March 2026

Dear Colleague,

April is National Volunteer Month, and if there’s one thing this moment makes clear, it’s how much our work depends on people showing up – for causes, for communities, and for each other. That spirit of service and commitment is what makes it possible to navigate uncertainty with intention.

In this issue are tools and opportunities to support thoughtful decision-making, strengthen your organization’s resilience, and connect with others doing this work alongside you. Because it’s not just about responding to change   it’s about the people and choices that shape what comes next.

It feels like it’s been on repeat: uncertainty is the only certainty right now, as nonprofits continue to contend with shifting policies and funding, increasing community needs, and ongoing questions about how best to sustain mission-driven work in this rapidly changing environment.

Acknowledging this reality and drawing directly from its work with nonprofit leaders navigating this uncertainty in real time, La Piana created the 5S Decision Lens, a practical tool that helps organizations “take a closer look at their programs and ask important questions about where to invest, how collaboration might strengthen impact, and where greater focus may be needed.” From there, leaders can move beyond “wait and see” approaches and make intentional choices about whether to stay steady, build capacity, partner, or scale back to keep mission and impact at the center of decision-making.

That kind of grounded, intentional discussion and strategy is also foundational to our new series, Building Resilient Futures: Leading, Funding, Innovating for Impact, presented in partnership with Duke Energy Foundation. Nonprofit leaders will come together to address the challenges and opportunities we’re facing, share ideas, and build relationships that strengthen our NC communities. The in-person events include a local funders panel and sessions focused on resiliency, leadership development, fundraising, and operational innovation. 

Explore the agendas for each location to learn about funders and session facilitators and join the event closest to you:

AMPLIFY IMPACT! Share your nonprofit’s story so we can help amplify it and highlight the many ways nonprofits show up and 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.

From brief acts of service to long-term commitments, volunteers are an essential part of so many nonprofits and often a significant force behind our work and impact. This National Volunteer Month, we thank and recognize ALL the volunteers!

Especially our Center pro bono volunteers who, over the past year, have shared their time and expertise with 120+ member nonprofits over more than 150 cases. That kind of support doesn’t just solve immediate issues – it builds longer-term capacity. But we’ll let our volunteers speak for themselves!

Tune in to our socials next week for more features on our volunteers for National Volunteer Week!

This culture of service runs deep. According to AmeriCorps latest data, 28% of North Carolinians formally volunteered with organizations in their communities, while 50% gave their time informally by helping neighbors, friends, and family.

As nonprofits, this is both an opportunity and a responsibility. Strong volunteer engagement requires intentional systems to recruit, train, and retain volunteers, and clear ways to measure and celebrate their impact.

It also starts closer to home than we sometimes realize. At a recent staff meeting, our team took a few minutes to share the causes we each support outside of work. The icebreaker was an interesting reminder that nonprofit staff and board members don’t just work in our own organizations – we’re active participants in the broader culture of service that sustains our communities.

From staying compliant with evolving laws to understanding how public policy affects day-to-day operations, nonprofits are constantly navigating both regulatory requirements and the broader policy environment shaping our work. We’ve got your back on both!

Join the Nonprofit Legal Compliance Workshop on April 17 & 24 (tomorrow and next week!) to dive into the common nonprofit legal compliance policies, rules, and issues that govern nonprofits. Part I will cover nonprofit corporate governance, charitable solicitation, fundraising laws, and employment laws. Part II will cover federal and state tax compliance issues, and laws and regulations related to federal and state grants and contracts. CLE credits are available. Register now (bonus: participants get the first look at our revised 2026 Nonprofit Legal Compliance Checklist for NC Nonprofits).

Join the Nonprofit Policy Conversations, hosted with regional partners, to share local insights, ask questions, and discuss 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.

These efforts align with the Center's recently approved 2026 Public Policy Agenda for North Carolina’s Nonprofit Sector. We appreciate the input from nonprofits across the state that informed many of the policy solutions and challenges identified in this year’s agenda. TLDR: check out page 1 for a cheat sheet of our top five state and federal policy priorities.

We’ve partnered with Smart Start so Center members can participate in their preconference session Message to Money: Bridging Fundraising & Communications and learn how to bring fundraising, communications, and board roles into alignment to drive more consistent and sustainable revenue. The session is on May 4 in Greensboro.

Long-time Center partner First Nonprofit is launching FNPadvantage, a new savings program for nonprofits to get discounts, preferred pricing, and exclusive cost-savings across multiple supplies and services – from food, office supplies, and energy to technology, professional services, and more. Center members are invited to learn more during their May 13 info session.

We’ve partnered with NCACPA so Center members can attend the 2026 Not-For-Profit Conference at their member rates. The 2-day event offers networking and sessions on auditing and accounting, tax, technology, and other critical not-for-profit issues to help participants expand skills, forge meaningful connections, and stay at the forefront of the sector. The conference is June 9-10 in Chapel Hill.

Through our partnership with Marsh McLennan and Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC, nonprofits have options to offer health insurance, among a menu of other benefits and coverage for their employees, through our Association Health Plan. Join the (free) information session on May 15 to get more details and answers to your questions. You can also fill out an interest form for more personal follow up.

Each year, our nonprofit community comes together to reflect, reconnect, and help shape what’s next. Registration is open for all current Center members to join us for the 4^th Annual Center Member Meeting on April 20 at 10 am to discuss highlights from our Annual Report and key insights from our Member Survey, along with updates on how your feedback is shaping our work.

Sarah Mikhail from Time Out Youth, Dr. Keisha B. Spivey from Awaken Church and Ripple Effects Group, and Laura Zapater from Centro Unido Latino Americano will join us for a panel discussion on Navigating the Moment: Leadership in Today’s Nonprofit Landscape and share how their organizations are adapting, engaging their boards and donors, and sustaining themselves and their teams during this challenging time.

Member Benefit: Don’t miss out on the timely discussion on Navigating the Moment – join now during our 35^th anniversary celebration to get $35 off your membership (with code 35OFF) and unlock registration for the April 20 gathering!

CALLING POTENTIAL BOARD MEMBERS: Nominations are open for the Center’ board of directors. Learn more and nominate yourself or another community member by April 30.

Member Benefit: Members have access our full archive of webinar recordings. Visit the Resource Library and filter ‘Publication Type’ by ‘Webinar’. Viola!

We appreciate the support of these businesses with new and renewed listings in Business Finder, our online directory of businesses and consultants that work specifically with nonprofits.

Elite IT Solutions, LLC

LuzFutura, LLC

Tax990

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.

Bella's Backpacks

Boston Terrier Rescue of North Carolina

Discover Together Foundation

Flat Rock Park Foundation

Friends of Ellerbe Creek

Going Beyond the Pink

Heart on Fire Support Network

Miles to Go Kitten Rehab

National Society of the Colonial Dames of America - North Carolina

National Technical Honor Society

Neohumanist College of Asheville

North Carolina Economic Development Association (NCEDA) Foundation

Raleigh Camerata

Through the Trees

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 35^th anniversary celebration and use discount code 35OFF to save $35 off your membership!

Nonprofit Connections is the monthly newsletter of nonprofit news, trends, and resources to support all nonprofits and their missions.
©2026 North Carolina Center for Nonprofits

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