Turbulence, Not Freefall

I’m a big fan of The Twilight Zone. One of the greatest and most well-known episodes is “Nightmare at 20,000 Feet” where William Shatner plays an anxious man who spots a monster standing on the wing of the plane during his flight. Every time he tries to get others to look out the window, the creature disappears and everyone assumes he’s having a nervous breakdown. While the episode ends and the flight crew treat Shatner’s character as delusional, the camera focuses on a damaged wing of the plane, showing he was right all along – there really was a creature on the wing of the plane. 

So, to my fellow fundraisers I ask: 

• Do you feel like you’re building the plane as you’re flying it right now?
• Does it seem like there’s a creature on the wing of that plane and you’re freaking out about it? 

The good news is that you’re not alone. The bad news is that the creature on the wing of the plane is indeed real. That creature – rescinded and paused federal grants, tax policy changes, inflation, increased demand for your organization’s services – is alive and unfortunately well. 

But unlike William Shatner’s character – who no one believes or listens to – the GiveMN team sees and hears you.

While “Nightmare at 20,000 Feet” is humorous in its own right, the challenges our sector are facing currently are anything but. There are very real implications for nonprofits of all sizes and mission types so here are some practical tips and guidance for how fundraisers can proceed in this moment: 

1. Keep fundraising. Donors aren’t overwhelmed—each year, 80%+ of Give to the Max donors say they get just the right amount of communication from causes they care about. An ask isn’t a burden; it’s a chance for people to live their values and create change. As fundraisers, we offer opportunities for people to build the world they want to see – that’s powerful.
2. Dollars + People Power + Stories. Invite gifts—and engagement. Offer paths to volunteer, contact elected officials, or share why your work matters. In fact, donors who engage in advocacy efforts with an organization give an average of 60% more than donors who don’t. Engaging folks in multiple ways can only benefit your fundraising outcomes – use our GTMD Guide to Storytelling to get started. 
3. Political ≠ Partisan. 501(c)(3)s can (and should!) do advocacy and lobbying within limits. “Political” means engaging in public policy. “Partisan” means backing a party or candidate—that’s what’s off-limits for organizations with 501(c)(3) status.
4. Relationships = your best capital. Ahead of Give to the Max and year-end, check in with your donors. Share how you’re navigating challenges and what’s next. Don’t appear out of the blue like a gremlin on a plane wing—steady, thoughtful touchpoints win. Explore our GTMD Guide to Stewardship for more tips on building donor relationships. 

Remember: you have control over a lot of things this fall, including the stories you tell, the asks you make, and the ways in which you connect with your audience. Keep asking, keep connecting, and keep pushing forward. 

As you plan for Give to the Max 2025, the GiveMN team is here to help. Check out our suite of resources to help you have the best fundraising campaign possible this fall.