We are in a trifecta of crises that threatens our nation’s public health, economic security and democracy. Though this pandemic is new, racism and economic injustice are not. The pandemic has served to further reveal preexisting inequities in housing, education, health care, food security, policing and criminal justice, income and employment.

Findings from a new survey conducted by the Center for Effective Philanthropy (CEP) show that U.S. nonprofits faced major challenges but fared better than expected in 2020, thanks to an infusion of philanthropic and government funding. However, the data reveal concerning disparities in the experiences of women leading nonprofits and of nonprofits serving certain communities of color.

When place-based funders from 12 regions across the country formed a learning group in 2020, chronicled in this five-part series, they shared practical, tactical steps to grapple with a range of thorny questions. When they turned to engaging stakeholders, the funders focused on three core challenges to building community partnerships.