What’s Keeping Nonprofit Leaders Up at Night
By: Kalie Vandewater
The past several months have tested nonprofits in ways that are both familiar and unprecedented. Economic volatility is straining budgets, federal funding is proving less reliable than ever, and donor behavior is shifting in ways that challenge even the most seasoned development teams.
NonProfit PRO recently spoke with sector leaders across fundraising, governance, and financial management (including myself) to unpack what these changes mean and what nonprofits can do to navigate the current landscape. The article highlights how inflation is affecting everything from insurance costs to endowment returns, how sudden government decisions are disrupting program funding, and how both high-net-worth and grassroots donors are rethinking their giving.
While the challenges are significant, the article emphasizes that nonprofits are not powerless. There are opportunities in this moment to broaden donor bases, lean on proven supporters, explore new giving vehicles like donor-advised funds, and even embrace tools like artificial intelligence to free up staff time for relationship-building. Just as importantly, the piece underscores the need for leaders to prioritize staff well-being and to provide steady, adaptive leadership in uncertain times.
I encourage nonprofit leaders, fundraisers, and board members to read this article. It is both a realistic assessment of where we are and a reminder that resilience requires clarity, adaptability, and action.