On December 4, Dr. Basil A. Smikle Jr., recently appointed director of Columbia’s M.S. in Nonprofit Management program, led a discussion on the “new normal” confronting many nonprofit organizations and professionals, discussing navigating post-election challenges. Speakers from diverse backgrounds shared their perspectives, touching on various issues, including funding challenges and changing community needs. The event offered a thought-provoking look at the future of nonprofits and gave students and alumni the opportunity to connect with Dr. Smikle.

“After the election, we recognized that our students, faculty and program partners would benefit from speaking openly and honestly about the challenges and opportunities for our sector in the next year -which provided some guidance on how we address these issues in our programs and curriculum,” said Dr. Smikle, regarding navigating post-election challenges.

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Among the issues raised, some organizations could be targeted for removal of their tax-exempt status based on their work with certain populations, underscoring the importance of discussing navigating post-election challenges.

Leaders from organizations that help gain equity for African American children and families were open about their post-election concerns.

Arva Rice, president and CEO of the New York Urban League, acknowledged that her organization could be a target and would have to work on navigating post-election challenges. “We will have to move and work accordingly, but we've been through this fight," she said. "Our ancestors could not have even imagined us to be in these places and spaces we are now in as African Americans, as women, as people of color.”

Read the full article about navigating post-election challenges at Columbia School of Professional Studies.