Hello First name / community member,
I've been reading all of the conclusions, summaries, and predictions through the year-end and new year articles. In general, everyone is amazed we survived!! Everyone is wondering how we will continue to survive!! (Lots of exclamation points are required).
NPN, like many organizations and nonprofits, had a rough year. Our business focuses on supporting nonprofits, and when nonprofits hurt, we hurt. That's the way it should be, we are all in the same ecosystem, and our job is to support nonprofits.
When I was asked for my summary of 2025 and predictions for 2026, I resisted. There is enough out there about resilience, right-sizing, and focusing on your mission. And that is balanced by our need to practice resistance, meet a growing need, and talk loudly about individual missions. It's just a lot.
But what can we say about 2025:
- Tough decisions were made
- People were supported as best as we could
- We didn't give up
It is sometimes hard to remember when hard decisions are being made, closures are happening, and funds are disappearing, that you are doing the best that you can, and making those tough decisions does not mean you are giving up.
I think that's the biggest takeaway from 2025: when people make hard decisions, that does not mean they are giving up. They are stepping into the hard decision–and all the fear, frustration, anger, and disappointment it brings. I've met some incredible people last year who are making hard decisions, and I'd gladly support them in anything they choose to do. Wow, they've done some amazing work!
So, for 2026, I'm looking ahead to supporting more people making hard decisions. NPN continues to do searches, continues to support organizational assessments, continues to place interims with specific skillsets for a specific need, and continues to offer space for conversations amongst nonprofit leaders.
We are celebrating the 5th anniversary of NPN with me as an owner. It's exciting! I'm looking forward to new work with new organizations. I'm impressed with my team's ability to step into new situations and look for practical solutions.
Every organization doesn't need a search. Every organization doesn't need to struggle alone. Every organization does need a partner outside of themselves to talk to.
I see another year of big changes and small changes–of adapting to, responding to, and creating new realities. We are not done yet. If you are seeking a partner to process the new year with, don't hesitate to reach out to us.
