Online Summit 2025
Thrive Amidst the Tides of change: Nonprofit SOLUTIONS
May 9th @ 8:30am EST | VIRTUAL EVENT
On May 9, Harpswell Capital Advisors hosted The Harpswell Online Summit 2025, bringing together nonprofit leaders, policy experts, and institutional stakeholders for a timely conversation on resilience, strategy, and adaptation during a period of unprecedented economic and policy uncertainty.
Jennifer Hutchins, Executive Director of the Maine Association of Nonprofits, moderated the discussion, joined by a distinguished panel including Geoffrey Swift, Vice President of Finance and Administration at Bates College; Naomi Zeigler Nagle, Economic Policy Advisor to Senator Angus King; Alyssa Wright, a philanthropic advisor with Wright Collective; and Charles Rolsky, Phd of the Shaw Institute, a nonprofit executive and grant recipient. Together, the panel addressed urgent challenges facing nonprofits today, while offering pragmatic strategies and deeper insights for decision-makers.
Themes & Takeaways
Uncertainty and Sector Solidarity
Jennifer Hutchins opened the session by emphasizing the role of nonprofit coalitions and the importance of organizing around shared challenges. She underscored the need for nonprofits to lean into collective advocacy, not only in response to federal policy changes but as a long-term strategy for sector strength.
Federal Policy and the Future of Higher Education
Geoffrey highlighted the compounded challenges facing private colleges—including inflationary pressure, research funding changes, and the potential downstream effects of endowment tax proposals. He noted that institutions must prepare for new budget realities and shifts in donor expectations driven by economic turbulence.
Understanding Financial Pressures and Tax Reform
Naomi offered a detailed look at the current policy environment, including ongoing negotiations around tax reform, endowment taxation, and the FY2026 "skinny budget." She encouraged nonprofit leaders to engage lawmakers with both data and storytelling to advocate for continued funding and program support.
Donor Stewardship in Uncertain Times
Alyssa stressed the importance of transparency and trust-building with donors—even when organizations don’t have all the answers. She spoke to the growing role of family philanthropy, direct cash assistance, and flexible funding approaches, encouraging nonprofits to remain connected to their supporters.
Navigating Funding Instability and Grant Management
Charles shared firsthand challenges related to shifting federal grant policies, unstable funding streams, and the administrative burden on smaller organizations. He emphasized the critical importance of having access to core data and samples for his organization’s research efforts and service delivery.
Storytelling, Community Engagement, and Collaboration
Multiple panelists, reflected on the power of storytelling in securing funding and driving mission alignment. Jennifer and Charles agreed that community engagement, transparency, and public-private partnerships are key to maintaining momentum, even as uncertainties persist.
