Navigating Uncertainty 

Our program staff have been working together to gather, create, and distribute responsive resources and trainings, and to provide spaces for nonprofits to connect and build relationships and community.

During times of uncertainty, it is important for nonprofits to stay focused on what they can control—sound financial and operational planning—and maintain a reliable board. This blog focuses on resources—from updates to our 2025 Nonprofit Finance & Sustainability Conference to the basics building blocks of nonprofit finance and governance—we hope will be helpful to you during this time of uncertainty.

Who we’re listening to

Locally and nationally, we are lucky to have strong nonprofit associations whose staff and leaders are working to keep nonprofits updated and protected from illegal actions taken against them. For updates on Executive Orders and relevant legislation, we are relying on the leadership of The Minnesota Council of Nonprofits (MCN) and The National Council of Nonprofits (NCN).

Minnesota Council of Nonprofits

MCN is actively engaging with elected officials and the National Council of Nonprofits to monitor the latest executive orders and memos issued by The White House. MCN’s goal is to mitigate the impact on our state’s most vulnerable communities and the operations of Minnesota’s 8,641 nonprofits and their 376,328 employees.

Visit MCN’s Impact of Federal Decisions page by clicking here >>>

MCN has curated a list of resources and tangible steps your nonprofit can take to help you navigate the uncertainty.

Visit MCN’s Resources to navigate uncertainty page by clicking here >>>

National Council of Nonprofits

In an effort to aid the swift analysis of the recent executive orders, NCN has crafted a chart of the most pertinent executive orders, expected impacts, and related actions that they will be updating regularly.

Visit NCN’s The Impacts of the Recent Executive Orders on Nonprofits page by clicking here >>>

Opportunity Finance Network

As a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), Propel is a member of the Opportunity Finance Network (OFN). OFN is a trusted intermediary between CDFIs and public and private sector partners — foundations, corporations, banks, government agencies, and others.

This might not be helpful to you if you aren’t a CDFI, but we include it here as a reminder to check in with your local, regional, or national activity-area specific membership organization for their guidance and support.

Free Propel Resources

Cash Flow Primer Video
No matter how expertly you manage your budget, you can confidently project a surplus at the end of the year and still not have enough cash at some point during your fiscal year. That’s because money doesn’t always come in and go out smoothly day to day or month to month. In order to weather the ups and downs properly, it’s important to project and plan your cash flow.

Cash Flow Management Resource
Effective cash flow management is essential. This resource will help your nonprofit manage your cash flow by explaining why, when, and how. Additionally, this resource provides management strategies to help your nonprofit prevent cash flow shortages.

Cash Flow Template
Understanding the ebbs and flows of your organization’s cash will help you make smart management decisions that protect your core programs and overall sustainability. Use this template to manage cash flow at your organization. 

Managing Cash Flow Recorded Webinar (1 hour)
While standard nonprofit financial reports – the budget, income statement, and balance sheet – provide important management information, these statements alone do not tell whether there is enough cash on hand to pay for an unexpected expense, to take on a new opportunity, or even to cover payroll next month. This webinar will help you anticipate and prepare for the ebb and flow of cash coming in and going out of your organization and identify ways to avoid and manage cash flow challenges. 

Governing in a Time of Crisis: 10 Actions for BoardsNo matter the circumstance, boards still need to play a clear, governing role. Use these 10 actions to help guide how you and your fellow board members are showing up.

Boards in Times of Adaptation Recorded Webinar (1 hour)
As nonprofit leaders and team members continue to develop and implement new and creative ways to be responsive and relevant to the needs of their clients, what is the role of the nonprofit board right now? Where is their leadership needed most to support the organization, its employees, and the recipients of its services? This webinar highlights the critical actions nonprofit boards can take in this time of ongoing uncertainty when the ability to adapt is more important than ever before.

If you have questions or need assistance using these resources, please reach out to your lender, or to our accounting & finance consulting team. 

2025 Nonprofit Finance and Sustainability Conference

A note from the conference committee: 

MCN and Propel Nonprofits co-host the Nonprofit Finance & Sustainability Conference to help nonprofits focus on key levers of organizational stability: strong internal controls; sustainable revenue mix; strategic HR; leadership in times of crisis.

The conference planning committee has worked to create updated and responsive sessions – this space for nonprofits to gather, join in community, and sharpen our operational tools, is critical to our resilience.

Join your nonprofit peers on February 25 and 27 for two virtual days of learning focused on those key levers, including content on essential strategies and brand-new content just added that addresses these federal actions and subsequent uncertainty.

Free keynote address

In Service: A Conversation with Diane Yentel, Nonoko Sato, and Henry Jiménez

Join leaders from the National Council of Nonprofits, Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, and Propel Nonprofits to learn what they are seeing, tracking, and how they are being in service to nonprofits and their communities. These national, state, and organizational level reflections will provide insights into why it is important to continue to do your mission work, and how nonprofit leaders can be involved in advocacy and preparing your organization for what’s ahead. 

As part of our commitment to respond rapidly to the impacts made by the ever-changing federal and state government landscapes and their impact on nonprofits, MCN and Propel Nonprofits have added this conversation and are opening it up to anyone who wishes to attend. Registering for the plenary conversation as a stand-alone engagement is free.

Other Resources and Events

• Webinar with CLA: Navigating Federal Funding Uncertainty
• Post from CLA: Federal Funding and the Impacts of Executive Orders and Policies
• From Tangelo Tree Consulting: Risk Assessment Template
• NALCAB’S Organizational Preparedness Guide

More resources can be found at The Minnesota Council of Nonprofits resource page.