Funding uncertainty is top of mind for many nonprofit leaders right now. Between shifting policies, unstable grants, and rising demand for services, organizations are being asked to do more with fewer resources.

In this episode of Changemaker Conversations, Alyssa Conrardy and Lindsay Mullen wrap up their three-part Fix Your Funding series by discussing a practical tool nonprofit leaders can use to prepare for uncertainty: scenario planning.

Scenario planning helps organizations think through potential financial outcomes before a crisis hits — so leaders can make thoughtful decisions instead of reacting under pressure.

In this conversation, Alyssa and Lindsay walk through a simple framework for creating “bad,” “worse,” and “catastrophe” scenarios and tying them to clear decision triggers.

They also discuss how scenario planning can surface hidden organizational challenges and help nonprofit leaders move forward with greater clarity and confidence.

In this episode, we discuss:

What nonprofit scenario planning is and why it matters right now

How to build “bad, worse, and catastrophe” financial scenarios

How to set decision triggers tied to financial indicators

What scenario planning can reveal about programs, staffing, and expenses

How to involve your board without pulling them into operational details

Why planning ahead can make crisis leadership easier

Whether you’re already facing financial uncertainty or simply want to strengthen your organization’s resilience, this episode offers practical guidance for planning ahead.

| SHOW NOTES |

Fix Your Funding Part 3: Take On Scenario Planning

| MENTIONED |

Blog post: Nonprofit Scenario Planning Guide