Over the past several months, Three Notch’d has been talking a lot with our clients about language—specifically, how the political landscape might affect their grant applications and organizational communications. It’s a conversation happening in nonprofit boardrooms across the country, often in hushed tones and with genuine uncertainty about how to proceed.
“Should we change how we describe our programs?”
“Are we overthinking this, or do we genuinely need to be worried about the language we use in grant proposals?”
These aren’t unreasonable concerns. The nonprofit sector is experiencing what many are calling a perfect storm of challenges, and language has become another variable to navigate. But here’s what we’ve learned through our work with clients: strategic language adaptation doesn’t mean compromising your mission—it means becoming more versatile storytellers.
The Reality Check: What’s Actually Happening
Many nonprofits are moving away from the acronym DEI—not because they no longer care or have changed their values, but because they want language that feels more authentic and inclusive. Organizations are exploring alternatives like “people and culture,” “justice and belonging,” or “purpose and impact.”
This isn’t about retreat—it’s about reframing, rebranding, but not retreating, as The Inclusion Firm puts it. The core work remains unchanged, but the vocabulary is evolving to reach broader audiences and navigate different funding landscapes.
Rev. Bernice King, CEO of The King Center and daughter of Martin Luther King Jr., put this shift in perspective for the Chronicle of Philanthropy earlier this year: “I think everybody has to start looking at language. It doesn’t mean you have to go do away with your core mission, but you’re going to have to wordsmith to get through this season.” Note King’s choice of the word “season,” which feels intentional and hopeful—because seasons change. This isn’t about permanent transformation of your mission, but strategic adaptation for a specific period.
Her insight resonates deeply with what we’re seeing across the sector. As she noted, “It’s obvious we’re diverse. You don’t even have to say it… So I don’t have to call it diversity or inclusion.” This practical wisdom—that the work can continue even when the language evolves—captures exactly what we mean by developing “translation fluency.”
Three Audiences, Three Languages
You’re not writing for one audience anymore. Every grant writer in this season needs to master strategic translation across three distinct funding landscapes:
Federal Funders: The New Realists
These funders are operating under heightened scrutiny and revised priorities. They want to hear about merit-based outcomes, skills development, and workforce readiness. The language that resonates focuses on measurable processes and equal opportunity rather than identity-specific interventions.
Private Foundations: The Thoughtful Investors
Many remain committed to equity-focused work, and some have even explicitly shifted their own funding in response to federal funding cuts. However, others are more cautious, shifting their language to focus on impact measurement, sustainable change, and community-driven solutions. They appreciate data-driven approaches and long-term systemic thinking.
Corporate Funders: The Strategic Partners
Corporate attitudes vary widely, but successful approaches emphasize business-relevant outcomes, workforce development, and measurable return on investment. These funders want to see how mission work connects to economic development and business priorities.
The Art of Strategic Translation
Start with Your Unchanging Core
Before adjusting a single word, identify what never changes about your program:
- The Problem: What challenge does your community face?
- Your Solution: How do you address this challenge?
- Your Impact: What measurable change do you create?
- Your Approach: What makes your method effective?
Example:
- Core Story: “We provide after-school arts programming for children in inner-city neighborhoods”
- Federal Translation: “We enhance youth development through creative arts education and workforce readiness programming for students in urban communities”
- Foundation Translation: “We build creative pathways for young people in core neighborhoods through comprehensive arts education and mentorship”
- Corporate Translation: “We develop creative and leadership skills for youth while contributing to the city’s cultural workforce pipeline”
Master Linguistic Substitution
One rule remains constant: change the language, never the truth.
| Instead of… | Try… | Why It Works |
| “Marginalized communities” | “Underserved populations” or “Communities with limited access” | Focuses on access barriers rather than identity |
| “Systemic barriers” | “Access limitations” or “Structural challenges” | Emphasizes solutions over problems |
| “Equity-focused programming” | “Equal opportunity initiatives” or “Fair access programming” | Aligns with merit-based language |
| “Underrepresented groups” | “Emerging talent pools” or “Non-traditional participants” | Positive framing with growth potential |
| “Social justice outcomes” | “Community wellbeing indicators” | Measurable and broadly appealing |
Strategic Translation in Practice
Here’s how these principles work when applied to common nonprofit scenarios. These examples illustrate the translation process across different program types and funding contexts.
Example 1: After-School Arts Program
Original Grant Language: “The Creative Futures Program addresses educational inequities and lack of arts access by providing intensive visual and performing arts programming specifically for African American and Latino elementary students from low-income neighborhoods.”
Federal Translation: “The Creative Futures Program strengthens academic and social-emotional outcomes through evidence-based arts education and youth development programming for elementary students in the city’s urban core.”
Foundation Translation: “The Creative Futures Program creates educational equity by providing comprehensive arts programming and creative workforce development for students in the city’s historically underserved neighborhoods.”
Corporate Translation: “The Creative Futures Program develops future creative professionals with leadership skills by providing arts education and mentorship for elementary students in downtown, contributing to the city’s cultural economy.”
Example 2: Senior Meal Delivery Program
Original Grant Language: “The Nourishing Neighbors Initiative addresses racial disparities in senior food insecurity by providing culturally appropriate meal delivery specifically targeting elderly Black and Latino residents in rural counties who face transportation barriers.”
Translation Across All Audiences: “The Nourishing Neighbors Initiative ensures consistent nutrition security for seniors by providing home-delivered meals and wellness check services for elderly residents in rural areas with limited transportation access, with menu selections informed by community preferences and dietary requirements.”
Why it works: Maintains the same targeted support and cultural responsiveness while focusing on nutrition outcomes, transportation solutions, and community-driven choices rather than racial demographics.
When Translation Meets Reality: The Authenticity Test
Before finalizing any language changes, consider these essential questions:
- Does this language accurately represent what we do?
- Would our program participants recognize their experience in this description?
- Can we deliver everything promised in this language?
- Does this framing align with our organizational values?
- Will this language help us reach the communities we serve?
If you answer “no” to any of these questions, it’s time to revise. Strategic translation should never compromise your integrity or mislead funders about your work.
Moving Forward Together
The current language landscape requires the same skills that make great grant writers: empathy, strategic thinking, and the ability to translate complex ideas for different audiences. Your mission doesn’t change—your vocabulary simply becomes more versatile.
At Three Notch’d, we’re committed to helping organizations navigate this complexity while staying true to their core purpose. We’ve seen firsthand how strategic language adaptation can open doors without compromising integrity. The key is approaching these changes thoughtfully, with input from your community and a clear understanding of your authentic impact.
Remember: Every grant you write is a story. Make sure it’s a story that funders want to invest in, communities want to participate in, and you can authentically tell.
Need help developing your organization’s strategic translation approach? Three Notch’d Nonprofit Solutions specializes in helping nonprofits craft compelling narratives that resonate across all funding streams. Contact us to discuss how we can help you navigate this complex landscape while staying true to your mission.
Cover Photo by Michelle Gordon on Unsplash
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