Proactive, Not Perfect, Scenario Planning: A Short Guide for Our Times

Written by Kate Barr for the Nonprofit Quarterly in 2020, this article offers solid advice for nonprofit organizations about preparing for a variety of unpredictable circumstances:

“Let me state this up front: It’s very likely all of your anticipated scenarios will be wrong because there are so many unknowns right now—but so is your old budget. Predicting the future is not actually the goal here. Rather, scenario planning is intended to give you an ordered way of thinking and making decisions. It’s meant to help turn those ‘what if?’ questions into ‘what we will do if…’ plans.”

Read the article.

On October 8, 2025, Join Us for a National Town Hall on the Financial State of the Nonprofit Sector

Nonprofit GPS is a new, action-based community designed to help nonprofits navigate today’s disrupted revenue landscape. Built in consultation with organizations nationwide, it focuses on the real financial challenges nonprofits face — business model risks, capital management, budgeting, governance, and more. Together, we’ll share practical strategies and highlight bright spots of practice that strengthen missions, even in the most disruptive times.

At this event you will hear: an analysis of the current economic landscape for nonprofits and the implications for practice; what array of critical new resources will be offered by Nonprofit GPS over the next three months and beyond; and how to become involved as a practice leader in this community.

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