Riding the Heatwave: 5 Nonprofit Trends Defining Q3 2025

When extreme heat smashes your community like an overly excitable waffle iron—as it does during a Missouri summer—life changes. I spend less time outdoors and more time hoping my AC can keep pace. My dogs collapse on cool tile floors, panting hard. The chickens and turkeys crowd together in whatever shade they can find, while the cows stand in the pasture, tails swishing to fend off flies.

Nonprofit work has its own seasons, too. Sometimes it’s predictable, and sometimes it’s not. In 2025, the shifts have been dramatic. As we move through Q3, here are five trends shaping the nonprofit landscape and how you can adapt before the heat breaks.

Nonprofit Trend #1: Shrinking grant proposal windows

Funders are moving faster. What used to be a generous 90-day window to submit a proposal may now be as short as 45 days or even just 15. Government agencies are leading this shift, but private funders are following suit.

Part of this acceleration is tied to the AI boom: when technology can streamline processes and produce results faster, funders are less inclined to wait months to make awards and start projects.

What this means for you: If your organization isn’t already investing in change management and resilience planning, now is the time. Decision-making processes, proposal workflows, and approval chains all need to be nimble enough to meet shorter deadlines without burning out your team.

“Disruption is accelerating. The question is—are you equipped to keep pace?”

Nonprofit Trend #2: The AI surge and its skeptics

Nonprofits are embracing AI for everything from donor analysis to volunteer coordination. But as adoption grows, so do concerns about its carbon footprint, water usage, potential job displacement, and disproportionate impact on marginalized communities.

The conversation often splits into extremes. One camp believes AI will solve the world’s problems. The other predicts it will destroy humanity. In reality, the truth lies somewhere in between. AI can be an immense asset if used thoughtfully.

Practical step: Draft an AI policy. Set clear guardrails and red lines. Decide in advance what you will and won’t use AI for, and under what conditions you’ll move forward or hit pause.

If you want a balanced view, read Empire of AI by Karen Hao. It’s a deeply researched examination of AI’s challenges, concluding with practical ways individuals and organizations can demand better.

Nonprofit Trend #3: Machine-assisted grant writing means building funder relationships are more important than ever

Grant writing is one of AI’s most obvious and most controversial uses in the nonprofit sector. The rules vary by funder. Some allow AI assistance. Others, like the National Institutes of Health, have recently cracked down after seeing a surge of submissions they suspected were AI-generated.

Why this matters: AI can write faster and longer than any human, which means more competition. Your competitive edge won’t come from cranking out more words—it will come from relationships.

Shift your focus from “we write and submit grants” to “we build relationships to deliver impact.” Ensure funders know your organization before they ever read your proposal.

Also, whenever possible, keep meticulous records of how you’ve used AI in drafting proposals. Use tracked changes to document your edits and improvements. If a funder ever questions your process, you’ll have proof of your human input.

Nonprofit Trend #4: Replace a whiplash mindset with a growth mindset

Rapid funding changes, especially at the federal level, are leaving some nonprofit leaders in a state of “whiplash.” The fear of making a wrong move, using the wrong word, or framing a proposal poorly can slow decisions to a crawl.

Yet other leaders acknowledge the turbulence and choose to focus on growth, creativity, and impact. They adapt quickly, find opportunities in uncertainty, and often report more success and greater job satisfaction.

Mindset matters: Joy is not a luxury in nonprofit work, it’s fuel. Even in a whirlwind, you can cultivate optimism and forward motion.

“Joy isn’t a commodity, it’s a human right.”

Nonprofit Trend #5: Waiting for “the right moment”

In uncertain times, leaders often choose to “wait it out” until the economy stabilizes, AI is regulated, or funding feels secure. But disruption can also be the perfect time to make bold moves.

One faith-based leader told me their organization has always operated “on a shoestring—but God’s shoestring.” We both laughed, but the truth was clear. They were ready to grow, and waiting wasn’t an option.

Your takeaway: Don’t wait for perfect conditions. If you want bigger, better outcomes, start planning and investing now. Stretch your imagination, explore new partnerships, and position your organization for the opportunities just beyond the horizon.

Final thoughts

Yes, the heat, both literal and figurative, is intense right now. Yes, uncertainty can be exhausting. But leaders who act now, rather than wait, are the ones most likely to thrive when conditions shift.

Take a pulse check on your organization. Adjust your mindset. Strengthen your relationships. And make your next big move before the weather—or the funding landscape—changes again.