At a time when nonprofits across the country are navigating unprecedented financial uncertainty, our President and CEO, Renée Byng Yancey alongside a robust panel helped lead a critical conversation about what it will take to build a more sustainable nonprofit sector.
Panelists included:
- Renée Byng Yancey, President and CEO, Community Foundation for Northern Virginia
- Stephanie Nerantzis, Director of Giving, Claude Moore Charitable Foundation
- Michelle Sullivan, Executive Director, All Ages Read Together
- Payal Martin, SPHR, PHR, SHRM-SCP, Managing Director, Evaluation & Strategy, Brighter Strategies
- Elizabeth Scott, PHD, Moderator, CEO/President, Brighter Strategies
During the Funding the Mission panel, Renée shared findings from our latest report, The State of Nonprofits in Northern Virginia, grounding the discussion in the realities organizations are facing today.
We also explored the Nonprofit Organizational Health Study conducted by Brighter Strategies and Center for Nonprofit Advancement. The data painted a sobering picture:
- 44% of nonprofits reported a decrease in revenue in 2025.
- 48% have less than two months of operating reserves.
- 67% have felt the impact of federal funding shifts.
These statistics set the stage for an honest dialogue between nonprofit leaders and funders about the challenges threatening the sector's stability—and the opportunities to rethink how philanthropy can better support nonprofit success.
One of the most powerful themes to emerge was the vulnerability nonprofit leaders must embrace when communicating with funders. Panelists discussed the potential difficulties of sharing financial struggles, programmatic challenges, and organizational capacity gaps, particularly in a sector where leaders often feel pressure to project strength and stability. The conversation highlighted how creating spaces for transparency can help build stronger partnerships based on trust rather than performance alone.
The discussion also challenged traditional funding models that place heavy emphasis on program-specific investments. The conversation centered around funders adopting a more trust-based philanthropy approach, recognizing that nonprofit leaders are best positioned to determine where resources are most needed to achieve mission impact.
Participants explored the importance of:
- Multi-year funding commitments that allow organizations to plan strategically rather than operate from grant cycle to grant cycle.
- Flexible, unrestricted funding that helps nonprofits respond to emerging community needs and strengthen core operations.
- Funder-nonprofit relationships built on trust, transparency, and shared learning.
By bringing together nonprofit leaders and funders around these issues, the panel helped shift the conversation from simply funding programs to funding organizations—and ultimately, funding impact.
The event reinforced an urgent message: sustainable nonprofit funding is not just about increasing dollars. It is about changing mindsets, empowering nonprofit leaders to be transparent about their realities, and investing in the long-term health of organizations that communities rely on every day.
As the sector continues to navigate economic pressures and changing funding landscapes, conversations like Funding the Mission are helping pave the way toward more resilient nonprofits and stronger communities throughout Northern Virginia.
Watch the Recording:
Call to Action
The conversation doesn't stop here.
If we want stronger nonprofits and stronger communities, we must rethink what sustainable philanthropy looks like. The challenges highlighted during Funding the Mission make it clear that organizations need more than short-term program support—they need trusted partners willing to invest in their long-term resilience and impact.
Whether you are a donor, funder, advisor, professional advisor, or community leader, you have an opportunity to be part of this movement.
Consider how your or your client's philanthropy can create lasting change through legacy giving strategies that strengthen the nonprofit sector for generations to come. By planning your charitable legacy today, you can help ensure that the organizations serving our communities have the resources they need to meet tomorrow's challenges.Partner with Us
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. We invite you to connect with our team to explore charitable giving options, establish a permanent fund, or develop a philanthropic strategy that aligns with your values and creates enduring community impact.
Join us in building a more sustainable future for Northern Virginia. Contact the Community Foundation, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 703-879-7643 to start the conversation about your philanthropic legacy and how you can be part of the solution.
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