Dear Subscriber,
For the past few weeks, Chronicle reporters have been talking to scores of people throughout the nonprofit world to better understand the forces that will shape the year ahead.
They distilled what they learned into our January issue, posted online today. Throughout the issue, you’ll find articles that are packed with insights to help you and your colleagues better understand what’s next — in leadership, fundraising, grant making, technology, and so much more.
Among the topics they explore:
Sara Herschander examines what it will take for A.I. to supercharge productivity for an overworked nonprofit work force. And she offers sober advice about the risks involved in using the technology in ways that could harm the most vulnerable.
Drew Lindsay surveys how donor-advised funds are changing philanthropy, showing up in new forms — from gift registries to impact investing to donor collaboratives — and igniting a campaign to push Congress to pass bold regulations after a milder effort failed to gain momentum.
Alex Daniels looks at the impact of lawsuits nationwide that are targeting philanthropic efforts to aid people of color — and, in another article, takes a deep dive into the question of whether foundation efforts to ease restrictions are enabling nonprofits to achieve greater impact.
Rasheeda Childress asks whether the decline in giving by everyday Americans has reached a point of no return. The answer, she says, depends on whether organizations take seriously the need to strengthen ties to existing donors and court the networks of their loyal supporters.
Jim Rendon forecasts a continuation of the struggle to attract and retain nonprofit workers — and reports on the ways nonprofits are fighting back, such as offering more paid time off and urging governments to take steps that would help organizations pay employees more. And he notes that some grant makers are also pitching in, especially to stem the widespread nonprofit CEO exodus: The Women’s Foundation of Minnesota now offers grants to help overworked and underpaid leaders find ways to take a break and rejuvenate.
