Nonprofits are entering 2026 on uneven footing, with some communities stabilizing while others face financial strain and burnout, writes Tim Sarrantonio, chair of the Fundraising Effectiveness Project. Key trends include a shift in trust toward local organizations, the importance of fostering a sense of belonging, economic strain affecting donor behavior, the routine use of AI with concerns about equitable adoption and a focus on rebuilding rather than returning to normal.

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Melinda French Gates' Pivotal is partnering with Lever for Change to distribute $250 million in grants to more than 80 organizations that support women's health globally. The Action for Women's Health initiative will focus on reproductive health, mental health and maternal care, and more than 65% of recipients will be community-based organizations.

Conflict is inevitable in daily life and the workplace, but it can be beneficial if managed effectively, writes Lisa Kohn of Chatsworth Consulting Group. Kohn offers five strategies for handling conflict: remembering the core objective, pausing before reacting, staying engaged without withdrawing, understanding the other person's perspective and collaborating to solve the problem. "Conflict is unavoidable and usually unenjoyable, but it can be handled well and it can yield great results," Kohn writes.

Being a people-pleaser at work can hinder your career advancement as you prioritize others' needs over your own goals, writes Beatriz Victoria Albina, a master certified coach, who explains that people-pleasing stems from a desire to avoid discomfort and manage others' emotions. Albina suggests building tolerance for discomfort as a way to break the habit, starting with small steps, such as saying, "Let me think about it and get back to you," to give yourself time to consider whether you can take on more work.

Fundraisers should align their language with donors' self-perception to avoid cognitive dissonance, fundraising professional Matthew Keeny writes. Donors often describe themselves as kind, caring and thoughtful, rather than generous, so fundraisers should reflect these traits in their communications.