Nonprofits Now: Leading Today – Details, episodes & analysis

Federal funding cuts and increased demand for their services have left nonprofits across the country and issue areas reeling — with many questioning whether they will survive. The consequences are stark, given the vital work nonprofits do in communities across the country. 

To help nonprofits navigate this challenging time, we here at "Nonprofits Now" would like to share this podcast episode by our friends at the Center for Effective Philanthropy. Their podcast, "Giving Done Right," offers essential guidance to donors contributing everything from small sums to major gifts.

In this episode, CEP Vice President of Research Elisha Smith Arrillaga shares just-collected data on what nonprofits are experiencing. In conversation with "Giving Done Right" host and CEP President Phil Buchanan, Smith Arrillaga shares insights into which nonprofits have been hardest hit and what steps they're taking to respond. She also talks with Buchanan about data on the foundation response to the situation and argues that the existential challenges nonprofits are facing require bold, values-driven responses from donors.

• "Mounting Pressure: U.S. Foundations and Nonprofits on the 2025 Political Climate"
• "State of Nonprofits: 2025"
• "Challenging Times"
• For additional resources for funders, see here.

We here at Nonprofits Now would like to introduce you to our friends at the We Are for Good Podcast, where innovative philanthropy leaders share ideas and strategies that change the world. In addition to podcasts, the folks at We Are for Good also run a community hub where nonprofit professionals can connect and learn from each other.

We were honored that the hosts of the We Are for Good Podcast, Jon McCoy and Becky Endicott, wanted to talk with Nonprofits Now host Stacy Palmer about her decades covering the philanthropic world as the longtime top editor and now CEO of the Chronicle of Philanthropy.

Take a listen to this episode from our friends at the We Are For Good Podcast, where you'll get to sit down with Stacy 🤝, a dynamic leader and a true force for good in the nonprofit sector. Jon and Becky talk with Stacy about her journey from a curious student journalist to a leader transforming the landscape of philanthropy. 

Stacy shares her insights on the future of fundraising, the impact of new generations of donors, and the game-changing potential of unrestricted giving. Her thoughts on curiosity and humor as leadership essentials will leave you inspired and ready to tackle challenges with a smile.

Whether you're a nonprofit pro or just passionate about making a difference, this episode is packed with practical strategies, heartfelt stories, and inspiration to fuel your mission-driven journey. Tune in and let's change the world together. 🎧

 Learn:

• Why media drives change and moves audiences to action.
• How to retain staff in high-burnout environments.
• Where resilience leads amidst policy and funding shifts.
• Why understanding new donor generations is crucial.
• How unrestricted giving transforms nonprofit impact.
• Why curiosity and humor are leadership essentials.

Nonprofits are facing a series of financial hits — or bracing for them. Federal spending cuts have already forced many organizations to trim programs and lay off workers — and with policymakers considering more far-reaching reductions, additional austerity is likely. Meanwhile, the growing possibility of a recession could spell trouble for nonprofits that depend on foundations, corporations, and individuals for support.

To help organizations navigate this period, Chronicle CEO Stacy Palmer turned to two leaders.

Aisha Benson, head of the Nonprofit Finance Fund, offers advice based on nearly three decades working with organizations on a broad range of fiscal matters. Myal Greene leads World Relief, which provides humanitarian aid around the world — and runs refugee resettlement programs in the United States. It relies on support from the federal government as well as private donors, and faced nearly immediate cuts when President Trump took office in January.

Among Benson and Greene’s recommendations:

• Do a cash flow analysis and prepare for different scenarios. 
• Reach out to grant makers and other donors. 
• Advocacy matters. 
• Get legal advice and watch for misinformation.
• The past is not a perfect guided for today’s challenges. 

Connect with Benson and Greene on LinkedIn.

Further resources:

• "Facing Federal Defunding, Nonprofits Draft Best and Worst Case Budgets" by Eden Stiffman
• "How to Lead Well in Uncertain Times" By Lisa Schohl
• "6 Ways Nonprofit Leaders Can Boost Morale in Chaotic Times" by Rasheeda Childress
• "7 Ways to Earn Foundations’ Trust and Win General Operating Support" by M.J. Prest
• "Know Your Rights: How Much Can Tax-Exempt Groups Speak Out?" by Roger Colinvoux
• "How to Retain Skittish Donors Amid the Economic Turbulence" by Rasheeda Childress
• "Fundamentals for Nonprofits" by the Nonprofit Finance Fund
• "Leadership at the Crossroads" by George Anders

Nonprofits Now: Leading Today is hosted by Stacy Palmer. It’s produced by Emily Haynes at the Chronicle of Philanthropy and from Reasonable Volume, Mary Dooe is the producer, Mark Bush is our engineer, and Rachel Swaby and Elise Hu are executive producers. Additional support comes from Margie Fleming Glennon, Andrew Simon, Nick Adams, Krista Niles, Amaya Beltran, and Kyle Johnson.

