Pros
This organization exists today because leadership was willing to make extremely hard decisions during a financial crisis. When ACP funding dropped from the primary source of revenue to zero almost overnight, the company was at real risk of failing. Instead of pretending everything was fine, leadership confronted reality, restructured quickly, and stabilized the organization. As a result, the company survived, became profitable, and has posted positive financial results last fiscal year and this fiscal year. That matters in the nonprofit space. At a time when many nonprofits are downsizing, closing programs, or shutting down entirely due to funding shortfalls, this organization is surviving, and in many ways, thriving. That outcome did not happen by accident.
Cons
The transition was difficult and not everyone experienced it positively. The culture necessarily changed when the organization shifted from a subsidy-dependent model to one focused on sustainability, accountability, and performance. Roles that existed under the previous model were no longer viable. Expectations increased. The pace was intense, and the pressure was real. Crisis leadership is rarely comfortable leadership.