Turn Uncertainty into Opportunity with Contingency Planning

Candace Kohli, PhD
Aug 29
2 min read

Updated: Sep 4

Is your organization ready

for the unexpected?

The last few years have been a master class in unpredictability. From global health crises to natural disasters like Hurricane Helene and now sudden funding and regulatory changes, nonprofits have had to make big decisions quickly — often with incomplete information and uncertainty about what could come next.

One thing I’ve noticed: the organizations that navigated these storms most smoothly weren’t necessarily the biggest or the best funded. They were the ones that had taken the time to prepare for the “what if’s."

Readiness doesn’t happen by accident. It comes from intentional, collaborative planning — not just for the future we hope for, but for a variety of known and unknown futures we might have to navigate.

Contingency Planning

Contingency planning — also called scenario planning or positioning — helps organizations anticipate risks, set priorities, and map responses before a crisis hits. The goal in contingency planning is to build structures to guide strategic decision making and action when unknown futures become present realities.

Much like a school fire drill, it gives everyone a clear, practiced plan so they can act quickly and decisively. Resources from Bridgespan, the Nonprofit Finance Fund, and BoardSource offer tools that can guide the process. FEMA and CISA also have planning guides that can be adapted for nonprofit use.

No matter the approach, a strong contingency plan should include:

Thorough risk assessments that identify uncertainties around funding, operations, compliance, services, and stakeholder relationships.
Mission-oriented priorities that clarify what programs or services are essential to an organization’s mission and must continue. Your mission is your north star.
A quick “trigger” checklist and implementation plan for deciding when to move from business-as-usual to a response plan.
Financial and staffing scenarios that help you scale operations and services for different levels of resource availability.
Governance and succession steps so leadership roles remain clear during disruptions.

The goal isn’t to predict the future — it’s to make sure your organization can keep moving toward its mission no matter what comes your way.

Have you done contingency planning in the last 5 years?

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Contingency Planning through

Inclusive Strategy Sprints

As a systems thinker, I believe uncertainty is an asset - it opens the door to creativity and resilience. I help organizations use contingency planning to uncover hidden opportunities, strengthen decision-making, and prepare for multiple possible futures.

My approach centers on strategy sprints: short, structured sessions that engage staff, board, clients, and partners in shaping responses together. Not only are these sprints seriously fun team-building exercises, they also surface diverse perspectives, prioritize critical risks, and co-create clear action steps—ensuring the plan isn’t just practical, but truly owned and energized by your whole organization.

If your organization doesn’t yet have a clear, collaborative contingency plan, now is a great time to create one. I work with nonprofits to build board-ready, stakeholder-informed plans that help teams respond quickly and confidently to change while staying laser-focused on your mission.

Let's schedule 20 minutes to explore how contingency planning could strengthen your organization. Click the button below to contact me.