For the latest philanthropy news and analysis, subscribe to the Chronicle at philanthropy.com/subscribe

With the prospect of an economic downturn looming ― and the number of nonprofit layoffs on the rise ― many leaders are coping with a jittery workforce and new pressures to keep staff members motivated.

These new developments come on top of one of the most challenging staff recruitment landscapes in recent memory, after the Covid pandemic changed how and where work gets done.

In search of solutions, Chronicle CEO Stacy Palmer talked to two leaders who have found ways to attract and retain outstanding employees.

Jordan Shenker is CEO of the Peninsula Jewish Community Center, in Foster City, California, and Keena Friday is COO of the Association of Infant Mental Health in Tennessee. 

Among their suggestions:

• Don’t rush to fill open positions.
• Salary isn’t the only lure.
• Remote work options matter.
• As the economy and federal policy shift, communicate what you know as often as possible. 

Connect with Friday and Shenker on LinkedIn.

 Further Reading:

• “6 Ways Nonprofit Leaders Can Boost Morale in Chaotic Time” by Rasheeda Childress
• “How to Lead Well in Uncertain Times” by Lisa Schohl
• “For Nonprofits, Remote Work Offers a Competitive Edge” by Eden Stiffman
• “How to Attract Employees — Simple Strategies Work Better Than New Benefits” by Ben Gose
• “Leaders’ Advice for Other Leaders” by Ben Gose
• “Smart Ways to Show You’re Ready for a Promotion — and a Few Things to Avoid” by Lisa Schohl
• “How to Manage Up — and Reach Your Career Goals” by Lisa Schohl
• “Q&A: Bad Bosses, Big Dreams, and Broken Philanthropy” by Nandita Raghuram
• “A Really Tough Job: Nonprofit CEOs Work to Make Their Roles More Manageable” by Ben Gose
• “Leadership at the Crossroads” by George Anders

We welcome your thoughts on how the Chronicle can help you build your leadership superpowers. Write us at connect@philanthropy.com.

You can find a video version of this episode at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDndlWcRXEM

Nonprofits Now: Leading Today is hosted by Stacy Palmer. It’s produced by Emily Haynes at the Chronicle of Philanthropy and from Reasonable Volume, Mary Dooe is the producer, Mark Bush is our engineer, and Rachel Swaby and Elise Hu are executive producers. Additional support comes from Margie Fleming Glennon, Andrew Simon, Nick Adams, Krista Niles, Amaya Beltran, and Kyle Johnson.

For the latest philanthropy news and analysis, subscribe to the Chronicle at philanthropy.com/subscribe

As nonprofit leaders grapple with increasingly dire threats to their funding and missions, it’s more important than ever to understand what it takes to lead resilient organizations.

For a look at what skills are most important, we hear from Vanessa Priya Daniel, who interviewed 45 social-justice leaders for her new book, Unrig the Game: What Women of Color Can Teach Everyone About Winning.

Daniel combines her extensive research for the book with her own experiences as an organizer and founder of Groundswell Fund and Groundswell Action Fund — which together have distributed more than $100 million to over 200 organizations led by women of color and transgender people.

In a conversation with Chronicle CEO Stacy Palmer, Daniel says her interviews led her to identify three all successful change agents possessed:

• Bold ideas. Incremental solutions don’t add up to enough to solve the tremendous challenges of today and tomorrow. 
• Generosity. Daniel says an “ethos of rising by lifting others” is what makes the women she interviewed successful.
• 360-degree vision. There’s never just one cause of a problem that’s complex and worth solving.

Connect with Daniel on LinkedIn.

