Dear Colleague,
There's a lot to manage right now. But nonprofits keep showing up, adapting as you go, and staying grounded in your missions and communities. We see you stepping up to lead – your organizations as well as the sector – connect with others who also get what this moment feels like, and push for changes that benefit all.
That’s the thread running through this issue: meeting the moment (to use the cliché) with flexibility, a clear sense of purpose, and support from one another. We're not doing it alone – we're learning, sharing, and moving forward together, one step at a time. |
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Nonprofit leaders across North Carolina are coming together to navigate challenges, share ideas, and strengthen their collective impact.
Join us as we host Building Resilient Futures: Leading, Funding, Innovating for Impact, in-person events across the state in partnership with Duke Energy Foundation, to address the challenges and opportunities nonprofits are facing today and share ideas and strategies for nonprofit resiliency, leadership development, fundraising, and operational innovation. Key stops include:
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- Asheville | April 30
- Wilmington | May 20
- Greensboro | June 3
- Charlotte | TBD
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Save the dates and stay tuned for details on speakers and sessions. Registration opens soon. | |
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Uncertainty may be the only thing we can count on right now. Our CEO, Ivan Canada, was recently part of a regional panel of nonprofit leaders that underscored this reality and talked about what organizations truly need to thrive in today’s challenges. They shared frontline insights on navigating financial volatility, policy changes, workforce burnout, and the value of collaboration, along with tips on diversifying funding, strengthening advocacy, and investing in people. Listen to the conversation on the Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership podcast.
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Here are more ways to meet these uncertain moments. |
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Explore Resources to Navigate Uncertainty for guidance and updates to help you and your nonprofit prepare, plan, and stay grounded.
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Understand the federal and state laws and regulations that nonprofits must comply with – especially as they’re evolving. Register for our 2-part, virtual Nonprofit Legal Compliance Workshop on April 17 & 24 to go in-depth on common nonprofit legal compliance policies, rules, and issues that affect nonprofits. CLE credits available.
- Join us and partner Duke Energy Foundation this spring for the Building Resilient Futures series of in-person events across the state focused on nonprofit resiliency, leadership development, fundraising, and operational innovation. (See the announcement above.)
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Share your nonprofit’s story so we can help amplify it and highlight the many ways nonprofits strengthen our communities as part of the national Nonprofits Get It Done campaign, led by the National Council of Nonprofits. You can also use templates and guides from the shared toolkit to join in the campaign.
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Member Benefit: What better way to strategize and prep than to talk among nonprofit peers that get the current climate and the work we’re all doing within it. Join the Center’s Slack Community to meet up, chat, vent, learn, and otherwise connect.
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At a time when the policy landscape is shifting quickly, it’s critical for nonprofits to name the challenges, share what we’re seeing in our communities, and address these issues collectively. The Nonprofit Policy Conversations we’re hosting with regional partners around the state are an opportunity to do just that. |
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At each gathering, the Center’s VP of Public Policy and Advocacy David Heinen will lead the discussion on key policy developments including: federal grant disruptions, election-related rules for 501(c)(3)s, challenges to DEI programs and policies, implications of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, and updates on the state budget and major state policy issues affecting nonprofits this year.
Register for the Nonprofit Policy Conversations closest to you (check back regularly as additional dates and locations are confirmed): |
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Western NC: Join us and partner WNC Nonprofit Pathways on March 23 from 10 am-12 pm at A-B Tech in Asheville.
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Charlotte: Join us and partner Foundation For The Carolinas on April 27 from 10 am-12 pm at Foundation For The Carolinas in Charlotte.
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Fayetteville: Join us and partner Cumberland Community Foundation on May 11 from 10 am-12 pm at Cumberland Community Foundation in Fayetteville.
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| Onboarding is more than a checklist. It’s an opportunity to begin building leadership.
From staff orientation to board engagement, how you bring people into your organization shapes how they show up, lead, and contribute long-term. And continuing to invest in leadership development – for interns, staff, and board members alike – leads to better decision-making, stronger governance, and greater impact.
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That includes equipping your board members to understand and fulfill their fiduciary responsibilities. This eCIO article hones in on nonprofit investment programs, highlighting steps like forming an oversight committee, finding qualified advisors, and tracking performance over time.
Go even deeper during the March 26 webinar on Building a Strong Nonprofit Investment Strategy and explore how boards can strengthen investment oversight and steward resources to align with your mission. |
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There are still seats open for the Nonprofit Management Institute. This six-week learning cohort from April 7-May 12 is designed support nonprofit leaders as you assess your organization’s management strengths and challenges, and build solid practices and strategies in key areas including board governance, fundraising, financial management, human resources, program design and evaluation, and strategic planning.
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The cohort is a welcoming space for seasoned nonprofit leaders, new nonprofit professionals, and those looking for work or volunteer roles within nonprofits to build skills and leadership while connecting with nonprofit peers. See how the experience has helped past participants grow and lead. Register by March 31.
