Plot Twist- Your Budget Needs a Backup Plan (or three)

Because you can't afford to white-knuckles it thorugh another fiscal year.

Hey nonprofit rockstars—real talk for a second.

Between unpredictable funding, rising costs, and the fact that you never know what headline is going to hit your inbox before 9 a.m., the only thing certain these days is that... well, nothing is.

The political climate? Shaky. 

Donor confidence? Wobbly. 

Your grant that was “almost confirmed”? …crickets.

It’s a lot. And it’s tempting to either freeze, panic, or cling to one beautiful, fragile version of your budget and hope it holds up.

But there’s a better way.

Enter: scenario planning. Budgeting’s calm, collected cousin who always packs snacks and a charger.

Instead of locking yourself into one financial “plan” and praying it holds, scenario planning says: “Hey, let’s map out a few different futures. That way, we’re ready no matter which one shows up.”

It's like having an umbrella and your sunglasses in your bag. You’re covered, literally and figuratively.

You may be asking yourself, What even is scenario planning?

Scenario planning means you build 2–3 alternate versions of your budget—think:

• A Base Case (your best guess)

• A Conservative Case (if things dip by 10–15%)

• A Worst-Case (if funding takes a nosedive)

You're not being dramatic. You’re being strategic. 

It’s clarity in the face of chaos. It’s your mission’s backup plan.

Takeaway: Uncertainty isn’t going anywhere—but that doesn’t mean you have to fly blind. Multiple budget scenarios = calm, confident decision-making.

Want help getting started?

I’m offering a few free 30-minute Budget Scenario Consults this month. If you want to walk through your numbers and get clarity on what to prioritize, grab a time here. 

Coming Up in Part 2:What do those scenarios look like? What should change in each one? And how do you build them without having a finance degree or a stress rash? I’ve got you.

In budgeting bliss and spreadsheet splendor,

Mandy