Anchored in Uncertainty: Leading with Values, Vision, and Courage

In this moment of deep uncertainty, many organizations — nonprofits, foundations, and companies alike — are feeling unmoored. The economic landscape is shifting, federal funding is shrinking, philanthropic strategies are evolving, and market volatility is creating ripple effects across sectors. But the uncertainty isn’t just financial. It’s emotional, cultural, and existential.

Leaders are grappling with hard questions:

• How do we protect our people?

• How do we stay true to our mission?

• How do we make decisions when the future feels unknowable?

At Raben, we believe this is not just a moment of challenge — it’s a moment of clarity. And that clarity starts with your values.

Anchor in Your Values

Almost every organization has a set of values. But too often, they live on a website or on a slide deck — distant from the day-to-day decisions that shape culture and impact. In times of crisis or change, values should be your compass.

• What do your values communicate to the world?

• How do they galvanize your staff, supporters, or customers?

• Do they offer guidance on how to behave when the path forward is unclear?

If the answers to these questions feel fuzzy, you’re not alone. We’ve worked with dozens of organizations to define, refine, and activate their values — turning them into tools for leadership, alignment, and resilience.

Understand Your Risk Appetite

In this climate, many organizations are under attack — or fear they soon will be. Whether it’s political scrutiny, reputational risk, or backlash for standing in your truth, the pressure is real.

That’s why every organization needs to understand its risk appetite. From the boardroom to the front lines, leaders must be aligned on what risks they’re willing to take, and why.

We help organizations walk through scenario planning exercises that clarify:

• What are the risks we’re facing?

• What are we willing to say or do — and what are we not?

• How do we prepare our people and our systems for what’s ahead?

These conversations are not just strategic — they’re cultural. They help organizations move from fear to intentionality.

Reassess — and Reimagine — Your Organization

This is also a time for reflection and reinvention. Is your mission still relevant? Are you still having the impact you set out to achieve? Has the world changed in ways that require you to evolve?

We’ve supported organizations in:

• Reaffirming or revising their mission

• Merging with aligned partners

• Sunsetting programs — or even dissolving entirely — with dignity and purpose

• Building new organizations from the ground up, with clarity of purpose and equity at the core

These are not easy decisions. But they are courageous ones. And they are necessary for organizations that want to remain effective, ethical, and aligned with their values.

Clarity Is Attainable

Yes, this is a hard moment. But it’s also a clarifying one. The organizations that will thrive are those that lead with courage, clarity, and conviction. Those who revisit their values, assess their risks, and realign their strategies with purpose.

At Raben, we’re here to help you do just that. Whether you need a thought partner, a facilitator, or a full strategic planning process — we bring the tools, the experience, and the heart to help you move forward.