Across our region, many families are facing difficult circumstances. You and other nonprofits that serve these families are working tirelessly to meet growing demand. Whether acute challenges from time to time are triggered by a government shutdown that disrupts paychecks, services, and community programs, a natural disaster, or broader economic factors, Whidbey Community Foundation stands beside you.
We know that nonprofits are on the front lines of every crisis, and we want to share a few strategies to help you sustain and grow the support your organization needs during this and other periods of uncertainty.
Highlight your local impact.
Donors—including those with donor-advised funds and those giving through the community foundation—want to know their dollars make a difference close to home. Be specific when you describe how your organization is responding to current needs. Share stories that not only illustrate urgency, but also show measurable outcomes and accountability. Local donors trust nonprofits that communicate clearly and demonstrate tangible results for families and neighborhoods in crisis.
Tap into donor-advised fund generosity.
Many donors already have charitable dollars set aside in donor-advised funds at the community foundation. These funds are ready to be granted quickly when compelling needs arise. Now is the time to reach out to your supporters who hold donor-advised funds and remind them that their giving can make an immediate impact. When you make it easy for them to recommend a grant—by providing your organization’s full legal name, EIN, and a clear purpose, for example—you help remove barriers to giving.
Connect your appeal to the timing of tax law changes.
The urgency of community needs in late 2025 aligns with an important window for donors who itemize their deductions. Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), limits on charitable deductions will tighten beginning in 2026. This means that donors who “front-load” their giving this year—by contributing more before the new rules take effect—may be able to maximize both their tax benefits and their philanthropic impact. In your communications, remind donors that giving now not only helps your organization meet immediate community needs but also may allow them to take advantage of favorable tax treatment while it lasts.
Promote partnership and resilience.
Crises rarely happen just once—they recur in different forms and at unexpected times. Encourage your supporters to think long term by contributing to your reserve fund, endowment, or sustainability initiatives. At the community foundation, we are always ready to partner with you to design endowment funds and other giving opportunities that strengthen your organization’s ability to respond to future challenges. By building relationships with your donors now, you can help ensure that support is available when the next urgent need arises.
We are honored to work with many donors who care about your mission. Together, we can ensure that our community’s nonprofits remain strong, adaptable, and ready to serve—no matter what challenges come next.
As always, the team at the community foundation is here to help! Please reach out anytime! Email us at info@whidbeyfoundation.org with any questions.
Whidbey Community Foundation is a resource and sounding board as you serve our community. This is provided for informational purposes only. It is not intended as legal, accounting, or financial planning advice.