Why are community foundations seeing such significant growth? Investment performance is part of the answer, but there may be something deeper happening. People want to make a difference where they live. Donors want more than confirmation that their gift was received. They want to see what changed because they gave, especially in the communities and among the people they already care about. For fundraisers, that creates an important challenge: stop talking only about what your organization needs and start showing donors what their generosity can change in the place they call home.
Read MoreDisaster recovery is often treated as a short-term response, but meaningful recovery requires long-term coordination, patience, and strategic leadership. Drawing on the Omaha Community Foundation’s response to the 2024 tornadoes, aligning donors, nonprofits, government agencies, and case management efforts can produce more effective outcomes than fragmented relief efforts. The lesson goes beyond disaster philanthropy: the most impactful solutions emerge when organizations focus on system design, collaboration, and sustained support rather than immediate activity alone. Recovery is not an event. It is a process that rewards discipline and thoughtful coordination.
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