In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the philanthropic community recognized the critical need to respond with fierce urgency to support nonprofit partners. Over 800 organizations pledged to ease or eliminate restrictions on grants and reduce what is asked of grantees, aiming to support to move essential work forward. Since then, nonprofit partners have pivoted, stretched, and adapted to meet increased demand for services, unpredictable environments, and an unknown future.
As we enter the third year of the pandemic, there is evidence that health, economic, and social turmoil has the nonprofit sector nearing exhaustion and burnout. Foundations have an important role to play in improving their ways of operating to better support nonprofit leaders and organizations.
According to the Center for Effective Philanthropy, two-thirds of Foundations surveyed increased the flexibility and amount of their grantmaking budget in response to the pandemic. However, flexibility is not enough to meet the crisis and raises questions about how philanthropy can become a more trusted partner in supporting nonprofits and advancing the greater good.
Join this call to hear from field leaders who are working to strengthen the resiliency and sustainability of the nonprofit sector.
Joining moderator Kathleen Enright are panelists:
- Robert Joseph, Vice President of Programs, Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund
- Meera Chary, Partner, Bridgespan Group
- Lauren Kugler Executive Director, Community Foundation of the Gunnison Valley