Social Innovation Forum
Dear Friends,
Over the course of this past year, we have witnessed the nonprofit sector undergoing dramatic foundational change. Due to federal funding and policy shifts, the needs across nonprofit organizations and the communities they support are increasingly dire. Both nonprofits and their investors and supporters must work together with urgency to protect and advance positive social impact.
The heart of our mission-driven work as we know it today was developed alongside what we currently refer to as philanthropy. In the early 20th Century, organizations were formed to meet societal needs, and their efforts were largely supported by individuals who had the ability to contribute their resources and often their time to the work. These efforts were bolstered by government supports at all levels and, in some cases, direct funding flowed to the organizations that were working within communities. A new workforce sprang up to power this social ecosystem with 1 in 10 adults now working in a nonprofit today.
Social Innovation Forum (SIF) was founded on the belief that bringing together community-led organizations and the resources and networks to help them achieve their missions is essential for social change. Nonprofits are vital and our model is built on abundance and shared impact. We are all stronger when we work together.
This year, we have seen the parts of our sector’s ecosystem dismantled with a speed that has left institutional voids and foundational uncertainty. In the face of lost jobs, unfunded programs, and organizations that have been shuttered, it is imperative to speak up, and speak out, for the important work that nonprofits continue to do.
Our 2025 annual report is a time to communicate our progress across this past year and share a bit about our goals for the future. This year, in this time, it also important to acknowledge the work ahead and the collective strength we must summon. Our theme Out Loud: Speaking Boldly and Working Collaboratively charges us to bring our voices and our resources forward in collective action and resolve to ensure that mission-based organizations and the communities they serve can thrive.
Thank you for being with us as we move forward together,
Wyona Lynch McWhite, Executive Director
Julia Satti Cosentino, Chair, Board of Directors