New projections for charitable giving have been released, providing fresh insight into how donor habits are evolving.
A 2026 survey from Church Mutual found that one in four Americans expect to give less, and almost half do not plan to increase their giving.
But don’t panic. There is reason to remain optimistic.
Donors aren’t abandoning philanthropy; they’re simply choosing more carefully. In moments like this, it’s tempting for nonprofits to move quickly and focus on tactics: the next campaign, grant, or corporate partnership.
Before moving forward, pause. Re-examine your Vision, Mission, and Values to ensure they power your next steps.
It might seem like reviewing these is just a branding exercise for quieter times, but in today’s cautious giving environment, clarity matters more than you might expect. Here’s why:
Selective Giving Changes the Questions Donors are Asking
When donors anticipate financial challenges, they rarely disengage entirely from philanthropy. Instead, they focus their giving where they feel the greatest confidence and alignment, becoming more discerning and asking questions like:
- Why this nonprofit?
- What makes it distinct?
- How focused is its work?
- Can I clearly see the impact?
If the answers to these questions are unclear, outdated, or inconsistent across the organization, donors will notice. In a selective giving environment, being clear gives you an advantage.
Clarity Strengthens Your Case for Support
A strong Vision articulates your intended future. A focused Mission defines your role in making that vision a reality. Clear Values show how you make decisions and foster alignment among stakeholders.
When these elements are clear, your case for support grows stronger. Impact stories connect to purpose, strategic priorities feel intentional, and messaging stays consistent.
This level of clarity communicates cohesion and cultivates trust.
Internal Alignment Drives External Credibility
Funding pressure can force rapid program changes or new partnerships. But without internal clarity, those shifts can cause friction among staff and board.
With Vision, Mission, and Values as a shared guide, decisions align with purpose and communication stays steady, even as tactics change.
We’ve seen nonprofits navigate funding shifts with confidence because their direction was clear. When teams are unified around a clearly defined purpose, adapting to an evolving landscape becomes strategic and manageable rather than reactive and destabilizing.
Defining Your Unique Role in a Crowded Space
Across Indianapolis and beyond, nonprofits work tirelessly to address complex community needs. In many cases, missions overlap, outcomes intersect, and funders support multiple approaches.
Meaningful work is important, which is why you must clarify the distinct role you play. Vision, Mission, and Values help define your unique proposition:
- What problem are you uniquely positioned to address?
- What outcomes do you prioritize?
- What boundaries do you intentionally maintain?
- Which partnerships strengthen your approach and outcomes?
This level of clarity not only protects you from mission drift, but also defines the value you deliver, making it clear to donors and partners why supporting your organization offers outcomes they cannot find elsewhere.
Revisiting Vision, Mission, and Values is more than rewriting website content. It ensures your organization reflects who you are today and where you are headed.
Ask yourself:
- Do our statements align to our current strategy?
- Are they guiding real decisions?
- Can every board member and staff member articulate them with confidence?
- Do they clearly distinguish us in a competitive funding landscape?
When one in four donors anticipates cutting back, being clear is central to navigating the changing current with confidence. It takes focused work and thoughtful reflection. But the reward is real.
Lindsey VanDyck is a consultant at Hedges and a trusted advisor to nonprofit leaders. With 14 years of experience in development and marketing, she helps organizations strengthen their capacity, sharpen their strategy, and build meaningful support for their work. Lindsey is known for her analytical thinking, direct communication style, and ability to turn complex challenges into clear next steps.