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Member Benefit: Center Members save $200 on registration for the Nonprofit Management Institute! Join now during our 35th anniversary celebration to get $35 off your membership (with code 35OFF) plus the NPMI member rate.
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As the Center celebrates 35 years of supporting North Carolina’s nonprofits, we’re taking a look back at some of the milestones, memorable moments, and faces that have shaped our journey. Did you know…
Founder and first Executive Director Jane Kendall conceived of the Center sitting at her kitchen table. |
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Inspired by conversations with nonprofit leaders across the U.S. – and even some abroad – she realized that nonprofits needed a strong support system of their own. That idea came to life on October 2, 1990, when the North Carolina Center for Nonprofit Organizations, Inc. was officially incorporated.
Over the next few years, Jane spoke with more than 2,150 nonprofit, foundation, and business leaders from all 100 NC counties to shape the Center’s priorities. 35 years later, our mission to educate, connect, and advocate for North Carolina’s nonprofits continues to guide our work. |
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Save the date for the 4th Annual Center Member Meeting! Monday, April 20 | 10:00–11:30 AM | Virtual (Zoom) |
Each year, our nonprofit community comes together to reflect, reconnect, and help shape what’s next. This year, we’ll discuss highlights from our Annual Report and key insights from our Member Survey, along with updates on how your feedback is shaping our work. Plus, a panel discussion on Navigating the Moment: Leadership in Today’s Nonprofit Landscape with leaders across the sector sharing how they’re adapting their organizations, engaging their boards and donors, and sustaining themselves and their teams during this challenging time.
Registration opens March 20 – save the date and plan to join us! |
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Upcoming Training & Events
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WNC Nonprofit Policy Conversation, March 23
- Create Good Conference, March 25-26
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Building A Strong Nonprofit Investment Strategy: A Board Member's Guide to Investment Oversight and Fiduciary Responsibility, March 26
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Re(Human)ized Resources: Equitable Performance & Talent Development, April 1
- Nonprofit Management Institute (6-week cohort), April 7-May 12
- Re(Human)ized Resources: Compensation, Recognition & Retention, April 15
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Leadership as Culture Creation, April 16
- Nonprofit Legal Compliance Workshop, April 17 & 24
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2026 Annual Member Meeting, April 20
- Balancing Act: FMLA, ADA & Workers’ Compensation – What Nonprofit Leaders Need to Know, April 23
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Charlotte Nonprofit Policy Conversation, April 27
- Re(Human)ized Resources: Leading Change & Building Equity-Centered Culture, April 29
- Building Resilient Futures: Leading, Funding, Innovating for Impact, Asheville, April 30
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Building Resilient Futures: Leading, Funding, Innovating for Impact, Wilmington, May 20
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Building Resilient Futures: Leading, Funding, Innovating for Impact, Colfax, June 3
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AI Certification for Nonprofit Leaders (on-demand, 12-session course)
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The Ultimate Grant Proposal Blueprint: Your Step-by-Step Roadmap and Build-It-Yourself Toolkit for Crafting an A+ Proposal (on-demand, 8-session course)
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The Trainer Academy (on-demand, 16-session course)
- Bookmark the Nonprofit Calendar for ongoing training and events
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ALERT! We’ve been alerted of scam emails claiming that hotel reservations for our annual conference are almost full and promoting a link to reserve now. These messages may look legitimate but are not from the Center. Please do not click any links or respond. If you receive a suspicious message and aren’t sure if it’s real, contact our team directly to verify. We'll announce more details about our 2026 Conference, including hotel accommodations, this summer. In the meantime, thanks for your vigilance.
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Powering Nonprofits: Spotlight on Our Sustainers
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Thank you to the incredible businesses driving impact across North Carolina’s nonprofit sector. Our Business Sustainers not only invest in the strength, resilience, and reach of nonprofits statewide, but also fuel valuable training, bold advocacy efforts, and coaching that help nonprofits thrive.
In return, they gain exclusive visibility, connections, and engagement opportunities through Business Finder listings, newsletter features, discounts, and pro bono volunteer pathways.
This month, we proudly recognize CT Wilson Construction Co., Inc. and LaFemina & Co. |
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We also appreciate the support of these businesses with new listings in Business Finder, our online directory of businesses and consultants that work specifically with nonprofits. |
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We appreciate the members of our growing nonprofit network. Your support and partnership make it possible for us to educate, connect, and advocate for and with nonprofits across North Carolina. |
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Not a Member? If you're like many nonprofit leaders, you’re committed to your mission but often pulled in a dozen directions with limited resources. We get it. That's why we provide trusted guidance, tools, and support tailored to the challenges nonprofits face – so that you can lead with confidence and create lasting impact in your community. JOIN NOW during our 35th anniversary celebration and use discount code 35OFF to save $35 off your membership!
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