From Election Day to Action: Five Communications Priorities for Nonprofits and Foundations

By Ranit Schmelzer

The midterm elections are reshaping Washington, with Democrats poised to take control of Congress. While the full implications for policy and the organizations working to influence it will take time to emerge, one thing is clear: the next Congress will bring new leadership, different priorities, and a changed political dynamic.

For nonprofits, foundations, and advocacy organizations, this is an important moment to assess what the results mean for their missions, reconnect with the people who make their work possible, and prepare for the opportunities and challenges ahead. A new Congress will be sworn in January 3, and the decisions made in the weeks and months ahead could have significant implications for the people and communities you serve.

Here are five ways to steady your communications and make the most of the months ahead.

1. Start with your mission

It’s natural to want to respond right away with a statement, social post, or fundraising appeal. Before deciding what to say, take a breath and ask what this moment means for your mission.

A public response lands best when it connects election developments to the people you serve, the policies you seek to influence, or the commitments you've made to supporters.

There's more at stake than one news cycle. In Independent Sector's 2026 trust survey, 56 percent of Americans reported high trust in nonprofits, compared with 29 percent for philanthropy and 17 percent for the federal government. That trust is hard-won. Thoughtful, mission-focused communications can help you keep it.

For 501(c)(3) organizations, it's also a good time to check in with counsel before speaking out. Bolder Advocacy, a program of Alliance for Justice, offers guidance on what nonprofits can and can't say.

2. Keep your community connected

Your staff, board members, volunteers, and partners may be feeling a range of emotions right now. A brief, heartfelt internal message can acknowledge how people are feeling, share what you know, and outline next steps.

Your major donors and funders will likely welcome a personal conversation about where you're headed and how they can help.

For foundations, grantees are an essential part of the community. Research from The Center for Effective Philanthropy shows that 93 percent of foundation leaders believe they understand grantee challenges, while only 54 percent of nonprofit leaders agree. A simple phone call or check-in can help foundations better understand what grantees are anticipating and where additional support, including communications assistance, could make a meaningful difference.

3. Revisit your policy and relationship priorities

With Democrats taking control of both chambers of Congress, the leadership and priorities of key committees will change, creating new opportunities for organizations to advance their policy goals. Review your legislative priorities, identify incoming leaders and committee chairs, and consider which relationships to strengthen or pursue before the new Congress convenes in January.

At the same time, a Democratic-controlled Congress and a Republican White House will create a new dynamic in Washington. Some legislative priorities may advance, while others could face significant obstacles. Oversight and federal agency accountability are also likely to become more prominent. Organizations should consider how these developments could affect their issues and where their voices and expertise can make a difference.

The lame-duck Congressional session also deserves attention. Lawmakers still have important decisions to make on government funding and federal grant rules. And for many organizations, state-level budget and policy discussions will be just as consequential.

Bringing communications and policy teams together early can help translate these developments into clear messages and concrete next steps.

4. Share your expertise and perspective

As the new Congress begins to set its priorities, reporters and policymakers will be looking for context. Nonprofits can help explain what the election results and the changing political landscape mean for their issues, communities, and policy priorities.

Prepare your experts to communicate clearly about what's known, what's still uncertain, and what may happen next. The people closest to your work can bring a policy's real-world impact to life in ways that complement national analysis.

5. Plan for the months ahead

The news cycle will keep moving, and that can feel like a lot. Mapping out the next 90 days can help you stay grounded and connect timely communications to longer-term goals.

• December 11: The current federal funding agreement expires, as does the congressional restriction preventing OMB from finalizing its proposed rewrite of federal grant rules. Organizations that rely on federal funding should monitor developments closely and consider what different outcomes could mean for their work and the communities they serve.

• January 3: The new Congress convenes. A concise briefing on your issue can help introduce your priorities to new offices and committee staff.

• Your issue's next milestone: Whether it's a budget proposal, a vote, or a key appointment, identify the moment and prepare an expert, a local voice, and a compelling story for reporters.

Your website, social media, and media relationships can help keep supporters informed, engaged, and connected to your work throughout the process.

Looking ahead

Elections change the political landscape, but the communications principles that earn trust remain constant: clarity, consistency, credibility, and a genuine understanding of the people you serve. Whatever the coming months bring, your community is looking to you. Lead with your values, stay close to the people who count on you, and remember that you don't have to navigate this moment alone.

Woodside Park Strategies helps nonprofits, foundations, and academic institutions find the message, the messengers, and the communications strategy to navigate moments of change and move their missions forward.