It’s Not Always a Leadership Problem: Rethinking Fundraising Under Pressure

A widely shared post on LinkedIn recently stated  that when an organization tries to raise ambitious amounts of money, from a cold audience, on a tight timeline, it’s not a fundraising problem, it’s a leadership problem.

While that might earn applause from frustrated fundraisers, here’s the truth: it’s not that simple.

At PhoenixFire Strategic Consulting, we work with both executive leaders and development teams, often in moments of urgency. We know what it’s like to navigate a looming payroll gap, a disappearing  federal grant, or a crisis that threatens  your entire mission. In these moments, fundraising can’t always be methodical. Sometimes it has to be scrappy, reactive, and fast.

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Fundraisers Are Right: Long-Term Planning Is Best

The post wasn’t wrong in its ideal scenario. Successful fundraising programs are built on relationships. Repeatable, sustainable giving models matter. And yes, organizations that invest early and wisely in their donor pipelines are more resilient over time.

But what that post missed is the hard reality many nonprofits face.

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Sometimes the House Is Already on Fire

These situations actually happened to our partners in 2025. Just imagine:

• You’re a Ukrainian nonprofit leader whose core programs were funded through international aid, and that aid is now delayed or stopped.

• You’re a small U.S.-based nonprofit whose largest funder cut their contribution by half with no warning.

• You’re watching your cash flow evaporate while trying to save jobs, programs, and community trust.

  
  

In these moments, the leadership team isn’t ignoring best practices, they’re trying to keep the lights on. 

To declare that these urgent campaigns are signs of poor leadership ignores the complexity of nonprofit realities. Worse, it pits fundraising professionals against the very leaders who need their creativity and collaboration the most.

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Let’s Stop the Blame Game

We’ve seen what happens when narratives like these take root: development teams feel unsupported and frustrated, while executive teams feel misunderstood and alone. Finger-pointing replaces teamwork. Strategy gives way to resentment.

But fundraising and leadership aren’t enemies, they’re allies. Especially in a crisis.

Instead of calling it a “leadership problem,” let’s ask:

• What systems failed this organization that made emergency fundraising necessary?

• How can we respond quickly while laying the groundwork for longer-term resilience?

• What tools, messaging, or donor segments can help close the immediate gap without burning out our team or alienating our audience?

  
  

These are the kinds of questions that build trust. That build bridges. That solve real problems.

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What We Believe at PhoenixFire

We believe in responsible, sustainable fundraising. We believe in clear metrics, thoughtful planning, and donor relationship-building.

We also believe in grace, context, and practical support when organizations are under pressure.

Our job as consultants is to help clients navigate both the storm and the rebuild. To provide rapid-response strategies that keep missions on track  and lasting tools that drive future growth.

If your organization is facing urgent financial needs, or if you’re a development leader trying to advocate for more realistic timelines, we can help.

It’s not always a leadership problem. Sometimes, it’s a system problem. Sometimes, it’s just the world we’re living in.

And sometimes, it’s an opportunity to come together and build something better.

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Need help navigating urgent fundraising needs without burning out your team? Let’s talk.