Further Reading:

• "Open Your Tent for Supporters Wide, Says Leader of Progressive Group" by Nicole Wallace
• "Opinion: White Philanthropy, Here's How to Guarantee Real Change Happens" by Edgar Villanueva and Vanessa Daniel
• "Opinion: A Post-Affirmative Action World Demands More — Not Less — Funding for Black Leaders" by Cora Daniels
• "Opinion: Women Leaders of Color Are Exhausted. Philanthropy Needs to Step Up." by Sayu Bhojwani
• "The Challenges of Being a Woman Leader of Color at a Nonprofit" by Jim Rendon
• "Funders Should Support Nonprofit Leadership Transitions — Now" by Nick Grono
• "Leadership at the Crossroads" by George Anders
• "A Really Tough Job: Nonprofit CEOs Work to Make Their Roles More Manageable" by Ben Gose

We welcome your thoughts on how the Chronicle can help you build your leadership superpowers. Write us at connect@philanthropy.com.

You can find a video version of this episode at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugOjpCJ3ChE&t=81s

Nonprofits Now: Leading Today is hosted by Stacy Palmer. It’s produced by Emily Haynes at the Chronicle of Philanthropy and from Reasonable Volume, Mary Dooe is the producer, Mark Bush is our engineer, and Rachel Swaby and Elise Hu are executive producers. Additional support comes from Margie Fleming Glennon, Andrew Simon, Nick Adams, Krista Niles, Amaya Beltran, and Kyle Johnson.

Two leaders, Kathleen St. Louis Caliento and Nick Grono, join Chronicle CEO Stacy Palmer to explain how they have engaged their board in financial efforts.

St. Louis Caliento runs Cara Collective, a Chicago nonprofit that helps low-income people find jobs. 

Grono heads the Freedom Fund, an organization that pools funds from donors who want to fight modern-day slavery. He’s the author of How to Lead Nonprofits: Turning Purpose into Impact to Change the World, published in 2024.

As nonprofits face economy headwinds — including losses in federal funding, rising costs, and the possibility of a global recession — nonprofit boards play an increasingly essential role. Trustees help with strategy and can also be powerful donors and fundraisers. Yet fewer than a quarter of respondents to a Chronicle survey described their board members as enthusiastic fundraisers.

Grono and St. Louis Caliento share their advice on how to inspire boards to champion your mission and share insights from their shared experience of working with trustees to manage unrestricted, multimillion-dollar grants from MacKenzie Scott.

 Among their key points:

• Ask board members for access to their networks.
• Help the board understand the nonprofit’s work and impact.
• Do an annual check-in.

You can connect with Grono and St. Louis Caliento on LinkedIn.

Further Reading:

“A Really Tough Job: Nonprofit CEOs Work to Make Their Roles More Manageable” by Ben Gose

“How to Create a Culture of Fundraising on Your Board” by Lisa Schohl

“How to Retain Skittish Donors Amid Economic Turbulence” by Rasheeda Childress 

“Show How Your Nonprofit Is Making a Difference: 10 Do’s and Don’ts” by Lisa Schohl

“Funders Should Support Nonprofit Leadership Transitions — Now” by Nick Grono

“Leadership at the Crossroads” by George Anders

We welcome your thoughts on how the Chronicle can better help you engage your board. Write us at connect@philanthropy.com. 

Watch a video version of this episode at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58WhjVvKzbA. And catch up past episodes at https://www.philanthropy.com/podcast/nonprofits-now. 

Nonprofits Now: Leading Today is hosted by Stacy Palmer. It’s produced by Emily Haynes at the Chronicle of Philanthropy and from Reasonable Volume, Mary Dooe is the producer, Mark Bush is our engineer, and Rachel Swaby and Elise Hu are executive producers. Additional support comes from Margie Fleming Glennon, Andrew Simon, Nick Adams, Krista Niles, Amaya Beltran, and Kyle Johnson.

For the latest philanthropy news and analysis, subscribe to the Chronicle at philanthropy.com/subscribe.

Tim Dixon, co-founder of More in Common, joins Chronicle CEO Stacy Palmer to offer research-based strategies leaders can use to bridge divides in the workplace and in their communities. More in Common helps political leaders and social-change movements strengthen their coalitions by including unlikely allies.

Bridging divides is top-of-mind for nonprofit leaders today. Nearly two-thirds of nonprofit executives say the nation’s divisions are making their jobs tougher, according to an exclusive Chronicle of Philanthropy survey.

Dixon shared solutions to overcome entrenched division. Among his key points:

• Coalitions of unlikely partners are a key to success. 
• Leaders must manage divides within their organization — not ignore them.
• Focus on shared values to build consensus. 

