Dear Colleague,

At the heart of the work we do are the people we learn from, lean on, and work alongside every day. This month, we’re looking at how those relationships shape the way we lead, support one another, share knowledge, and advocate for our communities – and how we can strengthen those connections to do our best work together.

In our organizations, relationships are infrastructure. Board chairs and executive directors navigate strategy and accountability together. Supervisors support staff, often through heavy workloads and limited resources. Fundraisers build trust with donors over time, and advocates engage community members around issues that matter.

So relationship-building is more than a leadership skill. It's central to making informed decisions, navigating difficult conversations, leading through transition, and moving the mission forward.

Building strong relationships takes time and attention, especially when conversations get difficult or expectations aren't aligned. Investing in these skills helps nonprofit teams work through challenges, support one another, and build a strong team culture.

For supervisors (new and seasoned): Over three interactive sessions beginning on November 4, get guidance on how to ask thoughtful questions, offer honest feedback, and help your employees grow while staying accountable.

For executives and board chairs: On October 29, begin building a stronger partnership while understanding each other’s role and maintaining appropriate governance and management boundaries.

Early Voting begins today, and runs from October 15-31. Share resources to help your staff, clients, and community members find early voting sites and know their rights:

Find and share more nonpartisan voting resources and stay informed on policy issues to better engage and advocate for your community.

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month. While there are plenty of cybersecurity resources out there – from data privacy practices to tech policies organizations should regularly review and update – it may time to look at those protocols through a different lens. The National Cybersecurity Alliance explores human-centered cybersecurity, an approach that puts people’s needs, abilities, and limitations at the heart of security decisions. Because effective cybersecurity isn't just about technology or policies – it's also about creating practices that work for the people who use them.

You’re likely elbow-deep in year-end fundraising plans. If you’re also budgeting for next year, here’s something worth considering: there’s more to the budget than the numbers. The assumptions behind those projections tell the bigger story – why you’re making certain choices, what your board is prioritizing, and how you’ll adjust when things change. Chazin’s article explores how documenting that thinking can turn your budget from a spreadsheet of estimates into a practical tool for making decisions throughout the year.

Member Benefit Note: To ensure we can provide thoughtful and timely support to our members, we've temporarily paused new Pro Bono Program requests during the month of October. We'll resume accepting requests on November 1, 2026. Thank you for your understanding as we work to provide a strong and responsive Pro Bono Program for members.

ICYMI, we’re hosting the 2026 Conference for NC Nonprofits and its next week – October 20-21 in Concord! There’s still time to sign up and join hundreds of fellow nonprofit professionals as we gather over two days to…

…be inspired by keynote speaker Rich Harwood to strengthen civic culture and drive local change

…share strategies and insights during 35+ sessions

…dive into deep discussions about legal & DEI compliance, year-end giving, evaluation & impact, leadership, and the future of the sector

…collaborate on art and stories of ‘nonprofits getting it done’

…connect with each other and the work we’re doing together

Register online by tomorrow for extra savings or onsite at regular rates beginning Tuesday.

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.

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…
How did the Center get its start, and how has it evolved over the years? For our 20^th anniversary, we captured part of that story in Where Heroes Unite. Take a look back and stay tuned for the full story of our 35-year history, coming to our website later this month.

Bookmark the Nonprofit Calendar for ongoing training and events, and don't forget about these additional learning opps:

We appreciate the support of these new businesses in Business Finder, our online directory of businesses and consultants that work specifically with nonprofits. Check them out or promote your services!

First Nonprofit

Into Right Relationship

Restless Rabbit Creative

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.

A Little Village Sanford

The Aggie Athletic Foundation

The Birthstone Center for Appalachian Perinatal Resilience

Autism Housing Initiative

Brothers and Sisters Like These

Carteret County Wildlife Club

Charlotte Tamil Association

Community Specialized Services, Inc.

The Forestlands Conservation Foundation

Foscoe Home Team

give GroundUp

Global Relief Network

The North Carolina High School for Accelerated Learning

Not a Center 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!

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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