Resilience, Recalibration, and Risk: Fundraising in an Era of Uncertainty
Chapter Leadership Brief 5.16.25
by Erica Joy West
Charitable Investment Counselor, BVMI & Chair, Fundraising Day New York
As the nonprofit sector prepares for Fundraising Day New York on June 13th, the moment feels more urgent than routine. While Fundraising Day New York has always served as a cornerstone for fundraisers to learn and connect, this year’s event arrives amid growing political and economic uncertainty that’s already reshaping the fundraising landscape.
The new administration has reignited deep questions about the future of philanthropy, public funding, and the broader policy landscape nonprofits must now navigate. Fundraising professionals are bracing for the potential impact of federal shifts—proposed cuts to discretionary programs, evolving tax policies affecting charitable giving, and heightened tension around social services. This new reality demands strategic adaptation, clear-eyed messaging, and a recalibrated understanding of what donors need in uncertain times.
Nonprofits are already reporting early signals of donor hesitation. While support hasn’t disappeared, it is more cautious, delayed, and dependent on reassurance. Larger funders may be taking a wait-and-see approach, while smaller donors are stretched thin by economic uncertainty. The result is a fundraising climate that feels less predictable than even the pandemic years, where at least shared urgency created unified action.
This makes our work as fundraising professionals more complex—and more critical. The challenge is not simply about securing gifts, but doing so in a way that maintains trust, reinforces mission clarity, and aligns with rapidly changing political and economic conditions. We must now balance bold messaging with nuance, urgency with empathy, and resilience with realistic expectations.
In this moment, Fundraising Day New York becomes more than a conference; it serves as a strategic inflection point for the profession. As this year’s Conference Chair, I’ve seen firsthand the level of thought, care, and urgency that’s gone into building a day that speaks directly to this moment. For many in the field, it is one of the few spaces where fundraisers can step away from day-to-day pressures, connect with peers who understand the weight of this work, and share both tactical strategies and emotional support. It is where ideas are tested, innovations discovered, and professionals leave not just with new tools, but renewed purpose.
This year, the need for those tools is especially pressing. Yet even the best tools can’t solve the underlying question nonprofits face: how to fundraise effectively in an environment of heightened polarization. Messaging has become more difficult. For many organizations—particularly those in healthcare, immigration, housing, and equity work—their missions are inherently tied to social and political issues. But speaking out can carry risks, especially for groups that rely on a broad donor base. Silence, however, can erode trust with the very communities they aim to serve.
This tension requires us to operate with more clarity than ever. Staying rooted in our values, while being responsive to the moment, is essential. We must become even better storytellers and strategists, translating complex realities into compelling stories that educate and inspire.
The emotional strain of constantly adapting to uncertainty is real—and growing. That’s why conferences like Fundraising Day New York are so important. They offer more than strategies and sessions—they offer connection. In shared spaces, the weight feels lighter. The challenges remain, but we’re reminded that we don’t have to face them alone.
While the sessions at Fundraising Day New York are packed with the insight, tools, and strategies to meet this moment, equally powerful are the unscripted moments—hallway conversations, coffee breaks, side discussions—where all of us can speak candidly about what’s working, what isn’t, and how we can stay motivated. These exchanges build collective intelligence, spark new thinking, and remind us that we’re not alone.
There is also a deeper shift underway in how we think about fundraising itself. Equity is becoming central to how we evaluate success. Organizations are reevaluating donor dynamics, expanding who gets to lead and be heard, and testing community-driven models that reflect not just generosity, but justice. These aren’t trends. They are signs of a field evolving to meet both its ethical obligations and its strategic future.
As the sector moves forward in 2025, there is no clear roadmap. Fundraisers will need to remain agile, informed, and connected. Policies will shift, donor behavior will evolve, and the national climate may continue to destabilize. But amidst this unpredictability, one thing remains constant: the essential role of the fundraiser—not just as a revenue generator, but as a steward of trust, a translator of mission, and a builder of community.
This year’s Fundraising Day New York won’t offer all the answers. But it will provide a space to ask better questions, build stronger networks, and leave better equipped to face the road ahead. In a sector built on hope and hard work, those are resources we can’t afford to overlook. For more information and to register go to FRDNY.org.
Erica Joy West, Charitable Investment Counselor for Bergen Volunteer Medical Initiative (BVMI), provides free healthcare for working uninsured adults. As a skilled fundraiser with 20 years in nonprofit and institutional advancement, Erica has shared her knowledge of community needs to help hundreds of individuals and corporations make a meaningful difference through charitable giving. Now, as the Charitable Investment Counselor with BVMI, she is dedicated to helping people realize their philanthropic ambitions, for themselves, their families, and society to affect change for healthcare in New Jersey.
In 2020, Erica began using her talents as a Master NLP transformational coach to empower female professionals to develop fierce self-confidence and make powerful shifts in their communication to transform their relationships. She is passionate about the personal and professional advancement of women by helping them amplify their impact to change the world. www.ericajoywest.com
Erica serves on the Board of Directors for the AFP-NYC Chapter, serving also Chair of Fundraising Day New York 2025/2026, Chair of Sponsorships and Partnerships, and Co-Chair of Communications.