You can connect with Dixon on LinkedIn and follow him @dixontim on X. And dig into More in Common’s research here.

Further Reading:

“Born of Political Violence, This Group Helps Nonprofit Causes Find ‘Surprising’ Allies” by Drew Lindsay 

“A Really Tough Job: Nonprofit CEOs Work to Make Their Roles More Manageable” by Ben Gose

“To Hell and Back: Polarization and the Nonprofit” by Ben Gose

“A Polarization Expert on What Nonprofits Need to Do — And Stop Doing” by Chronicle Staff

“‘It’s Hard to Hate Up Close’: Philanthropy, Polarization, and the Art of Conversation” by Eden Stiffman

“Leadership at the Crossroads” by George Anders

We welcome your thoughts on how the Chronicle can better help you bridge divides at your nonprofits. Write us at connect@philanthropy.com. 

You can find a video version of this episode at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QW4KcDyDC5E.

Nonprofits Now: Leading Today is hosted by Stacy Palmer. It’s produced by Emily Haynes at the Chronicle of Philanthropy and from Reasonable Volume, Mary Dooe is the producer, Mark Bush is our engineer, and Rachel Swaby and Elise Hu are executive producers. Additional support comes from Margie Fleming Glennon, Andrew Simon, Nick Adams, Krista Niles, Amaya Beltrán, and Kyle Johnson.

Explore more of our reporting and interviews on navigating society’s divides at philanthropy.com/commons. For the latest philanthropy news and analysis, subscribe to the Chronicle at philanthropy.com/subscribe.

Nonprofit leaders are overworked, struggling to retain top talent, and facing budgetary shortfalls. In Nonprofits Now: Leading Today, host Stacy Palmer interviews innovative leaders who have developed smart solutions to common, tough challenges. The podcast series springs from an exclusive Chronicle of Philanthropy survey that uncovered troubling pain points in nonprofit leadership and a looming threat of leadership turnover. Nonprofits Now: Leading Today offers actionable strategies to address the most urgent challenges leaders face. Palmer and her guests explore proven ways to prevent burnout, manage intergenerational workplaces, hire strong senior teams, and much more. Starting April 15, tune in and turn the tide at your nonprofit.

We here at Nonprofits Now have loved joining the vibrant community of philanthropy podcasters. We'd like to introduce you to our friends at Becoming The Vision, a podcast that believes we must change ourselves to change the world. Join hosts Dr. Chera Reid, Efraín Gutiérrez, and Dr. Trinel Torian as they interview visionaries inside and outside of philanthropy.

In this episode, Chera, Efraín, and Trinel discuss resiliency — both individual and organizational — during times of profound change with ⁠Jim Canales⁠, President and Trustee at ⁠Barr Foundation.⁠

Jim reflects on resiliency in the context of his upcoming transition from president to board chair at Barr, noting that it’s not just about weathering the winds of change, but about learning from past experiences, mistakes, and challenges — and using those lessons to guide how we lead into the future. Among those lessons for senior leadership: knowing when to step forward and when to step back.

Jim and the hosts speak candidly about the dynamics between executives and boards, and the missed opportunities for alignment that arise when boards become an impediment rather than a partner in leadership. For Jim, resiliency means maintaining clarity and continuity around core values, while leaving room for fresh perspectives and new approaches. In fact, Jim and the hosts suggest that organizations can — and must — balance bold, new leadership with a deep commitment to their founding values. It’s a delicate dance, and one that truly resilient institutions are capable of performing.

As both solution and testimony, Jim brings humility and intentionality to the conversation — offering insight into how senior leaders can create the enabling conditions that empower new leadership to thrive, encourage collaboration, and invite meaningful change.

We hope you enjoy this episode.

We love introducing you to meaningful conversations and powerful ideas, and today, we're thrilled to bring you something a little different — a bonus episode from our friends at the Mission Forward podcast. If you haven’t tuned in yet, Mission Forward is all about the people and stories driving social change, and we think you’ll find a lot to love.

In this special episode, host Carrie Fox sits down with Leonard Burton to explore his powerful journey from a Detroit stage play to national leadership in justice, tracing the mentors, moments, and moral clarity that shaped his vision for a more equitable future. It’s a conversation packed with insight, strategy, and heart — just the kind of content we know you value. So settle in and enjoy this special episode of Mission Forward.