Preparing for Sustained Success in a Changing World
In 2013, Foundation program officers began working in partnership with grantees to examine and discuss seven factors that can contribute to organizational resiliency. This work led to creation of a guide to help grantees and funders engage in constructive dialogue around the subject. In 2018, consultant Diana Scearce was commissioned to explore the capacities that matter most to organizations experiencing shocks and disruptions. The inquiry yielded a series of resources, culminating in a final report published in December 2020 amid crises including COVID-19, the national uprising for racial justice, and uncertainty regarding the presidential election. Training in scenario thinking and strategic foresight helped equip grantees and funders to make decisions in an increasingly volatile and uncertain future.
These tools are being shared to heighten interest in resiliency as an asset for nonprofits operating in a dynamic landscape, and to fuel new conversations regarding the value of resiliency in the context of grantee-grantmaker relationships.
Resilience in 2020
New field research examines how nonprofits have experienced the crises of 2020 – and what this tells us about organizational resilience. Findings are based on interviews with 22 leaders at 19 nonprofits and intermediaries in September and October. This report includes stories of how six organizations profiled in the earlier Resilience at Work study are faring amid the turbulence of 2020.
Resiliency Guide
This guide features seven factors that can contribute to organizational resiliency. The factors are presented in a way that can fuel discussion and inform action to strengthen resiliency.
Resilience at Work
What does it take for nonprofits to survive and even thrive amid shocks and disruptions? This report overviews characteristics critical to resilient nonprofits, as well as principles that can help pave the way for funders who want to enhance nonprofit resilience.
Download executive summary.
