September 30, 2025
The nonprofit sector’s relationship with political power has never been more complex—or more consequential. As recent developments underscore the vulnerability of progressive organizations to government scrutiny, fundamental questions emerge about how the sector can effectively advocate for change while protecting its independence and mission integrity.
Tom Tresser’s provocative call for a nonprofit version of the Powell Memo speaks directly to this challenge. Five decades ago, corporate America organized strategically to counter what it perceived as growing threats from civil rights and labor movements. Today’s nonprofit leaders face their own moment of reckoning, one that may require similar coordination and strategic thinking to defend democratic values and the communities they serve.
The regulatory landscape adds another layer of complexity. Ann Lehman’s examination of the Johnson Amendment reveals a paradox at the heart of nonprofit advocacy: the very rules designed to protect organizations from political interference may also constrain their ability to engage meaningfully in the democratic process. This tension becomes particularly acute when political forces target the sector itself.
Yet effective advocacy requires more than regulatory navigation—it demands sustained relationship-building and strategic communication. Rhea Wong’s insights on cultivating major donor relationships across different personality types offer practical guidance for maintaining the financial partnerships that enable advocacy work.
Meanwhile, on the frontlines of information integrity, Chinese American organizations are pioneering approaches to combat disinformation, as Piyaoba details—work that exemplifies how nonprofits can shape public discourse and democratic participation within their communities.
In solidarity,
Coty Poynter
Managing Editor
