Where Insight Meets Action: Strengthening Nonprofits for What's Next

By the Greater Green Bay Community Foundation team

May 14, 2026 — When nonprofits in Northeast Wisconsin describe what they are experiencing today, the message is consistent: Demand for services is rising, and resources are harder to secure. We are hearing this directly from nonprofit leaders, and their words are reinforced by a recent survey conducted by the Foundation and other regional funding partners.

These same pressures are playing out across the country. Nearly half (49%) of American families do not have the resources to keep up with the rising cost of essentials like food, housing, childcare, transportation, and energy. At the same time, nonprofits responding to these needs are under growing financial strain. In 2024, 36% of nonprofits reported ending their fiscal year with an operating deficit—the highest in 10 years.

In this environment, it’s critical to equip nonprofits with the resources they need to plan for long-term sustainability. This isn’t just about weathering the storm, it’s about planning for the future of vital services in our community.

Through the Nonprofit Impact Initiative (NII), in partnership with Bader Philanthropies and Brown County United Way, we’ve awarded nearly $700,000 in capacity-building grants to 67 organizations since 2019. This support continues to strengthen the operations and leadership of local nonprofits, helping them deepen their impact on the communities they serve.

Now, we’re building on what’s working by sharing our findings and inviting community partners to expand the program.

A new $100,000 investment from the 1923 Fund, a charitable foundation established by David A. and Mary Ann Cofrin, will support the Initiative’s growing set of programs. By partnering with the Greater Green Bay Community Foundation, the 1923 Fund is able to help cultivate a wide range of community actions that address growing community needs. In this case, the investment strengthens the capacity of nonprofit leaders by ensuring they have access to the right tools, training, and support systems needed to navigate change and continue serving their communities effectively.

With this investment, the following actions are already taking shape:

• Free in-depth learning, when it’s needed: The launch of a Nonprofit Learning Series Pilot, delivered in collaboration with UW-Green Bay’s Nonprofit Advisory Network, will provide accessible learning opportunities focused on practical tools and strategies that nonprofits can apply in their day-to-day work. Each series will consist of two to three connected sessions on a single topic, allowing participants to engage in deeper learning than is typically possible—and at no cost.

• Stronger leaders, stronger organizations: The Nonprofit Leaders Collaborative is a nine-month leadership development program created in partnership with Ascent Leadership. The investment allows this program to continue beyond its pilot year, supporting more nonprofit leaders as they build skills and deepen their impact.

• Flexible support for long-term sustainability: The investment also adds grant support for nonprofit capacity building. Through partnerships with Bader Philanthropies and Brown County United Way, capacity-building grants support the continued success and sustainability of organizations in Brown, Kewaunee, Door, and Oconto counties in areas such as strategic planning, board development, and marketing and communications.

Together, these efforts aim to connect 75 to 100 nonprofits each year with tools and expertise that will strengthen their capacity today and for the future, helping them stay responsive in a changing environment.

And while the numbers matter, the impact shows up in what these programs make possible: a community better equipped to meet rising needs and care for one another.

If you are someone who cares deeply about the health and sustainability of nonprofits so they can best serve our communities, the Nonprofit Impact Fund offers a meaningful way to put those values into action. By investing alongside others, you can expand access to the tools, training, and resources organizations need to adapt and thrive.

To learn more about the Nonprofit Impact Initiative, nonprofit survey findings, and opportunities to align your giving with the issues you care about, connect with our team at 920-432-0800 or visit ggbcf.org/team.