Insights & trends
We believe strong strategy should be grounded in both lived experience and current evidence. This page highlights research, trend analyses, and field insights shaping the nonprofit and education sectors.
We are especially interested in work related to school culture, leadership, organizational health, funding sustainability, governance, adult learning, and implementation.
Featured sources we’re following
Nonprofit and higher education trends
We are tracking forward-looking research and analysis on how nonprofit and higher education organizations are navigating funding pressure, financial sustainability, governance, and long-term resilience.
Recent reads
2026 Nonprofit & Higher Education Industry Predictions
A forward-looking overview of the trends expected to shape nonprofit and higher education strategy in 2026, including revenue pressure, efficiency, technology, and resilience.
2026 Nonprofit Sector Outlook: Predictions and Priorities for Boards, CEOs, CFOs, and Controllers
A practical look at the financial, fundraising, and leadership pressures nonprofit organizations may face, with implications for strategic planning and stewardship.
Embracing Adaptive Governance: Strengthening Nonprofit Resilience in a Time of Uncertainty
A useful piece on how boards and leadership teams can move beyond compliance-centered governance toward more adaptive, strategic decision-making.
Education strategy & systems change
We are also following research on the challenges shaping schools, districts, and education systems, including financial pressure, student well-being, and the changing conditions leaders must navigate.
Recent reads
From Surplus to Scarcity: K–12 Districts Brace for Leaner Years
An analysis of how declining enrollment, tighter funding, rising costs, and growing student needs are creating pressure for K–12 systems.
Addressing Youth Mental Health Through School-Based Services
A helpful piece on the role schools can play in delivering evidence-based mental health supports and what systems may need to strengthen along the way.
Insights on Education
A broader education insights hub with articles and analysis spanning K–12, higher education, workforce pathways, and system-level transformation.
Social, emotional, and mental health
We are also tracking research related to student well-being, adult well-being, school climate, belonging, and the conditions that help people feel safe, supported, and able to thrive. This includes work on mental health services, educator burnout, relational trust, and healthier learning environments.
Recent reads
Addressing Youth Mental Health Through School-Based Services
A useful look at how schools can help meet growing student mental health needs through evidence-based, school-based supports and stronger systems of care.
Teacher Well-Being, Pay, and Intentions to Leave in 2025
A timely report on educator stress, burnout, financial strain, and retention, with important implications for leadership, staffing, and organizational health.
By Choice Not By Chance: Engaging Social and Emotional Learning to Create a Supportive Climate and Discipline Strategies
A strong SEL-centered resource on how supportive school climate and discipline strategies can work together to build environments where students feel safe, supported, and seen.
Nonprofit data and sector conditions
For a more data-rich view of the nonprofit landscape, we are also tracking research and tools that show what organizations are experiencing in real time across funding, workforce, governance, and operations.
Recent reads
Nonprofit Trends Tracker
A live data tool that offers customizable visualizations and current sector-wide insight across a range of nonprofit conditions and trends.
How Government Funding Disruptions Affected Nonprofits in Early 2025
A research brief examining how funding cancellations, pauses, and freezes affected nonprofit staffing, services, and organizational stability.
Nonprofit Leaders’ Top Concerns Entering 2025
A survey-based look at the concerns nonprofit leaders are carrying related to sustainability, demand, funding, and workforce strain.
Topics we’re tracking
Nonprofit sustainability and finance
Governance and board leadership
Education systems and school improvement
Culture, well-being, and mental health
Adult learning and implementation
Data, measurement, and organizational effectiveness
How we use research
We use research to inform questions, sharpen strategy, and support better decision-making in context. Our goal is not to import one-size-fits-all solutions, but to help organizations apply strong ideas in ways that fit their mission, people, and realities.