On November 18, 2025, the Healthy Nonprofit Network hosted an applied workshop designed to help small, health-focused nonprofits—especially those serving rural Southern communities—prepare for uncertainty through scenario planning. Read on for a recap of key concepts.

Why Scenario Planning Matters

Scenario planning isn’t about predicting the future—it’s about building readiness.

For rural nonprofits, the stakes are high:

• Unpredictable funding cycles
• Staff burnout
• Shifting community needs

Scenario planning helps organizations:

✔ Reduce confusion and panic during sudden changes
✔ Navigate volatile funding landscapes
✔ Prepare for policy shifts that impact health services
✔ Build strategic capacity to meet evolving rural health needs

A Framework and Four Smart Moves for

Nonprofits

The workshop introduced PPSS as a decision-making framework. In different situations, nonprofits may plan to:

• Pivot – Adjust or redesign programs when conditions change but the mission remains relevant
• Partner – Collaborate with aligned organizations to share resources and capacity
• Sleep – Pause initiatives that aren’t feasible right now, without abandoning them
• Stop – Discontinue activities that drain resources or no longer align with your mission

Quick Wins for Rural, Southern Nonprofits

1. Diversify Funding Immediately – Add at least one new revenue stream this quarter
2. Leverage Giving Tuesday – Use social media to showcase impact stories
3. Form a Partnership Now – Identify one organization to share resources within 30 days
4. Create a Trigger-Based Action Plan – Define alarms for funding cuts or staff shortages
5. Start Future Mapping – Dedicate one hour monthly to scan trends

Key Takeaways

Diversify or Die
Don’t rely on a single funding stream. Aim for at least four “legs” on your funding table: grants, corporate sponsorships, individual donors, and fee-for-service models.

Scan Beyond Your County Lines
Regional universities, foundations, and corporations may support rural health initiatives. Use Giving Tuesday and similar campaigns to showcase impact.

Build Partnerships Before Crisis Hits
Partnering makes you more competitive for grants. Share staff, co-locate services, or apply jointly for funding.

Plan for Triggers, Not Just Disasters
Set internal “alarms” tied to external triggers:

1. • Funding drops by 20% → Pivot to highest-need services
   • Staff capacity falls → Partner to share resources
   • Program unsustainable → Sleep or Stop strategically
3.  
4. Future Mapping Is Your Friend
   Regularly scan trends in policy, funding, and community health. Prioritize 2–3 scenarios and act before you’re forced to react.

What’s Next

For a deeper introduction to scenario planning, check out the materials from our recent webinar:

• Part 1 Scenario Planning Workshop (Video Recording)
• Scenario planning activity worksheets (PDF)

After viewing the recorded session, use the worksheets to develop an actionable plan. Then, revisit your PPSS plan regularly with your team and board, and explore related tools and modules throughout our site to continue strengthening your strategy.

If you’d like free individualized help for your community based organization to apply these tools, learn more about the type of support we offer, or submit a request to meet with the Healthy Nonprofit Network’s coaches. 

Special thanks to our presenters, Chris Mathews, MPH, LCSW, Capacity Building Manager, COMPASS Coordinating Center, Emory Centers for Public Health Training and Technical Assistance and Tykeysha “Ty” Boone, MPH, CNC, Founder, Ty Boone Consulting.