We’re Stronger Together – A Call to Action for the Impact Community
When the winds shift and the ground beneath us starts to shake, the instinct is often to tighten our grip — to pull in, protect, and weather the storm alone. But what if the only way to truly make it through is to lean into each other?
That was the spirit behind a recent roundtable we hosted with leaders across the nonprofit and social impact space — people who dedicate their lives to building a more just, equitable world.
From afterschool programs and tech training initiatives to social change filmmakers and impact asset managers, we gathered a group who, despite their vastly different missions, are all facing a common threat: a new era of regulatory uncertainty, potential funding freezes, and a political landscape that feels like it’s shifting beneath our feet daily.
In a time when the very language nonprofits use to describe their work is under scrutiny, collaboration and creativity have never been more essential. New federal regulations and executive orders reshaping the landscape for grants, communications, and funding.
This isn’t just a political shift — it’s a direct challenge to how organizations serving marginalized communities describe their work, advocate for change, and ultimately, secure critical funding.
The Current Climate: Why Words Matter
New executive orders targeting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts — particularly for federally funded nonprofits — have placed specific terms under scrutiny in grant proposals, public communications, and program descriptions. This is not speculation. This is already happening.
The following are some of the red flag phrases that the National Science Foundation (NSF) and other agencies have been asked to avoid or flag in grant applications and reporting:
For nonprofits whose core missions focus on addressing inequality, amplifying marginalized voices, and increasing access to opportunity — these restrictions directly undermine their work.
Real Voices from the Field
Jacob opened the call with a clear message: “We’re stronger together than apart.” He encouraged impact leaders to share resources, collaborate, and find innovative ways to continue their work without compromising their values.
Leaders from nonprofits, branding agencies, and impact organizations shared concerns about:
- Funding freezes and government grant uncertainty.
- Corporations becoming risk-averse, pausing donations or halving previously reliable funding.
- Fear of using traditional DEI language, leading to self-censorship and watered-down messaging.
- The disconnect between storytelling, compliance, and legal risk.
- Pressure to audit websites, social media, and grant applications to remove flagged terms.
Our Apollo 13 Moment: Innovation Through Constraint
We kept returning to this iconic scene from Apollo 13, where NASA engineers were asked to fit a square peg into a round hole using only the materials onboard. That’s exactly where many impact organizations find themselves today — forced to rethink strategies, language, and funding models with little warning and limited resources.
The reality is stark:
✅ Government grants are freezing.
✅ Corporate philanthropy is pausing.
✅ Even the language we use to describe our work is being policed.
Nonprofits are being told to remove terms like underserved, equity, diverse, and inclusion from public messaging and grant applications. The chilling effect is real — but so is the determination to keep showing up.
What We Heard: Voices from the Frontlines
During the roundtable, nonprofit leaders shared the raw realities they are facing right now. Three key themes emerged:
1. “We need to reframe the narrative.”
Organizations like Empower and the Boys & Girls Club of Utah County are caught between authentic storytelling and risk management. How can they describe the communities they serve honestly while avoiding political backlash?
2. “We need a shared language.”
There’s a clear need for a new vocabulary — a collaborative, legally sound way to describe diversity, equity, and inclusion work without setting off political or legal alarms.
3. “The closer you are to the community, the bolder you want to be.”
Those who work directly with students, families, and individuals in need feel a fierce urge to fight back. Meanwhile, leadership teams are navigating legal landmines and balancing survival with advocacy.
Storytelling, Strategy & Survival
Participants agreed: Storytelling must evolve, but the truth of our work cannot be erased. As Binta from NPower noted, “We’re in the business of helping humans that don’t have access.” That’s not a political statement — that’s reality.
Recommendations from the Group
✅ Legal Review: Regularly meet with legal counsel (pro bono if possible) specializing in DEI, grants, and nonprofit law.
✅ Language Audit: Scrub websites, social media, and public-facing documents for flagged terms — but don’t lose sight of your mission in the process.
✅ Messaging Reframe: Shift from terms like “underserved” to “economically excluded,” or “culturally diverse” to “community-centered.”
✅ Offline Conversations: Where appropriate, move sensitive conversations off email and into voice or video calls.
✅ Collective Language Toolkit: Collaborate with peer organizations to develop a shared glossary of safe, effective, and legally sound terms.
✅ Diversify Funding Streams: Move away from heavy reliance on government grants. Consider donor-advised funds (DAFs), foundation grants, corporate philanthropy, and community giving campaigns.
Strength in Numbers: Building a Proactive Community
This isn’t just about compliance — it’s about narrative control. If impact leaders allow the removal of language to dictate the removal of action, the very communities that need support the most will suffer in silence.
As Julianne from Adasina Social Capital said:
“We’re not helpless. There’s tremendous market power and social capital that can be mobilized. We just need to act together.”
What’s Next: Resources & Tools
Immediate Actions You Can Take:
- Join industry groups like National Council of Nonprofits for updated legal analysis.
- Share safe messaging templates and case studies within your network.
- Start conversations with your corporate and foundation funders now — educate them on what’s happening.
Recommended Reading:
- Washington Post – Words Putting Science in the Crosshairs
- Physics World – US Science in Chaos
- National Council of Nonprofits – Executive Order Tracker
- The Legal Landscape Around DEI is Shifting. Your Messaging Should Too – Harvard Business Review
Final Thought
The language may shift, but the mission remains. The communities you serve still need you. Whether it’s rephrasing a grant proposal or explaining your work in new terms, what matters most is staying true to your purpose.
As Jacob closed the call:
“Keep up the fight for good.”
Learn more about ISSIMO Story Agency Here