Record market gains have boosted endowments to historic highs, offering unprecedented financial stability for foundations and nonprofits. Yet while assets rise, community needs—from food security to healthcare—are escalating even faster, widening the gap between resources and reality. Some foundations are responding by temporarily raising payout rates, recognizing that exceptional returns call for mission-aligned urgency. Long-term sustainability matters, but capital exists to create impact, and extraordinary times demand extraordinary generosity.
Read MoreFundraising isn’t just about asking for money, it’s about translation. The best fundraisers act as interpreters between donors, communities, and mission, revealing how people perceive an organization’s work. When nonprofits treat fundraisers as strategic partners rather than order takers, they gain real-world intelligence that shapes messaging, programs, and long-term sustainability. The question isn’t simply, “Did they give?” but “What did we learn?”
Read MorePhilanthropy can no longer afford to let trillions sit idle while communities face urgent challenges. A bipartisan proposal to raise foundation payout rates—and establish a minimum for DAFs—could unlock $20–35 billion in new annual funding for nonprofits. The math is simple, the moral case is strong, and the impact would be transformative. When both parties agree it's time to put capital to work, the sector should pay attention.
Read MoreRecent research shows that over half of federally funded nonprofits now face financial instability, highlighting the risks of relying too heavily on a single funding source. Nonprofits that concentrate revenue from one grant, donor, or sponsor are vulnerable to sudden cuts that can jeopardize programs, staff, and community impact. Revenue diversification, across individual giving, corporate partnerships, earned income, and planned gifts, reduces risk while creating opportunities for growth and innovation. For leadership and boards, making diversification a strategic priority is essential to building resilience and ensuring mission continuity.
Read MoreNonprofits often focus on immediate fundraising goals at the expense of the stories that truly inspire giving. Research and examples, like Brilliant Cities’ tenfold donor increase, show that compelling narratives foster emotional connection and long-term support. Storytelling transforms giving from a transaction into an experience, building trust and making impact tangible. For nonprofit leaders, the key question isn’t how to raise more money, it’s what stories are being told, and whether they resonate deeply enough to cultivate lasting donor relationships.
Read MoreHigher education has evolved beyond degrees, with noncredit certificates emerging as focused, practical alternatives for professionals seeking targeted skills. While certificates offer flexibility and immediate applicability, their quality has varied widely, creating uncertainty for students, employers, and institutions. Accrediting these programs provides guardrails, ensuring rigor, accountability, and meaningful outcomes. Properly regulated, certificates complement traditional degrees and represent a promising pathway for lifelong learning and professional growth.
Read MoreThe newly passed “One Big Beautiful Bill” (OBBBA) reshapes the landscape of charitable giving, yet many nonprofit leaders remain unaware of its full impact. While the universal charitable deduction for non-itemizers encourages small gifts, new limits on high-income and corporate deductions could dampen larger or more spontaneous donations. Provisions like taxes on large endowments and top nonprofit salaries further signal a shifting federal attitude toward philanthropy. Understanding these changes isn’t optional—nonprofit leaders must adapt now, or risk being left behind as donor behavior evolves.
Read MoreTrust isn’t a new topic in fundraising, but it remains the most overlooked driver of donor loyalty. Research shows that one in four donors stops giving because they don’t believe nonprofits are transparent—a loss entirely preventable with better communication and accountability. Trust grows when organizations thank donors quickly, connect giving to real impact, and stay honest about both successes and challenges. Building donor trust isn’t a side task, it’s the foundation of long-term sustainability and genuine partnership.
Read MoreA recent client discussion around Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara turned into something bigger—a reflection on how excellence and empathy shape everything we do. The team connected deeply with two timeless lessons: Vince Lombardi’s pursuit of perfection that leads to excellence, and Maya Angelou’s truth that people remember how you make them feel. Together, they capture what leadership and philanthropy are really about—intentionality, care, and the courage to go beyond expectations. In the end, success isn’t measured by flawless execution, but by the lasting impression we leave on others.
Read MoreThe “second curve,” a concept from Charles Handy, reminds us that what drives early success rarely sustains future growth. True progress demands the courage to leave comfort behind, step into uncertainty, and relearn what it means to grow. Stability gives us the foundation—but discomfort is what creates transformation. The real mark of leadership isn’t mastering the first curve; it’s having the vision and bravery to leap to the second.
