by

Is Your Nonprofit Prepared For The 2024 US Election?

As the 2024 U.S. presidential election approaches, developing a robust election preparation strategy is essential for nonprofits to navigate potential impacts on their mission and operations.


 

The 2024 U.S. presidential election is set to impact your nonprofit, regardless of the outcome. If you’re reading this, you’re likely thinking ahead about how this year’s U.S. election cycle could impact your organization and how to prepare your nonprofit to respond effectively, both internally and externally. You already know that developing a robust election preparation strategy is essential for nonprofits to navigate potential impacts on their mission and operations.

To help you achieve that goal, here are five tips for developing your nonprofit’s election-planning strategy, caring for your team, and upholding democratic values, along with a collection of valuable election-planning resources.

    1. Understand your legal boundaries around presidential elections.

    As part of your election preparation strategy, understanding your legal boundaries around presidential elections is crucial for maintaining compliance as a 501(c)(3) organization. As a 501(c)(3) organization, all nonprofits are prohibited from engaging in partisan politics. So the first step for nonprofits going into the 2024 election season is ensuring compliance with regulations governing political activity.

    What your nonprofit can’t do: You nonprofit cannot endorse candidates, make political contributions, or engage in electioneering.

    What your nonprofit can do: Your nonprofit can participate in nonpartisan voter education and engagement efforts.

    Here are some additional resources to help navigate political boundaries this election cycle:

  • Check out a detailed election checklist for nonprofits that outlines what nonprofits can and can’t do in presidential elections.
  • Learn how to support voter engagement in a nonpartisan way by exploring this guide to supporting this important civic activity.
  • View the IRS restrictions.

    2. Plan for different election scenarios.

    Creating a plan for how your nonprofit will respond to various possible elections outcomes will enable your organization to adapt fundraising efforts and thoughtful post-election communications plans effectively. Preparedness helps build resilience—regardless of the political landscape.

    Check out Bridgespan’s “Navigating Political Uncertainty: Scenario Planning for Nonprofits During This US Election Year” to see how to build scenario plans for different futures during this election year.

    3. Prepare for shifts in philanthropy.

    Election cycles can mean your nonprofit’s causes and needs are elevated to a national and global stage. Consistent, mission-focused communication will reinforce the vital role your donors play now and beyond the 2024 election cycle. Additionally, your organization should be ready to adapt fundraising strategies, diversify outreach, and respond to the sentiments of your target audience if and as the time comes to navigate changes effectively. By incorporating an election preparation strategy into your communications, you can better reinforce the vital role your donors play during this politically charged period.

    Here are a few resources you might find helpful:

  • Candid’s “Nonprofit fundraising in an election year is especially tough. What can fundraisers do?” provides tactical advice for nonprofit fundraising in an election year.
  • Bridgespan’s “Learning from Nonprofits and NGOs That Have Put Large, Flexible Grants to Work” could be helpful if your organization receives an influx of philanthropic funding following the election (as happened to some in 2016 and 2020).
  • Orr Group’s “Seizing The Moment: How To Leverage The Upcoming Election Season To Boost Nonprofit Fundraising” shares some data about how political and charitable giving are connected, and points to keep in mind.

    4. Support your team to get through the election season

    As leaders in your organization, here are five things you can do to get election-ready. The Management Center also published tips for how to facilitate employee check-ins and a post-Election Day debrief.

    Here are some additional nonprofit election planning resources to care for your employees during the 2024 election season:

  • A guide to employee comms in an election year by Axios HQ and Speechwriters of Color shares tips on how to communicate in this complex time.
  • Building Movement Project’s “The 2024 Elections and Beyond: Fortifying Ourselves, Our Organizations, and Our Ecosystems” toolkit offers worksheets targeted at movement-building organizations and activists.
  • In Bridgespan’s “Be the Calm in the Storm: How to Communicate with Staff and Stakeholders During a Crisis,” three Seattle nonprofit leaders describe how they’ve approached their communications in uncertain times.

    5. Stay agile and informed.

    Monitor data trends and expert insights during election season to effectively adapt your fundraising strategy and post-election communications plan.The Council on Foundations will host a webinar series on the policy implications for philanthropy.

    You can register for the following sessions:

  • Making Sense of the Elections | Thursday, November 14, 2024
  • What Does a New Congress Mean for Philanthropy?| Tuesday, February 11, 2025

As we approach the 2024 U.S. presidential election, prioritizing an election preparation strategy will help your nonprofit remain resilient and effective in fulfilling its mission, regardless of the election outcomes. By understanding your legal boundaries, planning for various election outcomes, and adapting your fundraising strategies, you can effectively navigate the political landscape.

Supporting your team through this season and staying informed will further strengthen your organization’s resilience. Utilize the resources available to ensure you are well-equipped to uphold your mission and values during this critical time. Together, we can foster a vibrant, engaged community committed to our shared democratic principles.

Women's health is a major focus in the US 2024 presidential election. Photo by Mercy in Action Vineyard, which improves maternal and neonatal health.

Want more tips like this? Subscribe to get the best content from the Learn Library once a month.

Get Free Tips + Tools in Your Inbox
Subscribe to get the best content from the Learn Library in your inbox once per month.
Meet Your New Fundraising Team
Join GlobalGiving for training and support tailored to you.
Ver contenido en español

Looking for something specific?

Find exactly what you're looking for in our Learn Library by searching for specific words or phrases related to the content you need.

WARNING: Javascript is currently disabled or is not available in your browser. GlobalGiving makes extensive use of Javascript and will not function properly with Javascript disabled. Please enable Javascript and refresh this page.