As of February 21, 2025, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is driving changes—$3.4 billion in reported savings, federal tech upgrades, and workforce shifts
Your clients may be experiencing these changes in different ways. Here are some considerations for your next conversation, including how you and your clients can turn DOGE’s budget cuts into philanthropic wins.
- Turn cuts into client giving opportunities: DOGE’s budget cuts may leave some of your clients feeling like there are new kinds of needs in topics your clients are passionate about, like healthcare, education, food security, and more.
How to take action: Schedule a “Your Causes in 2025 and Beyond” client meeting to open the discussion about what impact they hope to have during and after their lifetime. - Harness tech momentum: DOGE’s federal IT overhauls aim to improve efficiency, like faster grant processing, sparking ideas for nonprofits to make tech upgrades. Help clients enhance their favorite charities by designating donations to fund tech upgrades.
How to take action: Use a DAF to direct gifts toward technology improvements at preferred charitable organizations. - Reframe workforce changes: DOGE’s job cuts via in-office rules affect federal employees across the country. If you have clients in this scenario, help them pivot severance or retirement funds into impactful donations.
How to take action: Offer a “stability-to-impact” consult to blend income and giving goals. - Stay Ahead of the Curve: DOGE’s bold moves – savings, tech shifts, or setbacks – could alter giving landscapes by redirecting public funds, boosting efficiency, or creating new needs. Stay informed to fine-tune clients’ giving plans.
How to take action: Bookmark DOGE’s new website for updates and tie them to smarter giving strategies. - Spark the conversation: DOGE’s high-profile moves are a conversation starter for almost everyone. Use this opportunity to get to know your clients more personally, including where they can find inspiration in catalytic change.
How to take action: Kick off discussions with “DOGE’s changes are unfolding fast, and we don’t know the full outcome yet, but where can the resources available to us make a big impact?”
Irrespective of where your client sits on the political spectrum, they are following the updates and likely have some opinions about it. You can help them take either the momentum – or the frustration – they’re feeling and channel it into doing good via charitable giving and again demonstrating that you are the best partner they could choose.
