Meeting the Moment: 2025 in Review — October 29
From sweeping federal funding cuts to widespread economic and market impacts of tariffs, nonprofits and funders alike are facing a new set of challenges and opportunities. While giving is up by over 6% per recent Giving USA data, cuts to federal funding, increased demand for services, and policy shifts are placing added strain on the nonprofit staff and board leaders.
These shifts present ideal timing to assess nonprofit financial practices. While nonprofit program and development teams are working to meet the needs of community and fundraising goals, finance and operation leaders can focus on streamlining budgeting practices, assess spending policies, and maximize investments to help stabilize and grow the mission.
- Hear from Marisa Swystun, National Director of Foundation and Institutional Advisory, on specific tools and strategies to support organizational resilience through change management, potential restructuring, and doing “more with less.”
- With insights from Bernstein’s new research piece created in partnership with Indiana University’s Lilly School of Philanthropy, this session is designed to help funders and nonprofit leaders to position themselves to help their communities.
- Hear from your peers on what has been working for them, lessons to be learnt, and action items to take back to your team.
This is a valuable opportunity for CEOs, CFOs, CDOs, and Board Members to come together, learn, share, and equip themselves with the knowledge and strategies to be as impactful as possible as we head into the end of 2025.
Nonprofit Forum — May 20
Please view the agenda here.
2025 Outlook for Fiduciaries and Philanthropists – February 5
Driving your organization’s success requires investing in your most important resource—your people
What’s in store for the nonprofit and philanthropic sector in the year ahead and how are we advising fiduciaries and funders? Join us for an exclusive in-person session tailored for board and executive-level social sector leaders and their philanthropic supporters.
Gain insights on:
- addressing vital questions about the incoming administration;
- understanding the impacts of economic growth, deregulation, federal funding shifts, and policy proposals;
- identifying and quantifying key financial risks, and realigning cash reserves if necessary;
- enhancing stakeholder engagement and forging partnerships between funders and nonprofits to “bridge the gaps”;
- forecasting the long-term effects of current spending and asset allocation decisions.
2024
Investing in Your People: Helping Nonprofits Optimize, Recruit, and Retain Their Talent — November 12
Driving your organization’s success requires investing in your most important resource—your people.
Join us for a breakfast panel and conversation where we’ll explore the importance of recruiting and retaining staff with varied skill sets, perspectives, and life experience, and establishing a culture that includes and retains staff, providing them with long-term financial wellness, particularly when considering the organization’s sustainability in an uncertain economic environment.
We’ll explore these key issues impacting nonprofit organizations and leaders, discuss the top concerns in this space, and open the floor to questions regarding overall benefits.
Our fireside chat will include the following industry experts:
• Dr. Tochukwu (Tee) Okasi-Nwozo—Chief Human Capital Officer at DC Central Kitchen
• Rebecca Maltzman—Chief Talent Officer at KIPP DC
• Halley Love—SVP, Head of Bernstein’s Defined Contribution Advisory Practice
• Jordan Forney—Principal, Wealth Advisor at Bernstein Private Wealth Management
Nonprofit Forum — May 8
A half-day program was held at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library with an opening discussion on expanding your philanthropic toolkit, breakout sessions with professional partners to explore legal and financial challenges and opportunities, and a panel of nonprofit leaders who are successfully navigating their organizations and preparing for the future.
Please find more information about the event agenda and speakers here.
Strategize and Thrive in 2024 — February 14
Following a volatile year, what should finance and investment committees be focused on to ensure a successful 2024? Nonprofit organizations face a formidable task: developing and implementing strategies to financially support your mission both today and in the future. How are the economy and capital markets impacting the philanthropic landscape? And which fundraising strategies and planned giving vehicles may offer particular promise as a result?
Some of the questions and concerns we will address include:
• What is the economic outlook this year, given inflation and high interest rates?
• How should we be thinking about our reserves and cash management in a volatile environment?
• What will fundraising look like with this backdrop?
• How can nonprofit organizations address turnover and ensure they are investing in their people to the best of their ability?
• How can automation cut costs and bring about efficiencies?
Clare Golla, CFP®
National Managing Director, Philanthropic Services
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