Nicole Collier, NACC Executive Director

Nicole Collier, MPSA
Executive Director, NACC
Center for Nonprofits and Philanthropy
Bush School of Government and Public Service
Texas A&M University

To be honest, I’m not quite sure how to write about the past few months.

NACC has a wide-ranging membership and (dare I say it) a diverse group of stakeholders. I won’t presume to know what everyone feels or believes, and I certainly don’t want readers to think that whatever I write here is NACC’s official stance, or what is 100% going to happen to the sector or how we will be impacted. It feels foolish and irresponsible to share updates like everything is normal, but I also know that stopping work is the only way to ensure that our work is disrupted.

Here is a fact: It’s a stressful time to be in the nonprofit and philanthropic space. I wax and wane between wanting to research and prepare as much as I can and then wanting to tune it all out. It truly depends on the week/day/hour/moment.

However, these problems are not new. It’s something our board, membership, and programs have been discussing. Similar stressors were part of how our upcoming conference came up with its theme. It came up during our annual member meeting with the U.S. H.R. 9495, and several states have had legislation that has slowed down the work of nonprofits. It does feel different though. Things that felt like peripheral distractions, are now staring us in the face demanding our time and attention. I know we are all being flooded with articles, requests for comment, and discussions that can be mentally taxing. But, if for whatever reason, you need some resources, I’ve made a landing page on our website that compiles a few resources that our members have shared or that I have found useful. If you have any you want to add, you can fill out the form on the page, or email them to me at nicollier@tamu.edu

I’ve been thinking of one of my favorite lines from the musical, Hadestown.

Orpheus was a poor boy
But he had a gift to give
He could make you see how the world could be
In spite of the way that it is

That line also is a way we view the meaning of the nonprofit sector. We work to see how the world could be, and I know that we, as academics, researchers, practitioners, teachers, and students who will move the sector forward, will continue to chase that vision. Of that, I have no doubt.

Thank you for all you do – you are appreciated!

Nicole