Join Third Sector New England, Inc. (TSNE) for an in-person conversation about what nonprofits need to navigate today’s challenges and build for the future.
Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026 | 4-6 p.m.
NonProfit Center | Boston, Massachusetts
Massachusetts nonprofits are a major part of the Commonwealth’s civic and economic infrastructure. They deliver essential services, organize communities, respond to emerging needs, and contribute to communities across the state.
But the conditions surrounding that work are changing.
TSNE will bring nonprofit leaders, public officials, funders, advocates, and capacity-building partners together for Infrastructure Is Mission: Strengthening Massachusetts Nonprofits for What Comes Next, a cross-sector conversation about what organizations need now—and what government, philanthropy, and infrastructure partners can do differently—to create stronger, more equitable conditions for mission-driven work.
Together, we’ll explore how we can build a sector for this moment and beyond while keeping transparency and effectiveness central to the conversation.
Why This Conversation, Why Now
Nonprofits are navigating rising costs, workforce pressures, changing funding streams, increased demand for services, and growing expectations around accountability and transparency.
These challenges affect more than individual organizations. They shape nonprofits’ ability to build strong teams, maintain effective operations, respond to their communities, and sustain their work over time.
This conversation will bring together perspectives from across the sector to consider how we can strengthen that infrastructure, not only within individual organizations, but across the systems and relationships that influence nonprofit work.
What We’ll Explore
Through a moderated panel and audience discussion, we’ll consider questions facing nonprofits and the institutions that support them, including:
- What pressures are nonprofits facing now, and which organizations are experiencing the greatest strain?
- What infrastructure, funding, and policy changes could help organizations become more sustainable?
- How can nonprofits, philanthropy, government, advocates, and capacity-building organizations work together to strengthen the sector?
- What can each part of the sector commit to doing next?
The conversation will be followed by time to connect with fellow attendees, TSNE staff, funders, public-sector representatives, and nonprofit partners.
Meet the Panel
Welcome Remarks: Elaine Ng, President and CEO, TSNE
Moderator: Gloria Ramón, Chief Strategy Officer, TSNE
Panelists
- Rory Neuner, Senior Learning Officer, Barr Foundation
- Shanique Rodriguez, Executive Director, MA Voter Table
- Dr. Melanie Edwards-Tavares, President and CEO, SouthCoast Community Foundation
Who Should Attend
This event is designed for nonprofit leaders, funders, public officials, capacity builders, and sector partners interested in strengthening the systems that sustain mission-driven work.
Join us on Oct. 8 to learn from one another, build relationships across the sector, and explore what it will take to create stronger conditions for nonprofit organizations now and in the years ahead.