Prepare to Pivot

Written by Corae Young

February 15, 2025

We’re living in an unprecedented time. As nonprofits and faith leaders, there is much to do, much to support, and much to be concerned about. But even in the “much,” there is much preparing and planning that has to exist. As a society, very rarely do we plan to pivot. We are a reactive society, where we focus on something when it becomes the “crisis of the moment,” the “news of the day” or “whoever yells the loudest.”

In the current space, there are some that aren’t sure how they will continue to be funded. Some that know with the potential loss of employment and income from our supporters and funders, their churches and organizations will be impacted. There may be challenges in maintaining current or securing new donors. There’s just a lot of uncertainty. With uncertainty, oftentimes comes stress and anxiety. It’s natural to be concerned. But what we must also make natural and normal, is planning, preparing, and praying.

We have to look at the hard truths of what our organizations are doing. Are we being productive? By whose standards? Are we effectively meeting needs? By whose standards? Are there areas where we can strategize and be more cost-saving? How can we pivot so we can still meet our mission? Are we able to withstand the challenges that may be presented to us? Are there some of us that need to recognize the “harsh truth,” and learn to collaborate or join forces with others to be sustainable?

These conversations require conversations, oftentimes many of us have not been pushed to have for a while. As we assess our funding streams and potential long-term impacts of where monies are coming from, this time can also be seen as a great opportunity to pivot. It’s a change in strategy or position that helps us to still fulfill our missions, but doing it differently.

Some of us haven’t pivoted in a while. We’re accustomed to doing “business as usual,” “church as usual,” our “personal lives as usual.” We sometimes get concerned or anxious making changes because we feel we aren’t ready or it looks different. Many times, we pivot not because we want to, but sometimes we’re forced to. We should look at planning and preparing to pivot as a way of growth and opportunity. There may be new thoughts, new ways, new innovation that allows us to still meet our goals but in a more creative, strategic, and cost-saving way.

This process must be done built around a team of people who will challenge your thought process. This can’t be done with similar mindset people who don’t want to change. Your team must be one that is diverse in thought that allows for critical thinking and creativity. Everyone at the table must be open to change. It takes planning to pivot and is not done by one person. Pivoting requires faith to trust the process. Change is not always easy. The decision comes when you look at the ULTIMATE GOOD it will bring to you and your organization.

Pivoting requires a conscious turn of thoughts or activities, ultimately leading to more effective results. The wellbeing of ourselves and our organizations are at stake. We must begin to prepare and plan to pivot, centered around our faith.