Philanthropy (Other)

We are on the edge of an economic revolution, one in which local leaders in emerging communities are laying the groundwork for a new solidarity economy.

Across the country, nonprofits, advocacy groups, and philanthropic institutions are being forced into survival mode. Executive orders threaten public funding, communities face mounting attacks, and nonprofit organizations operate in crisis mode. In the scramble for survival, many organizations are overlooking an issue that undermines their impact: siloed communications. While external threats mount, fragmented messaging and disconnected teams weaken the ability to demonstrate value, rally supporters, and defend missions. The sector may not be able to control every crisis coming its way, but it can confront the internal barriers that keep it from strengthening its reach. An upcoming paper from TCC Group explores integrated communications, where storytelling and strategy aren’t separate departments but embedded approaches across every program, team, and interaction. By building communications into their very infrastructure, organizations can create much-needed cohesion to amplify their mission. Through interviews (conducted in 2024) with 10 communications leaders across nonprofits and philanthropic institutions, we uncovered practical strategies to move communications from the margins to the core of organizational operations. What Makes Communications “Integrated”? In traditional communications approaches, communications is factored in late in the process and is often limited to promoting programs once they are already developed. In those models, communications is typically separated from program teams and viewed as a support function focused on external visibility, often measured by press coverage, social media activity, or event promotion. By comparison, integrated communications positions communications professionals as thought partners and collaborators with program teams, shaping strategies and decisions from the start. Audiences are not treated as generic, but as diverse communities whose perspectives guide both program design and communications. Success is not defined simply by visibility, but by communications’ direct contribution to mission outcomes, stronger community engagement, and long-term systems change. In an integrated model, communications is a core element of strategy and design….

While nonprofits and foundations are widely using AI, leaders broadly report sharing a similar set of concerns about the technology.

Adopting AI for nonprofits doesn’t mean losing empathy; it means enhancing impact with smarter tools.

The Champlin Foundation’s Nina Stack talks with CEP’s Emily Radwin about how the Foundation modernized with grantee feedback in mind.

Imagine your neighborhood, town, city, or rural community is facing a significant need or an exciting opportunity, yet it is lacking the financial resources to respond. Too often, the funding and decisions that shape our communities are made far from home without local voices at the table.

This October, Madrid will host a gathering of feminist leaders, activists, and changemakers from across the globe.The Financing for Feminist Futures (F4FF) Conference takes place 8-10 October, 2025 at La Casa Encendida, convened by ……

Natalia Kiryttopoulou highlights two practices of UK-based funder Paul Hamlyn Foundation who has received high ratings in CEP’s Grantee Perception Report.

By bringing creative approaches to business, restaurant cuisine, and packaged food products, we can help consumers support planetary health.