Nonprofit work is a powerful force for change, led by individuals dedicated to uplifting communities and amplifying underrepresented voices. Yet the sector continues to face rising demand, limited resources, workforce pressures, and rapid technological change.
Grassi’s 2025 Nonprofit Symposium brought together leaders from the firm’s nonprofit practice and other industry experts to explore today’s most critical trends, challenges, and opportunities. Through a series of sessions facilitated by professionals from across the sector, the event examined how technology, financial strategy, employee well-being, and top-down culture change can help nonprofits strengthen their operations and build long-term resilience.
Navigating Regulatory Change: Nonprofit Governance and Risk Management
The symposium began with a discussion about the evolving regulatory environment, where heightened government oversight, shifting state-level policies, and growing expectations from the private sector are raising the standards for transparency and accountability.
Organizations can adopt the following strategies to meet changing demands:
- Transparent Communication: Communicate how funds are used to build trust with donors, stakeholders, and regulators.
- Robust Governance: Maintain year-round documentation, review internal controls, and align governance with current regulatory requirements.
- Risk Management: Conduct periodic governance audits to identify and address compliance gaps.
Nonprofits that invest in transparency and accountability will be better positioned to withstand pressures and strengthen stakeholder confidence in times of change.
Using AI and Technology to Support Nonprofit Missions
Technology and Artificial Intelligence are transforming how nonprofits operate—not as replacements for human-centered work, but as tools that enhance clarity, control, and strategic decision-making.
A key theme was the importance of modern data management: having the right data in the right hands at the right time. Many nonprofits are turning to Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems to unify their data and create the cross-functional alignment that AI and advanced analytics tools thrive on.
Nonprofits are discovering many helpful use cases for AI in their work, including:
- Analyzing donor databases and enriching them with social media data to personalize relationships.
- Creating tailored communications based on donor behavior and preferences.
- Automating administrative tasks like email outreach, customer service, and documentation.
- Monitoring public sentiment through social media listening to guide strategic decisions.
However, advanced systems introduce increased security and compliance risks. Organizations adopting more sophisticated technology stacks must establish governance frameworks for data security, system access, and staff training to remain compliant and protected.
Nonprofit Financial Planning: Building Resilience and Mission Focus
Regular, robust financial planning enables organizations to maintain consistent service to their communities and protect nonprofits against risks such as economic downturns or funding disruptions.
To strengthen their financial planning and focus on their mission rather than crisis management, nonprofits can focus on three essential areas:
- Economic Environment Scenario Development: Model impacts of inflation or demographic shifts on revenue and expenses.
- Funding Source Risk Scenarios: Address vulnerabilities from concentrated revenue streams by examining what happens if major donors reduce giving or government contracts end.
- Operational Disruption Planning: Prepare for challenges such as leadership transitions or facility emergencies that could disrupt service delivery.
During volatile periods, monthly forecasts and weekly reviews support agile decision-making. Key financial metrics should be measured and monitored based on the sector, as priorities and indicators of success vary. Monitoring key metrics becomes even more effective when paired with data visualization tools that enable non-financial leaders to engage with the numbers and translate insights into action.
As nonprofit leaders continue to plan for sustainability and resilience, it is critical for board members to engage in financial planning strategies. Organizations with strong board financial oversight can weather unexpected challenges, seize strategic opportunities, and maintain stakeholder confidence even during difficult periods.
How the CFO Role is Changing: From Transactional to Strategic
The modern CFO has evolved from a back-office compliance and reporting function to a key strategic partner. Today’s forward-thinking CFOs actively drive mission-aligned growth by collaborating across leadership teams and boards to align financial strategies with broader organizational goals.
This expanded role requires competencies beyond traditional finance, such as:
- Influence: Guiding leadership and boards toward mission-driven decisions.
- Communication: Translating complex financial data into actionable insights for diverse stakeholders.
- Change Management: Leading organizational shifts, such as adopting new financial systems or diversifying revenue streams.
These skills support four core responsibilities that define the modern CFO:
- Mission-Aligned Strategy: Developing financial plans that support growth and community impact by diversifying revenue streams to reduce funding risk.
- Predictive Intelligence: Using analytics and scenario planning to anticipate risks and guide decision-making with regular forecasting and visualization tools.
- Strategic Partnership: Aligning financial and programmatic goals by collaborating with CEOs, boards, and program teams to connect cost to outcomes.
- Stakeholder Communication: Building trust with funders, regulators, and partners through transparent financial reporting and advocacy for timely contract payments.
CFOs can implement a more strategic approach by following a clear transformation roadmap: assessing current roles, investing in data capabilities, building relationships, and enhancing communication. By embracing these changes and making data-driven decisions, CFOs can transform financial metrics into a catalyst for mission success.
Employee Well-being in Nonprofits: Strategies That Work
Employee well-being has a direct impact on organizational productivity, retention, and service delivery capabilities. Given that 77% of employees report experiencing work-related stress and 57% experience burnout, organizations must address well-being holistically, focusing on the physical, social, emotional, and purpose-driven needs of their employees.
Practical approaches for employee wellness include:
- Physical and Emotional Support: Normalize mental health conversations and provide access to resources, such as counseling services and wellness initiatives.
- Purpose & Connection: Encourage professional growth and create opportunities for deeper community involvement to build engagement.
- Financial Literacy: Offer budgeting workshops and financial education tools, and communicate benefits.
- Manager Training: Teach managers to recognize signs of burnout and respond with empathy and appropriate support.
Building a culture of well-being requires sustained commitment, but the investment pays off through higher staff satisfaction and productivity.
Nonprofit Leadership Strategies from the CFO Panel
The Symposium concluded with a CFO panel where leaders discussed the essential role of executive leadership in organizational success. Panelists emphasized that inclusive, transparent, and purpose-driven leadership drives collaboration, innovation, and long-term impact.
CFOs shared key strategies for strengthening their organizations:
- Purpose-Driven Leadership: Anchoring decision-making in the organization’s mission and promoting transparency to inspire and engage staff.
- Active Engagement: Strengthening trust by visiting program sites, speaking with staff, asking thoughtful, open-ended questions, and modeling an approachable, people-focused finance function.
- Inclusivity and Innovation: Inviting diverse perspectives, particularly from frontline staff, to co-create solutions.
When leaders commit to building trust-based, inclusive cultures, they create better alignment between financial and programmatic teams, enabling their organizations to thrive, even in times of uncertainty.
Looking Forward
Grassi’s 2025 Nonprofit Symposium equipped leaders with practical strategies to strengthen their organizations amid today’s complex operating environment. From governance best practices to AI implementation, strategic financial planning, and leadership development, participants left with actionable insights tailored to the unique challenges nonprofits face.
Contact Us
Grassi invites nonprofit executives and board members across the Northeast to share insights in our 2025 Nonprofit Leadership Survey.
For personalized guidance on regulatory compliance, financial strategy, technology implementation, or leadership development, connect with a Grassi nonprofit advisor today.
