Navigating Financial Challenges: Exploring Leadership Strategies, in Human Service Nonprofits in Columbus, Ohio, Responding to Reduced Government Funding

Date of Award

Summer 2026

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)

Committee Chair

Leo Sedlmeyer

Committee Member

Lorenzo Claxton

Committee Member

Hilda Moses

Abstract

Nonprofit organizations face increasing challenges as government funding reductions affect their ability to sustain operations and deliver services. The purpose of this exploratory qualitative study was to explore the strategies nonprofit leaders used to respond to reduced government funding while continuing to serve their communities. The study focused on leaders of human service nonprofit organizations in Columbus, Ohio. The researcher conducted semi-structured interviews with 10 nonprofit leaders who had at least 5 years of leadership experience, using open-ended questions. The researcher collected data via Zoom interviews and analyzed them using ATLAS.ti 25. Through inductive coding of the thematic analysis, the researcher identified three major categories: Funding Diversification, Adjusting to Government Cuts, and Strategic Leadership.

Key themes included increasing donations, pursuing grant funding, engaging in community outreach, maintaining service quality, building donor relationships, strategic planning, budget control, utilizing volunteers, and demonstrating leadership adaptability during financial challenges. The findings revealed that nonprofit leaders sustained operations through interconnected strategies rather than relying on a single approach. Leaders strengthened financial stability by diversifying revenue sources, adjusting organizational operations, and applying strategic leadership practices to maintain continuity and service delivery. The study also introduced the Nonprofit Leadership Cycle to Reduce Government Funding, a practical framework that illustrates how leaders assess financial challenges, implement strategic actions, and sustain operations over time. The findings contribute to nonprofit leadership research by providing practical insight into how leaders navigate financial uncertainty while maintaining organizational sustainability and community impact.

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