Nonprofits are facing a series of financial hits — or bracing for them. Federal spending cuts have already forced many organizations to trim programs and lay off workers — and with policymakers considering more far-reaching reductions, additional austerity is likely. Meanwhile, the growing possibility of a recession could spell trouble for nonprofits that depend on foundations, corporations, and individuals for support.

To help organizations navigate this period, Chronicle CEO Stacy Palmer turned to two leaders.

Aisha Benson, head of the Nonprofit Finance Fund, offers advice based on nearly three decades working with organizations on a broad range of fiscal matters. Myal Greene leads World Relief, which provides humanitarian aid around the world — and runs refugee resettlement programs in the United States. It relies on support from the federal government as well as private donors, and faced nearly immediate cuts when President Trump took office in January.

Among Benson and Greene’s recommendations:

• Do a cash flow analysis and prepare for different scenarios.
• Reach out to grant makers and other donors.
• Advocacy matters.
• Get legal advice and watch for misinformation.
• The past is not a perfect guided for today’s challenges.

Connect with Benson and Greene on LinkedIn.

Further resources:

• "Facing Federal Defunding, Nonprofits Draft Best and Worst Case Budgets" by Eden Stiffman
• "How to Lead Well in Uncertain Times" By Lisa Schohl
• "6 Ways Nonprofit Leaders Can Boost Morale in Chaotic Times" by Rasheeda Childress
• "7 Ways to Earn Foundations’ Trust and Win General Operating Support" by M.J. Prest
• "Know Your Rights: How Much Can Tax-Exempt Groups Speak Out?" by Roger Colinvoux
• "How to Retain Skittish Donors Amid the Economic Turbulence" by Rasheeda Childress
• "Fundamentals for Nonprofits" by the Nonprofit Finance Fund
• "Leadership at the Crossroads" by George Anders

Nonprofits Now: Leading Today is hosted by Stacy Palmer. It’s produced by Emily Haynes at the Chronicle of Philanthropy and from Reasonable Volume, Mary Dooe is the producer, Mark Bush is our engineer, and Rachel Swaby and Elise Hu are executive producers. Additional support comes from Margie Fleming Glennon, Andrew Simon, Nick Adams, Krista Niles, Amaya Beltran, and Kyle Johnson.

For the latest philanthropy news and analysis, subscribe to the Chronicle at philanthropy.com/subscribe

With the prospect of an economic downturn looming ― and the number of nonprofit layoffs on the rise ― many leaders are coping with a jittery workforce and new pressures to keep staff members motivated.

These new developments come on top of one of the most challenging staff recruitment landscapes in recent memory, after the Covid pandemic changed how and where work gets done.

In search of solutions, Chronicle CEO Stacy Palmer talked to two leaders who have found ways to attract and retain outstanding employees.

Jordan Shenker is CEO of the Peninsula Jewish Community Center, in Foster City, California, and Keena Friday is COO of the Association of Infant Mental Health in Tennessee.

Among their suggestions:

• Don’t rush to fill open positions.
• Salary isn’t the only lure.
• Remote work options matter.
• As the economy and federal policy shift, communicate what you know as often as possible.

Connect with Friday and Shenker on LinkedIn.

Further Reading:

• “6 Ways Nonprofit Leaders Can Boost Morale in Chaotic Time” by Rasheeda Childress
• “How to Lead Well in Uncertain Times” by Lisa Schohl
• “For Nonprofits, Remote Work Offers a Competitive Edge” by Eden Stiffman
• “How to Attract Employees — Simple Strategies Work Better Than New Benefits” by Ben Gose
• “Leaders’ Advice for Other Leaders” by Ben Gose
• “Smart Ways to Show You’re Ready for a Promotion — and a Few Things to Avoid” by Lisa Schohl
• “How to Manage Up — and Reach Your Career Goals” by Lisa Schohl
• “Q&A: Bad Bosses, Big Dreams, and Broken Philanthropy” by Nandita Raghuram
• “A Really Tough Job: Nonprofit CEOs Work to Make Their Roles More Manageable” by Ben Gose
• “Leadership at the Crossroads” by George Anders

We welcome your thoughts on how the Chronicle can help you build your leadership superpowers. Write us at connect@philanthropy.com.

Nonprofits Now: Leading Today is hosted by Stacy Palmer. It’s produced by Emily Haynes at the Chronicle of Philanthropy and from Reasonable Volume, Mary Dooe is the producer, Mark Bush is our engineer, and Rachel Swaby and Elise Hu are executive producers. Additional support comes from Margie Fleming Glennon, Andrew Simon, Nick Adams, Krista Niles, Amaya Beltran, and Kyle Johnson.

For the latest philanthropy news and analysis, subscribe to the Chronicle at philanthropy.com/subscribe

As nonprofit leaders grapple with increasingly dire threats to their funding and missions, it’s more important than ever to understand what it takes to lead resilient organizations.

For a look at what skills are most important, we hear from Vanessa Priya Daniel, who interviewed 45 social-justice leaders for her new book, Unrig the Game: What Women of Color Can Teach Everyone About Winning.

Daniel combines her extensive research for the book with her own experiences as an organizer and founder of Groundswell Fund and Groundswell Action Fund — which together have distributed more than $100 million to over 200 organizations led by women of color and transgender people.

In a conversation with Chronicle CEO Stacy Palmer, Daniel says her interviews led her to identify three all successful change agents possessed:

• Bold ideas. Incremental solutions don’t add up to enough to solve the tremendous challenges of today and tomorrow.
• Generosity. Daniel says an “ethos of rising by lifting others” is what makes the women she interviewed successful.
• 360-degree vision. There’s never just one cause of a problem that’s complex and worth solving.

Connect with Daniel on LinkedIn.

Further Reading:

• "Open Your Tent for Supporters Wide, Says Leader of Progressive Group" by Nicole Wallace
• "Opinion: White Philanthropy, Here's How to Guarantee Real Change Happens" by Edgar Villanueva and Vanessa Daniel
• "Opinion: A Post-Affirmative Action World Demands More — Not Less — Funding for Black Leaders" by Cora Daniels
• "Opinion: Women Leaders of Color Are Exhausted. Philanthropy Needs to Step Up." by Sayu Bhojwani
• "The Challenges of Being a Woman Leader of Color at a Nonprofit" by Jim Rendon
• "Funders Should Support Nonprofit Leadership Transitions — Now" by Nick Grono
• "Leadership at the Crossroads" by George Anders
• "A Really Tough Job: Nonprofit CEOs Work to Make Their Roles More Manageable" by Ben Gose

We welcome your thoughts on how the Chronicle can help you build your leadership superpowers. Write us at connect@philanthropy.com.

Nonprofits Now: Leading Today is hosted by Stacy Palmer. It’s produced by Emily Haynes at the Chronicle of Philanthropy and from Reasonable Volume, Mary Dooe is the producer, Mark Bush is our engineer, and Rachel Swaby and Elise Hu are executive producers. Additional support comes from Margie Fleming Glennon, Andrew Simon, Nick Adams, Krista Niles, Amaya Beltran, and Kyle Johnson.

For the latest philanthropy news and analysis, subscribe to the Chronicle at philanthropy.com/su