Greetings readers,

Once again, I find myself presented with the question: What to say?

I am inclined today to consider the wisdom of Ghandi: “Speak only if it improves upon the silence.” At the same time, our mission is to inform—to speak.

As you all grapple, within your organizations and within your private lives, with the implications of the 2024 election, please know that NPQ will be grappling with you. We know that the civil and nonprofit sectors will be the front line of fighting for justice and against the ongoing challenges and those yet to come to our institutions and our very notions of morality as a country. Our job is—and will continue to be—covering this struggle and bringing our readers the news, context, and analysis they require to move forward in their critical work. 

With that, this week’s newsletter looks at challenges to the nonprofit sector and ways of moving forward. First, a new report from Building Movement Project is raising alarms over mounting pushback—from legal attacks to the cutting of funding—to nonprofits taking on “controversial” work, from DEI to advocating for Gazans to protecting LGBTQ+ communities. Then, we dip into the NPQ archives to look at two pieces that are as timely as ever: the first on why nonprofits should do more to engage in advocacy and the second on how nonprofits can effectively advocate for policies. 

Finally, because financial security should always be a priority, especially now, we invite you to attend our upcoming webinar on how to build a budget efficiently and equitably.

I always conclude my newsletter with a call for pitches, but today, I’d like to make a broader request: If our coverage matters to you, please don’t be shy in letting us know what we can do better. You can reach me directly at [email protected].

And please take care of yourself and those around you. 

—Isaiah Thompson, Leadership Editor, NPQ