“You’re only as happy as your least happy child.”

This quote, often used in the context of parenting, is something I can truly relate to as a mother of three. 

My granddaughter, not having a good day.

While I wouldn’t say I’m overly invested in their emotional lives, it’s impossible to be cheerful when one of them is struggling. As a parent, it’s natural to feel that deep connection to your child’s experiences, and their pain often becomes your own. When a child shares their suffering, there are three possible ways to respond: offer a solution, offer to listen, or offer comfort. 

Each response serves a different purpose, and understanding when and how to use each one is key. 

These responses have been referred to as the “three H’s”: Help, Hug, or Hear. You can ask,

“Do you need help, a hug, or to be heard?”

In a way, these simple options parallel the ways we respond to challenges, both in our personal lives and in the professional world. As a consultant, these past few weeks have offered a window into how this concept applies to our clients as well. In the nonprofit sector, there has been significant conversation around the current administration’s funding cuts, many of which will directly impact strategies and operations. 

As a result, nonprofit organizations are facing a level of uncertainty that can be difficult to navigate. Some of our clients aren’t feeling an immediate impact, while others are grappling with the anxiety of the unknown. And then there are those who are finding themselves in need of a complete overhaul of their funding strategies.

There’s no one-size-fits-all response to these shifts, much like when a parent is trying to determine the best way to respond to a child’s distress.

As consultants, we often find ourselves listening to our clients’ concerns and figuring out how best to offer support. But in consulting—unlike parenting—we mostly need to focus on the “H” of Helping.

Helping involves not just listening to the pain and uncertainty our clients feel, but also rolling up our sleeves and finding a way forward through actionable solutions and strategies that help them adapt to the changes they face.

This approach has led us back to the fundamentals of what we do at Team Kat & Mouse. We specialize in creating and maintaining nimble fundraising strategies that can adapt to the ever-changing landscape—something that has become especially crucial in these uncertain times. Our experience has shown that the best way to move forward is to establish clear, actionable plans for securing diverse sources of funding outside of government grants. These funding channels include Individuals, Corporations, Foundations, Special Events, and Planned Giving. 

By helping our clients focus on these core areas, we ensure they have the tools they need to weather any storm, no matter how challenging the current climate may seem.

In addition to our work in fundraising, we’ve also found ourselves stepping into aligned areas that directly impact the success of our nonprofit clients. 

Fundraising doesn’t exist in a vacuum, and we’ve been called upon to support efforts in other areas that play a crucial role in an organization’s success. These have included:

• Marketing: Beyond fundraising emails, nonprofits need to communicate effectively with their entire community about their mission and the results they’re seeing. We’ve supported clients with the creation of Annual and Impact Reports, email newsletters, and volunteer opportunity news, helping them maintain a strong connection with supporters.

• Human Resources: Nonprofit turnover is inevitable (see a multitude of other blog posts), and we’re honored to step in and work with clients to identify organizational needs and review candidate profiles. Effective staffing is key to success—no plan will thrive without a dedicated team behind it.

• Programs: Much of grant funding is program-specific, even though unrestricted dollars would be easier for an organization to use. Brainstorming program opportunities allows us to help our clients explore potential partnerships and present their best ideas to corporate and foundation funders. An outside perspective is often crucial for preventing “mission drift” or getting caught in futile rabbit holes.

  
  

  The key to effective consulting in times of uncertainty is not just about offering solutions or strategies. It’s about providing the right balance of support: listening to your clients’ fears and concerns, offering comfort when needed, and above all, helping them navigate the path ahead. 

  Just like a parent, we’re here to offer comfort, guidance, and, when necessary, a shoulder to lean on. 

  
  

  Through this process, we help our clients strengthen their foundations for the future, ensuring they can continue to serve their missions despite the challenges they face. And like parents seeking happiness for their children - we are seeking success (“happiness”) for our clients and won’t rest until we can support them on that path. 

  
  

  Reach out today- We are consultants dedicated to Fundraising success.