Hello and welcome to a new year.

January is always a moment of recalibration. For nonprofit leaders, it’s a time to take stock of what worked, what stretched us, and what must be done differently if we want to grow with intention rather than urgency. At Lydia Sierra Consulting, we approach January not as a sprint, but as a strategic reset grounded in clarity, capacity, and confidence.

What 2026 Is Already Reinforcing for the Sector and for Our Work

As we enter 2026, nonprofit leaders continue to navigate an evolving funding landscape, particularly as federal funding remains unpredictable. While this uncertainty has required adjustment, it has also reinforced an important truth: organizations with strong systems and early planning remain best positioned to succeed.

Over the past year, we saw state agencies, local governments, and institutional funders step in more assertively. Organizations that invested in preparation and internal alignment were able to adapt quickly and move forward with confidence.

As we begin 2026:

• $5,391,386 was raised in 2025
• More than $4.6 million remains pending
• We are on track to raise $10 million annually
• And we have now raised $43 million since 2021

These outcomes reflect more than successful proposals. They represent disciplined strategy, strong internal infrastructure, and nonprofit leaders who stayed focused on long-term sustainability amid shifting conditions.

January 2026 Is About Preparation, Not Pressure

At LSC, January is not about chasing new opportunities prematurely. It’s about readiness.

Our team is preparing for the FY27 NYC Council Discretionary funding cycle, which requires early coordination, internal training, and thoughtful pacing. Many of our New York–based clients depend on discretionary funding, and consistent success in this area is never accidental—it’s built months in advance through planning and alignment.

For nonprofit leaders, this is an important reminder:
The strongest funding outcomes are built quietly, long before deadlines appear.

What Strong Organizations Are Doing Differently in 2026

As the year begins, organizations positioned for sustainable growth are demonstrating a few consistent practices:

• They align ambition with capacity, rather than stretching teams too thin
• They invest in systems—grant calendars, data management, and clear internal roles
• They prioritize quality over volume in funding pursuits
• They plan early, particularly for government and institutional opportunities

Most importantly, they resist the pressure to do everything at once.

A Grounded Path Forward

The nonprofit sector continues to operate in a complex environment. That reality isn’t new, but how leaders respond can evolve. January 2026 offers a moment to slow down just enough to make better decisions, align teams, and strengthen the foundation required for sustainable growth.

At Lydia Sierra Consulting, our focus remains steady: helping nonprofit leaders secure private and government funding through strategic prospect research, compelling proposal development, and reliable grant management, so they can stay focused on impact without becoming overwhelmed.

If this is the year you want to move from reactive to prepared, from stretched to structured, January is exactly where that work begins.

Here’s to a steady, strategic start to 2026.

Schedule a 30-minute Discovery Call to learn more about our tailored services.

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