Read MoreFormal education may build the foundation of our intellect, but true learning begins when curiosity takes over. Whether through podcasts like Clark Howard and Advisory Opinions, or simply pursuing new skills, lifelong learning keeps our minds active and our perspectives sharp. Research shows it even improves mental health, reduces loneliness, and lowers mortality risk—benefits as powerful as exercise or nutrition. Learning, then, isn’t just knowledge—it’s vitality, connection, and a choice to keep growing.
Read MoreThe 1955 film Good Morning, Miss Dove reminds us of that influence often works quietly, through steady presence and integrity rather than grand gestures. Miss Dove didn’t seek to change the world, she simply did her work faithfully, yet her lessons echoed through generations of students whose lives she touched. Most of us underestimate how deeply our consistency and kindness can ripple through others’ lives, often without our knowing. The film’s true lesson is twofold: live intentionally and take time to thank those whose quiet influence helped shape who you’ve become.
Read MoreOur digital identities—email addresses, phone numbers, and card numbers—are quietly threaded through nearly every service we use until one change breaks them all. A $50 disputed charge taught me that swapping a card or losing a long-held alumni email isn’t a ten-minute task; it can cascade into hours of account updates, locked accounts, and missed alerts. Institutions ending lifetime .edu accounts and routine card replacements show why stability and careful planning matter more than convenience. Before you click “replace,” weigh the full disruption: sometimes the easy fix creates bigger problems than the original issue.
Read MoreWhen a nonprofit receives a large, unexpected, unrestricted gift, excitement can quickly turn to tension without a plan in place. A clear windfall policy transforms those moments from reactive debates into strategic opportunities—balancing today’s needs with tomorrow’s sustainability. By defining in advance how surprise funds will be split between immediate priorities and long-term reserves or endowment, organizations make disciplined decisions that build lasting strength. With a policy, every unexpected gift becomes more than a blessing—it becomes a legacy.
Read MoreFour skilled, mission-driven volunteers can unlock over $90,000 in annual value for a nonprofit—the equivalent of a full-time employee. As budgets tighten and needs grow, it’s time to view volunteerism not as charity, but as smart talent strategy. When organizations recruit and empower volunteers with purpose and structure, they don’t just save money—they expand capacity, deepen community engagement, and transform impact. The value is measurable, and the opportunity is too big to ignore.
Read MoreMidlevel donors are the quiet engine of long-term philanthropy—steady, loyal, and often your best future planned giving prospects. They bridge the gap between annual fund supporters and major donors, combining generosity with deep mission commitment. By investing in meaningful stewardship and authentic relationships today, nonprofits can turn these consistent givers into tomorrow’s legacy champions. The path takes patience, but the payoff is enduring impact.
Read MoreAfter 51 years of Nebraska football, I’ve learned the real magic isn’t on the field—it’s in the stands. For a few hours, 85,000 people set aside politics, backgrounds, and differences to cheer as one. Memorial Stadium becomes more than a venue; it’s a reminder that unity still exists when we focus on what connects us instead of what divides us. In a fractured world, that shared spirit might be the most meaningful victory of all.
Read MoreAs donor pools shrink and costs rise, unrestricted funding has become a lifeline for nonprofits—fueling the people, systems, and strategy behind every mission. Yet too often, organizations undersell their operational backbone. Winning core support requires more than a grant proposal; it demands trust, transparency, and proof of organizational strength. In today’s climate, general operating support isn’t overhead—it’s the engine that drives impact.
Read MoreIn a world built for speed, we’ve traded depth for efficiency—quick texts instead of long talks, brief visits instead of lasting memories. Yet the moments that shape us most aren’t the fast ones; they’re the ones that stretch, linger, and allow real connection to take root. Whether it’s family dinners, road trips, or slow Sunday rounds of golf, those unhurried experiences remind us what it means to be fully present. Life may move fast, but meaning takes time.
Read MoreThe best nonprofit boards aren’t just filled with generous givers—they’re powered by great connectors. A board member’s true value lies not only in their personal contribution but in their ability to open doors, expand networks, and amplify the organization’s reach. Recruitment shouldn’t just be about resumes or wealth, it’s about mapping influence and identifying who can help tell your story to new audiences. The strongest boards don’t just give, they connect.
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