Facing the Unknown
And shining a light where there was once only darkness.
The doctor just handed her to me, but I hadn’t the foggiest idea of what to do with a newborn. I had a disposable camera in one hand (because of course I’d forgotten my phone) and my baby daughter in the other. My worries then ranked from the insane (What if she eats my camera!) to the absurd (What if she eats my camera!). That was fifteen and a half years ago, and every time I think about facing down my first day of parenthood, I think:
Honestly, what was I so afraid of?
But at the time, I was a complete mess. I kept saying, “Christ, Brad, don’t drop her! Wait, are you holding her too tightly? Can she breathe? Also, you jackass, cut the crap with the camera!”
Gradually, those moments of terror gave way to a more profound realization: that this tiny person may be entirely dependent on me but I have no freaking idea what I’m doing. It was humbling, exhilarating, and mildly horrifying all at once.
But in reality: I was afraid of the unknown.
Fear of the unknown - that vague, nagging worry about what might go wrong when we leap into unfamiliar territory. Interestingly, in my experience, confronting a tangible fear is way easier than grappling with the ambiguity of not knowing what’s coming next. For example, I am afraid of sharks in the ocean because I know that there are sharks in the ocean. But that fact doesn’t stop me from going for the occasional swim (which I sometimes do in the wintertime… more about that in a future post).
But for nonprofit leaders and fundraisers, we’re constantly facing down the fear of the unknown, which manifests in many ways:
A major donor delays a decision, leaving the organization unsure about its funding for the coming year.
A new program or exhibit is about open, but we’re unsure about its reception, funding sustainability, or cumulative impact.
Leadership turnover creates uncertainty about organizational vision or culture, leaving staff unsure of their roles and donors unsure of the organization’s future direction.
Fear of the unknown can paralyze even the most seasoned professionals. The absence of clear information often leads to hesitation, second-guessing, or clinging to the status quo. Yet the worst thing you can do is simply stand still. Progress requires forward motion—even when the path ahead isn’t fully illuminated.
The Tangible vs. The Ambiguous
When we face tangible fears, we know what we’re up against. For example:
Fear of failure: A fundraising campaign falls short of its goal.
Fear of criticism: A new program is met with skepticism from the community.
These challenges, though daunting, come with clear action steps. We can analyze past efforts, adjust strategies, and try again. Tangible fears have edges we can grasp.
The fear of the unknown, however, is like picking a fight against something you can’t see. Questions like “What if the donor never comes through?” or “What if nobody shows up? or “What if the baby really does eat my camera!” evoke anxiety because they lack definitive answers.
How to Move Forward Through Uncertainty
The good news is that fear of the unknown can be managed and ultimately (with persistence) can be transformed into a source of growth. Here are three ways nonprofits can navigate ambiguity with confidence:
1. Open Communication Lines as Widely as Possible
Fear thrives in the absence of information, so prioritize clear, open communication:
• With your team: Keep staff informed about challenges and evolving plans. Uncertainty often feels less daunting when it’s shared and addressed collaboratively.
• With donors and stakeholders: Be transparent about where the organization stands and what’s needed to move forward. People often appreciate honesty and are willing to help if given the chance.
For example, if a donor delays a decision, outline contingency plans for the team. What alternative strategies can be put in place? Are there other conversations that might migitate the delay, or even a rejection? Removing even minor uncertainties can make a big difference.
2. Persevere With Imperfect Information
Perfection is a luxury nonprofits rarely have. Instead, focus on making the best possible decisions with the information you have:
Develop a bias for action. Waiting for perfect clarity often results in missed opportunities.
Be flexible. Build flexible plans that allow for adjustments as new information comes to light.
Admit that you don’t know. This is the hardest of all. Projecting full confidence in the face of incomplete information is disingenuous. Admit that the intel is imperfect, but that you believe there is enough information to make an informed decision.
For instance, when launching a new program, start small and pilot it. If you uncover blind spots during execution, admit the unexpected setbacks. But debrief on the outcomes and eliminate any behavior or actions that lead to the setback. This approach reduces the stakes while offering valuable data for future efforts.
3. Reframe the Unknown as Opportunity
The unknown isn’t just a source of fear—it’s also where possibility lives. Embrace uncertainty as a chance to innovate, test bold ideas, and discover new strengths.
• Encourage your team to view challenges as experiments. Even “failures” can yield insights that inform future success.
• Shift the narrative from “What if something goes wrong?” to “What if this leads to something extraordinary?”
This might mean trying a new donor engagement strategy or pivoting to a different audience in fundraising. In programming, it could mean collaborating with an unexpected partner or testing a cutting-edge approach to service delivery.
A Call to Action
The unknown will always be part of the nonprofit journey. But fear doesn’t have to dictate our actions. By removing uncertainty where we can, persevering with imperfect information, and reframing ambiguity as an opportunity, we can move forward with courage and clarity.
Now, let’s open the conversation:
How has a fear of the unknown shown up in your nonprofit work?
What strategies have you found helpful in navigating uncertainty?
Drop your thoughts in the comments below—let’s shine some light on these areas together.
well said. Most of us can't deal with the unknown or what is called uncertainty but isn't all uncertainty.