Nonprofit Leadership

Leading with Purpose. Innovating with Equity.

When nonprofits face systemic challenges, we've got their backs.

NPQ fights for a multiracial democracy grounded in human rights, racial equity, and thriving communities.

But we can’t do it without you. ([link removed])

Will you help fuel this work?

Every dollar counts.
Give Today ([link removed])

[link removed]


** The Giving Didn’t Stop
------------------------------------------------------------

December 16, 2025

Dear Readers,

As 2025 wraps up as the clear candidate for worst year for the nonprofit sector in recent memory, the news isn’t all bad.

This year’s GivingTuesday showed that overall philanthropic giving, including from small grassroots donors, remains strong. People like and trust nonprofits and want to support them. That’s good news.

In other good news, some philanthropic organizations, like the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (of which NPQ is a grantee), are standing up to attacks by the Trump administration and its allies in Congress against not just the boogeyman of “DEI” but, really, against the work of promoting equity and justice at all.

Philanthropic leaders Richard Besser and Carmen Rojas emphasize that philanthropy can and should deepen their role in the current moment, a societal inflection point profound enough to be considered our Third Reconstruction ([link removed]) .

Then, as we wrap up budget season, we share thinking by Celina Su about the importance and growing prominence of “people’s budgets,” otherwise known as participatory budgeting. And Ana Valéria Araújo emphasizes the need for direct community funding and the power of community control over philanthropic funds in the global South.

As always, we love to hear from you. Email me at [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) .

Isaiah Thompson

Editor

Leadership


Sponsored Content

Leading the Way in Nonprofit Fundraising ([link removed])

For nearly 80 years, CCS Fundraising has partnered with nonprofits to unlock potential, exceed goals, and create long-lasting impact through expert, data-driven consulting.

Explore our work ([link removed])


** Must-Read Articles
------------------------------------------------------------
[link removed]

Making Sense of GivingTuesday 2025

by Isaiah Thompson

Since 2012, GivingTuesday has become a key annual fundraising event for nonprofits. So, how did the sector fare in 2025?
Read Article ([link removed])
[link removed]

A Move to Fund the Fight for Health Equity in the Trump Era

by Isaiah Thompson

Recently, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) announced new funding to help nonprofits advancing health equity in the United States not just defend against attacks from the White House and Congress, but also to challenge these punitive policies in court.
Read Article ([link removed])
[link removed]

Four Ways Philanthropy Can Support the Movement for a Third Reconstruction

by Richard Besser and Carmen Rojas

Foundations can play an important role in helping movements not only survive but thrive. But doing so requires a shift in mindset—and accountability to the public good.
Read Article ([link removed])
[link removed]

How People’s Budgets Advance Local Democracy: A Conversation with Celina Su

by Steve Dubb and Celina Su

“Grassroots groups in these cities articulate [participatory budgeting] as a way for citizens to become engaged in larger struggles for budget justice.”
Read Article ([link removed])
[link removed]

The Power of Direct Community Funding

by Ana Valéria Araújo

“The questions of funding, safety, democracy promotion, and community control in the Global South cannot be understood in isolation from one another. Who writes the checks, in short, is not the only factor to consider. But having direct community control of philanthropy is important.”
Read Article ([link removed])

Sponsored Content

Build a Nonprofit Board that Leads ([link removed])

Nonprofit success requires strategy, foresight, and strong governance beyond mission alignment. We’ve outlined five actionable ways your board can lead with impact.

Read the Article ([link removed])


** Check out our upcoming webinars.
------------------------------------------------------------


**
------------------------------------------------------------

As a Leading Edge member, you get exclusive access to all our upcoming webinars—deep dives into the issues that matter, led by movement leaders and experts.
[link removed]
[link removed]
Become a Member ([link removed])
[link removed]
[link removed]
[link removed]

Sponsored Content

The 2025 Nonprofit Trends Report ([link removed])

Get your report on the challenges facing global nonprofits, and what they’re doing to overcome them.

Get the report ([link removed])

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.

Copyright (C) 2025. All rights reserved.

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences ([link removed]) or unsubscribe ([link removed])