Leadership New England 2026 draws on research and engagement with nonprofit organizations and staff to identify the major trends, challenges, and critical needs facing nonprofit leaders in New England.
“Throughout our region, nonprofit organizations are at the forefront of efforts to protect and strengthen our communities,” said Elaine Ng, President and Chief Executive Officer of TSNE. “At the same time, the people who work in and lead these vital organizations are grappling with unprecedented challenges. Conversations with these leaders, coupled with extensive research and our deep experience as a fiscal sponsor and capacity builder, have provided insight into the impact of these evolving challenges while also presenting tangible recommendations for overcoming the obstacles the sector is facing today. This report lays the groundwork for building more equitable, effective, and sustainable nonprofit leadership pathways in the region.”
Since the previous Leadership New England report was published in 2014, the nonprofit sector has changed dramatically, and policy changes at the Federal level over the past year have only accelerated that continued shift. Preparing nonprofit organizations and leaders for a future that would have been difficult to imagine five or ten years ago makes the timing of this report particularly relevant. Grounded in focus group conversations with nonprofit leaders throughout New England and an extensive review of national and regional research, the 2026 report affirms what we already know, and what leaders continually have said is most urgently needed to sustain an equitable nonprofit leadership pipeline. These priorities include:
- Access to multi-year, unrestricted funding that reflects the true cost of work;
- Fair and transparent compensation practices;
- Sustained investment in leadership development; and,
- The cultivation of equity-centered, diverse boards that actively support organizations through succession and periods of external pressure.
The report also calls on funders to embrace established practices that reduce administrative burden, affirm wellness and rest, and better coordinate resources so that funding flows more equitably to historically under-resourced communities. Together, addressing these priorities will create the foundation for a stronger, more resilient social sector across New England, and empower nonprofits to devote more time and energy to what’s most important – the people and communities they serve.
You can read the full report here.
*We’d like to thank the Barr Foundation for their generous support of this project.