It’s perhaps the understatement of the year — or, maybe more fittingly, the semiquincentennial — to say that it’s a challenging moment for the nonprofit sector. As CEP has shared in some of its latest research as well as other public forums, burnout is spiking, foundation funding is more unpredictable than ever, and many nonprofits are having to pivot and make the most difficult of decisions just to stay afloat. In this situation, it is important to also underscore grantees' reasons for optimism and hope going forward.

But let’s set that aside, at least for now, as we approach this notable — and notably disharmonious — Fourth of July. At a time when celebrating our nation’s birth and its complicated history can feel especially fraught — and in a political era when our faith in the state of civil society might seem tempered — let’s do what CEP does best and turn to the data so that we can talk about our values.

CEP’s grantee survey in particular unlocks a wealth and a range of perspectives, including one theme in particular that’s cause for fireworks: connection, showing one of the grantees' reasons for optimism and hope in these difficult circumstances.

The foundations who many grantees say are meeting this moment in the most powerful ways are the ones who are serving as connectors and convenors, who understand that, especially in a crisis, the sector is better as a whole when funders are bringing partners together. After all, the most intractable problems become a little bit smaller when organizations and leaders stand alongside each other.

With this in mind, below are examples from grantees of how funders have nurtured connection and, in the process, reaffirmed the centrality of the sector not only to a strong, robust civil society, but to our national identity. (I’m sure at this point you are waiting for me to quote here everyone’s favorite observer of American society and culture, Alexis de Tocqueville — you’ll have to wait till the end of this post.)

NB: these quotes have been edited for clarity and to maintain the confidentiality of grantees who responded to CEP’s survey.

Read the full article about grantees' reasons for optimism this Fourth of July by Joseph Lee at The Center for Effective Philanthropy.