Independent Sector

What does strong mentorship look like in the charitable sector? Join Independent Sector President and CEO Dr. Akilah Watkins and Regina Jackson, winner of our Janine Lee Mentorship Award, for a fireside chat on preparing tomorrow's leaders. Together, we’ll explore: 🔹 Going from mentee to mentor 🔹 Leading through today’s challenges 🔹 Strategies for stronger mentorship in the charitable sector 🔗 Register: independentsector-org.zoom.us/webinar/regist…

Have you heard about our Nonprofit Coalition Connection? This interactive tool helps you find coalition partners, expand your network, and strengthen your advocacy. Whether you’re forming a new coalition or growing an existing one, collaboration is one of the most effective ways to advance your mission. 🔹 Discover coalition partners 🔹 Expand your advocacy reach 🔹 Strengthen your impact 🔗 Explore the tool: independentsector.org/community/nonp…

Don't miss your chance to present at Independent Sector's National Summit 2026! We’re looking for practitioners, researchers, advocates, and community leaders to share practical insights that strengthen the charitable sector across four key areas: Thriving Workforce, Financially Robust, Trusted & Well Governed, and Active Advocates. ⏳ Submit your session proposal by April 2, 2026: summit.independentsector.org/call-for-sessi…

In January, the General Services Administration (GSA) released a proposal which represents the broadest effort to date to require nonprofits to comply with administration priorities around DEI, immigration, and anti-terrorism policies. Under the proposal, nonprofit organizations could be subject to lawsuits under the False Claims Act if they engage in activities that are deemed in violation. 📝 Submit a public comment to tell GSA that these new certifications are confusing, burdensome, and harmful to communities: independentsector.quorum.us/campaign/15775…

In case you missed it, this week we opened our Call for Sessions for Independent Sector's National Summit 2026! Why present at the summit? 🔹Join a distinguished community of leaders driving charitable sector transformation. 🔹Share your expertise with an engaged audience of nonprofit and philanthropic decision makers. 🔹Strengthen sector knowledge and meet potential collaborators. 🔹Receive special recognition and speaker rates to the summit. Learn more and submit your proposal: summit.independentsector.org/call-for-sessi…

The future of the charitable sector depends on the leaders we develop today. Strong mentorship can shape leaders, strengthen organizations, and build a more resilient charitable sector. Join Dr. Akilah Watkins and Regina Jackson for a fireside chat about their leadership journeys, lessons learned from mentorship, and how leaders can support the next generation. 🗓 April 1, 2026 ⏰ 2:00 PM ET Save your spot: independentsector-org.zoom.us/webinar/regist…

Join us in Washington, DC for Foundations on the Hill 2026 — a four-day advocacy experience bringing philanthropy together at a pivotal moment for the sector. From March 16–19, leaders from across philanthropy will gather to strengthen relationships, align strategies, and engage directly with policymakers to ensure philanthropy can continue to support communities with independence and purpose. Register now: unitedphilforum.org/events/foundat…

📢 Calling all nonprofit and foundation leaders! Did you receive the National Survey of Nonprofit Trends and Impacts 2026? Funders, policymakers, the media, and the public need to hear your story. Independent Sector urges all nonprofits and foundations that receive the National Survey of Nonprofit Trends and Impacts 2026 to complete it. Your experiences related to programs, workforce, finances, and more are valuable. Please take the survey so we can tell our sector’s story with high-quality, rigorous data about the experiences of nonprofits and foundations. Even if you didn’t receive the survey, spread the word to other sector leaders in your network. You can check out publications from past surveys: urban.org/nptrends/publi…

From music to civic life, the power of love and diversity endures. In her latest reflection, our president and CEO, Dr. Akilah Watkins, shares insights for nonprofit leaders navigating political and social challenges while staying true to their missions. Read the latest CEO Views: independentsector.org/blog/ceo-views…

After another busy month in Washington, D.C., what do nonprofits and philanthropies need to keep an eye on? Learn about a House hearing examining foreign influence in nonprofits, the partial government shutdown, and other noteworthy developments for our sector: independentsector.org/blog/dc-downlo…

Ready to deepen your advocacy expertise? Join us at Foundations on the Hill 2026 for 4 days of expert-led workshops, policy deep dives, and strategy sessions designed to equip your foundation for the year ahead. Register today: unitedphilforum.org/events/foundat… #FOTH26

Retirement security shouldn’t depend on where you work. Thank you to @SenatorBanks and @RepBynum, @Rep_McBride, @RepVindman, and @RepGregLandsman for cosponsoring the Small Nonprofit Retirement Security Act. Leadership like this moves us closer to a nonprofit workforce with real, long-term financial security. 🖋️ Ask your legislators to cosponsor the bill: independentsector.quorum.us/campaign/66129/

At Independent Sector, we champion four goals to ensure nonprofits and philanthropies have the strength to lead and serve. We believe charitable organizations must be: 🔹Powered by a thriving workforce 🔹Financially robust 🔹Trusted, well-governed, and effective 🔹Informed and active advocates See where our sector stands: healthysector.org

Nonprofit workers give so much to their communities, but many are struggling to make ends meet. The ALICE Nonprofit Workforce Dashboard shows the scale of financial hardship and highlights the workers who need support most. 📊 See the dashboard: independentsector.org/research/finan…

Today, Independent Sector President and CEO Dr. Akilah Watkins released a statement urging congressional lawmakers to vote against voter registration restrictions within H.R. 7296, the SAVE America Act. These new requirements, including a provision that would require prospective voters to provide proof of citizenship during registration, would effectively disenfranchise millions of American citizens without such documentation readily available and would impede the work of nonprofit organizations who help reach and register new voters overlooked by traditional voter registration efforts. Read the full press release: independentsector.org/blog/protect-n…

Want to stay updated on what’s shaping nonprofits and philanthropies today? Subscribe to Independent Sector emails and be the first to receive timely research, practical resources, upcoming events, and stories that inspire action. 👉 Sign up here: independentsector.org/subscribe

The landscape of philanthropy shifted in 2025. How is your organization preparing for what comes next? #FOTH26 is more than a series of meetings. It is a strategic convening that strengthens our sector’s future. Join us in D.C. to build the long-term advocacy power we need. Register today: unitedphilforum.org/events/foundat…

Voting rights are once again before the Supreme Court, with major implications for our democracy. Join us for a live webinar on the future of voting rights in America. We'll be examining the legacy of the Voting Rights Act, the Louisiana v. Callais case, and what the Supreme Court’s upcoming decision could mean for protections against racial gerrymandering. 🗓️ February 26, 2026 ⏰ 2:00–3:00 PM ET 👉 Register today: independentsector-org.zoom.us/webinar/regist…

We are grateful to @SenatorLankford and Senator @CortezMasto, and Reps. @VernBuchanan, @RepJimmyPanetta, @RepBlakeMoore, and @RepSchneider for their leadership on the Small Nonprofit Retirement Security Act. This commonsense legislation would finally level the playing field by allowing nonprofits to claim retirement plan tax credits against their payroll tax liability—a fix that recognizes the reality of how nonprofits operate. Reach out to your legislators today and ask them to cosponsor the Small Nonprofit Retirement Security Act: bit.ly/49zMHk1

Interested in strengthening your advocacy efforts? Our Nonprofit Coalition Connection is an interactive, nonpartisan resource that supports coalition building and advocacy engagement across the charitable sector. Learn more: independentsector.org/community/nonp…