It’s impossible to ignore the social and political division that defines this moment in America. The headlines are loud. The rhetoric is sharp. And for many of us - personally and professionally - it can feel exhausting to navigate a world where disagreement so often turns into distrust.
But here’s the truth I keep coming back to: the nonprofit sector has always been a place where common ground matters more than ideology.
Every day, I work alongside nonprofit leaders and teams of diverse faiths and who span the political spectrum, who serve vastly different communities, and who approach problems from different philosophical starting points. And yet, beneath all of that diversity, the shared values are remarkably consistent.
Nonprofits believe that people matter.
Nonprofits believe communities deserve care, dignity, and opportunity.
Nonprofits believe problems are meant to be solved - not ignored.
Those beliefs transcend party lines, election cycles, and policy debates. And they are the reason I remain deeply inspired by this work, even when the broader national climate feels fractured.
The Quiet Consensus Inside the Nonprofit Sector
Nonprofits are often asked to operate in the most complex spaces - where funding is uncertain, needs are growing, and systems are imperfect. Nonprofits step in when government programs fall short, when markets fail to reach everyone, and when communities need trusted local solutions.
What motivates nonprofit leaders is rarely abstract ideology. It’s practical compassion.
It’s the shelter director who just wants fewer families sleeping in their cars.
It’s the rural health organization trying to reach patients who’ve been overlooked for decades.
It’s the youth-serving nonprofit focused on making sure kids feel safe, supported, and seen.
I’ve yet to meet a nonprofit leader whose primary motivation was politics. What drives us all is impact. And that shared focus - on outcomes, not arguments - is a powerful unifier.
That is what keeps me motivated professionally. And, frankly, what keeps me hopeful personally.
Why This Moment Calls for Renewal
Still, inspiration alone isn’t enough. The nonprofit sector is facing real pressures: tighter funding, increased demand, staff burnout, and growing administrative complexity. The work isn’t getting easier - and pretending otherwise doesn’t serve anyone.
Which is why this moment feels like an invitation.
As we move into a new year, nonprofits have an opportunity to recommit not just to mission, but to sustainability. To ask not only what we do, but how we do it - and whether we’re using every available tool to do it well.
That’s where intention becomes action.
New Year Resolutions Worth Making
If you are a longtime member of our community, you know I wax philosophical at the start of every year and this year is no different. I often suggest resolutions for the new year and have been known to write a whole series of ebooks to support them. Here are a few resolutions I believe can help nonprofits stay grounded, effective, and resilient in 2026.
Resolve to protect your mission by protecting your people.
Burnout is not a badge of honor – says the executive who just closed up shop for two weeks because 2025 was TOO MUCH. Sustainable impact requires sustainable teams. This means examining workloads, streamlining processes, and letting go of systems that no longer serve your staff - or your mission.
Resolve to diversify funding and plan proactively.
Uncertainty isn’t new, but it is intensifying. Organizations that weather disruption best are those that plan ahead, understand their funding mix, and stay nimble rather than reactive.
Resolve to work smarter, not harder.
Nonprofits are often asked to do more with less - but that doesn’t mean doing everything manually, inefficiently, or the hard way.
Resolve to learn how to use AI responsibly and strategically.
This one matters more than many organizations realize.
AI is not a replacement for human judgment, empathy, or lived experience. But when used thoughtfully, it can exponentially increase efficiency - especially in areas like grant research, first-draft writing, data analysis, reporting, and internal documentation.
For nonprofits, that means:
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Less time spent staring at blank pages
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Faster turnaround on administrative tasks
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More capacity to focus on strategy, relationships, and impact
Used well, AI doesn’t dilute mission-driven work - it protects it by freeing up human energy for the work only humans can do.
Moving Forward Together
The nonprofit sector has always been a counterbalance to division. We show up, quietly and consistently, to prove what collaboration looks like when the goal is shared good.
Yes, the country feels divided. But inside nonprofits, I see something different: a steady commitment to service, problem-solving, and hope. I see people who disagree on politics but agree on purpose. And that matters.
As we step into a new year, my hope - for myself and for the sector - is that we continue to lean into what unites us. That we stay curious, adaptable, and willing to evolve. And that we embrace tools and strategies that make our work more sustainable, not more exhausting. May 2026 bring you peace, joy, and perseverance.
Because the work nonprofits do is too important - and the people we serve deserve nothing less.