dealing with some tough stuff. We all know 2025 has been difficult, so this wasn’t a shock. Here are some of the key takeaways:
😵💫 Big changes are throwing us for a loop. We’ve heard repeatedly throughout the last year that our entire sector — nonprofits and funders alike — is being rocked by changes ranging from the surge in AI to the federal policy shifts to the economy writ large.
🧭 We’re navigating uncertain territory. The sweeping changes result in uncertainty, making it difficult to plan (but still necessary). We recommend scenario planning and risk assessments as key approaches to navigating uncertainty.
🫂 We’re all trying to figure it out together. It’s ok to say, “We don’t know right now, but we are committed to our mission, and we need help and dialogue to forge a path forward.”
🤝 Grants are becoming increasingly relational. We discussed funder relationship-building, moves management, and how to make grant seeking more personal. We emphasized relationships, outreach, and cultivation as the most important strategies for grant success.
🗓️ Grants are a long game. It’s important to be consistent and persistent. Grant funders can move slowly, but you feel the pressure to raise money now. Grants may be changing, but they aren’t going away. Don’t lose hope. Adjust, adapt, and keep moving forward.
How was your 2025? Do these tips resonate with you, or have you been trying other tactics? Reply to this email and let me know.
In spite of the grim landscape, we remain hopeful and determined. Our team of expert grant consultants is here for your nonprofit. We’re still standing tall. If your nonprofit wants to enter 2026 with a solid grant strategy, enhanced capacity for grant seeking, or help with a federal grant proposal, fill out our Work With Us form and receive a link to schedule a free consultation with us.
May your holiday season be filled with rest and time with loved ones. We will need to fill our cups so we have energy and motivation for the new year.
Until 2026,
Betty Barnard
Trend Watch
Here’s what you need to know about the grant landscape changes, updates, and trends:
- We have learned of several more foundations switching to an invitation-only process. Examples include Centene and Aegon Transamerica Foundation. This underscores the importance of investments in relationship building, connection, and visibility to capture funders’ attention.
- Be on the lookout for new funding opportunities and grantmaking programs in 2026! The Tull Foundation, Vanguard Charitable Fund, Borealis, and Community Foundation of Greater Atlanta are just a few examples of funders launching new initiatives.
- Federal grants update: The Office of Management and Budget just released the 2025 Compliance Supplement (2 CFR Part 200, Appendix XI), now effective for audits of fiscal years beginning after June 30, 2024. This post on LinkedIn outlines the changes that will affect how we manage, monitor, and audit federal awards. Changes include a dual audit framework, updated thresholds, and heightened expectations around internal controls and documentation.
- The House of Representatives relaunched the Congressional Philanthropy Caucus
- Democracy Fund is relaunching its All by April campaign to move 501(c)(3) funding to voter mobilization, democracy, and fair election organizations by April 2026
Recommended Reading
GrantStation released a new 2025 State of Grantseeking™ Government Update Report as a free download. Based on responses from 1,056 organizations actively pursuing grant funding between January and July 2025, this report explores how the government funding landscape has shifted since the original March 2025 State of Grantseeking™ survey.
$500 Credit Per Referral
We have space to help new nonprofit clients! We love helping nonprofits that work in health, human services, and movement building, with operating budgets of $2M or more. To refer a client and earn a $500 credit if they sign a contract, make an email introduction to betty@resurgensimpact.com
Need Grant Support?
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