Nonprofit Leadership
Leading with Purpose. Innovating with Equity.
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** The Nonprofit Sector Is Organizing
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October 21, 2025
Dear Readers,
A heartfelt hello! I’m back from paternity leave and ready, though a bit daunted, to rejoin my colleagues in covering our crucial sector in a time of unprecedented threats.
In recent weeks, the Trump administration has escalated attacks on nonprofits whose missions run afoul of the administration’s ideological goals. At stake is not only the survival of these crucial nonprofits—from watchdog groups to human rights advocates to organizations fighting for racial and gender justice—but the ability of any of us in the sector to exercise our constitutional right to free expression.
Meanwhile, federal funding to even the most politically innocuous nonprofits continues to be slashed, as demonstrated by a recent report by the Urban Institute ([link removed]) that found that fully one-third of US nonprofits saw funding disruptions so far in 2025.
But just as we document the adversity facing our sector, we also seek to lift up and convey to you readers the many brave acts of resistance and organization taking place. Just a few weeks ago, more than 3,000 nonprofits signed an open letter ([link removed]) condemning a recent White House memorandum that purports to counter “domestic terrorism and organized political violence” by targeting progressive nonprofits. Over 100 progressive philanthropies, meanwhile, have joined forces ([link removed]) to resist attacks on nonprofits. And the National Council of Nonprofits has launched its Nonprofit Resilience Fund ([link removed]) to support the health and safety of the whole sector.
This week’s Leadership newsletter highlights some of our recent reporting on how we can continue to build solidarity, power, and new visions for the sector. As always, we love hearing back from you. Email me at
[email protected] (mailto:
[email protected]) .
Isaiah Thompson
Leadership Editor
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** Must-Read Articles
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Reinvigorating the Nonprofit Sector: A Conversation with Vu Le
by Steve Dubb and Vu Le
The nonprofit sector is in a rut and it needs to change. This includes replacing “best practices” with liberatory practices and centering equity in the work.
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[link removed]
How Justice-Rooted Organizations Can Respond to the Racial Justice and Equity Backlash
by Kelly Frances Bates, Esq. with contributor Fiona Kanagasingam
Justice-rooted organizations must resist the growing political backlash to DEI by assessing risk, building collective power, and sustaining courageous action.
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Time for Nonprofits to Generate Their Own Revenue for Political Power
by Tom Tresser
Nonprofits have long underinvested in political lobbying. For arts and culture organizations selling tickets to customers, a $1 “advocacy” fee could be a steady funding mechanism to build political power.
Read Article ([link removed])
[link removed]
How to Help International Nonprofits, Including the Mexican Nonprofits That Came to Texas’s Aid
by Cinnamon Janzer
When tragedy struck Texas last summer, volunteers from Mexican nonprofits came to help. Here’s how to support them and other nonprofits around the globe.
Read Article ([link removed])
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Nonprofit Leadership offers timely civic news, equity-centered insights, and innovative frameworks for leaders building a just and thriving civil society. This newsletter delivers field wisdom, leadership strategies, and practical tools to help you lead with intention and create sustainable impact in your organization and community.
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