As the year draws to a close, nonprofit leaders often find themselves walking a tightrope. Economic uncertainty, political division, and shrinking public trust make it difficult to plan confidently, even for the next quarter, let alone the next five years.

As September arrives, we observe National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness, reducing stigma, and highlighting the critical importance of suicide prevention efforts across our communities.

Nonprofit leaders are facing a persistent challenge: board recruitment. Many CEOs and Executive Directors tell us they’re finding it increasingly difficult to identify and engage new members, especially individuals who reflect the communities they serve.

Engaging board members in meaningful activities that move an organization’s mission forward isn’t always easy. More often than not, the responsibility falls to the Executive Director, a classic case of managing upwards. So, we’re sharing a few practical reminders and strategies that can help your board operate with more clarity, purpose, and energy.

Becoming a community-informed organization requires more than occasional input—it requires a structured, consistent, and strategic approach to listening. Surveys, focus groups, and informal conversations are valuable tools, but they only serve their purpose if the data collected is analyzed thoughtfully and used to inform organizational strategy.

There’s no shortage of tools available to help nonprofit boards operate efficiently - job descriptions, onboarding processes, meeting agendas, performance assessments, and more. At The Nonprofit Strategy Group, we champion these practices.

With so much changing around us, nonprofits can’t just focus on getting by, they need to lead the way. From shifting demographics to new technologies and unpredictable policies, it takes proactive thinking to stay ahead.

The philanthropic landscape is shifting rapidly. With emerging technologies, changing donor behaviors, and looming policy changes, nonprofits must be nimble and proactive to remain resilient and relevant.

In every corner of our sector, people are talking about stress, anxiety, burnout, and isolation. While we might not always call it “mental health,” that’s exactly what it is. And yet, stigma continues to block us from addressing the real challenges—especially in nonprofit spaces where mission-driven work can sometimes come at the expense of our teams' well-being.