Be Bold This GivingTuesday: Lessons from Public Rights Project

Nonprofits across the country are ramping up their GivingTuesday campaigns—but we can’t pretend we’re operating in normal times.

The Trump administration and its allies in Congress continue to pursue massive funding cuts, many of which will directly affect nonprofits, and target progressive organizations whose missions or values conflict with those of the White House. Leaders are facing funding and fundraising challenges they’ve never had to navigate before.

“We have to do more than describe the crisis—we have to offer a way through it.”

But the fundraising cannot stop. Many organizations are using this GivingTuesday as an opportunity to amplify—rather than retreat from—their missions and to tap into widespread outrage over the ongoing decimation of civil society.

“This GivingTuesday, we’re highlighting the urgent need to invest in local government leaders who are on the front lines of stopping authoritarianism and protecting civil rights,” said Jocelyn Harmon, chief development officer of Public Rights Project (PRP), which helps local government officials fight for their civil rights.

“Donors are hungry for hope—not in a vague sense.”

Harmon told NPQ that now is not the moment for nonprofits to soften their message. In an environment where federal hostility is escalating and nonprofits are losing critical funding, clarity matters. For organizations like PRP, that means calling out exactly what’s happening—the loss of federal dollars, the communities being targeted, and the real harm that follows.

Last year’s GivingTuesday showed that donations grew even as the number of donors fell. It’s becoming less about finding brand-new supporters and more about keeping the people who already believe in your work engaged.

“Donors are hungry for hope—not in a vague sense,” Harmon said, “but in the form of real levers they can pull to protect democracy and civil rights….We have to do more than describe the crisis—we have to offer a way through it.”

Standing Up in Tough Times

For nonprofits facing political hostility, PRP offers an example of how to lean into the moment rather than shy away from it. And their approach provides lessons every mission-driven organization can use this year.

PRP’s civil rights work is under extraordinary strain in 2025. As the federal government leans further into authoritarian tactics, local governments are left to shoulder the burden of protecting reproductive rights, voting rights, workers’ rights, and other core civil rights. PRP’s role, providing litigation support, legal representation, training, and fellowships, has never been more essential.

The stakes of the moment and the brutal honesty required need to be front and center.

Recently, PRP helped nine cities challenge new federal conditions that threatened to cut off over $100 million in emergency-management funding, dollars that support fire departments, disaster preparedness, and public-safety work for more than 14 million residents.

PRP brings such examples of real-time impact to their fundraising to show supporters what’s at risk and how they’ll make a difference.

For its GivingTuesday campaign, PRP is being honest about what’s at risk while giving supporters a way to amplify their contribution. They’re not downplaying attacks on local governments or erasing the reality of federal overreach. Instead, they’re turning those challenges into a call for solidarity and generosity.

“We’re also sharing an exciting opportunity: a matching gift from our board that doubles every contribution, helping us scale our support for local leaders navigating unprecedented federal pressure,” Harmon said.

Showcase Your Work

PRP’s strategy this year, Harmon noted, is rooted in what their research shows donors respond to: “showing that the work is effective, showing that local leaders are acting with courage, and offering donors a concrete mechanism to make a difference.”

Harmon emphasizes that donors want to understand what’s working. At PRP, that means spotlighting the local leaders who are standing up for their communities—the attorneys, mayors, and county officials pushing back against civil rights abuses.

“Their stories help donors understand what’s possible and how their support fuels real progress,” Harmon said.

Supporters can see how their generosity translates into real impact and makes the mission tangible. The stories show donors where progress is still possible, even in a hostile federal landscape.

Harmon also stresses the importance of being specific about what you need, saying donors want “credible pathways to make a difference.” In a moment defined by urgency, vague language doesn’t move people. If you need donations, name what each amount supports. If you need volunteers, explain what they’ll do and why it matters. When people understand exactly how they can help, they’re more likely to take the next step.

For example, through the PRP matching program, donors know that every contribution will be doubled by the board. It’s simple, transparent, and gives supporters confidence that however much they can afford to give will go further.

This kind of mission-forward, impact-centered messaging is one of the most effective tools nonprofits have right now. When leaders are up-front about the problems being faced, tell stories that humanize the work, and give supporters a clear role to play, it cuts through fatigue and invites people into meaningful action. GivingTuesday shows people the difference they can make and inspires them to take the next step.

Maintain Momentum

Of course, GivingTuesday doesn’t end on December 2. For organizations like PRP, it’s part of a longer strategy to build momentum and stay connected with people who believe in their mission.

Supporters want to understand what’s happening and the clear path to impact, not to receive a one-and-done fundraising appeal.

And for nonprofits navigating political pressure, Harmon offers a reminder: “We’ve learned that fear alone doesn’t move people. Impact does…it’s [our job] to give donors a real mechanism for hope.”