Philanthropy Wired September 2025 - SSutton-and-Associates

US-Canada Nonprofits: Challenges and Opportunities of Working Together in 2025

Chiayi Tsui, Associate, S. Sutton and Associates Inc.

Economic uncertainty, political disillusionment, societal pressures, and emotional exhaustion…name your ill, and you have it in 2025. This environment creates challenging conditions for nonprofits tasked with addressing society’s various problems and presents complexities for any aspiring philanthropists. Despite some systemic differences between the US and Canada, similarities across the border reveal shared struggles. While thinking along national lines is sometimes helpful in framing an issue, the root of a problem usually transcends geographical boundaries.

How do we continuously do more with less? How do we respond to increasing polarization? How do we prepare for the future when we are having a hard time coping with the present? Let us look at trends across the US-Canada border as we ponder some of these big questions.

The Economic Squeeze

More than half of Americans polled by Gallup in early 2025 believed that the economy was getting worse, and this was before targeted tariffs, a tit-for-tat trade policy, and stock market losses which continued to deepen the sense of economic instability.

Canadians likewise are feeling less optimistic about their nation’s economic outlook, according to a Gallup poll. In fact, their optimism has been waning since the Great Financial Crisis in 2008, and really took a nose dive in 2021 as inflation increased significantly that year.

Economic uncertainty often negatively impacts nonprofits: donations decline as donors become more cautious with their giving, corporations face greater budget constraints, and governments reduce or redirect their aid. Unpredictability surrounding funding in turn impacts the services that nonprofits provide; a drop in the former due to economic strain often necessitates a drop in the latter. Yet, demand for nonprofit services – particularly food, housing, and health services – tends to rise in stressful times.

Civic and Political Decline

Another poll by The New York Times in late 2024 revealed eroded confidence in the US political system: more than three-fourths of respondents believed that American democracy was under threat, as checks and balances seemed to be crumbling under politicians’ power grabs.

Many Canadians are similarly disheartened and dissatisfied with the political scene– more than a third of Canadians, according to data collected by the Angus Reid Institute, find that the political parties have become too extreme and offer no potential for compromise.

Nonprofits walk a tightrope when it comes to expressing their values: espousing the “wrong” views risks getting public ire; staying silent risks losing the support of vociferous advocates. On the one hand are the donors whose disillusionment extends beyond the political realm; on the other are the donors who take on extreme stances and demand the same from nonprofits or they would withdraw their support. In both cases, it seems increasingly impossible to retain either group while remaining bipartisan.

Pressure from the Digital World

Meanwhile, the online world doesn’t offer any reprieve, and in fact can be a dominant source of pressure for people, especially younger adults. A study by Common Sense Media and Harvard Graduate School of Education reported that over 80% of American teens felt pressured by social media to appear a certain way or to measure themselves by others’ achievements.

Social media users in Canada are not immune to the phenomenon of cancel culture, where people get criticized, publicly shamed, and even ostracized for expressing beliefs deemed unacceptable. This has propelled entities– from individuals to corporations alike– to make public proclamations to align themselves with the righteous side…whatever that may be.

The pressure to always be “on” and to always say the “correct” thing has real consequences. Every entity is after more likes, more clicks, more shares, more dollars. While the Internet has allowed nonprofits to be omnipresent and to reach broader audiences, online interactions have prompted ideological fights rather than honest dialogues. Fear of backlash and public scrutiny has nonprofits claiming increasingly higher moral grounds, and the fear of losing relevance in today’s world forces participants to become obsessive and short-sighted.

Shared Struggles

These results offer glimpses into a broader sentiment of unease and emotional strain, and people are feeling a kind of collective fatigue. While it may be easy to say the Americans have it the roughest, tempting even to dismiss certain issues as pertaining to the US only, we needn’t look far to see that many key challenges faced by individuals and nonprofits are shared more broadly: from inflationary pressure and economic instability, to loss of pandemic relief support and Federal government pulling the plug on aid, to civic discourse deterioration…. In addition to any personal obstacles each individual faces, our miseries are compounded by problems unfolding on the national and global stages.

A Resilient Sector

The situation indeed seems dire, and all the statistics and anecdotes cited in the media paint a worrisome picture. However, this is also a good time to be reminded that nonprofits have always faced difficulties, and many have emerged from them stronger. For instance, the drastic Reagan-era budget cuts professionalized nonprofit and fundraising, and employment in the nonprofit sector grew and in fact became a vital source of jobs for people. Arguably, all quite good things that came from an otherwise terrible time.

And, however counterintuitive it may seem, depressed economic conditions offer the most growth opportunities. After the Great Financial Crisis, foundation assets took a hit but recovered nicely in the decade that followed. And the swift financial rebound in 2021 helped assets in US foundations exceed $1 trillion in that same year. Over the long haul, temporary dips become cumulative gains: data from Candid, a company specialized in nonprofit data reporting, indicates charitable giving has grown 4.3% annually for the past 40 years despite periods of economic downturn.

Challenge Into Change: How We Help

Just as growth becomes most prominent after depressed periods, so can we be the most resilient during challenging times. We can transform public discontent and appetite for change into a desire for action. We can find common ground despite divisive rhetoric. Obstacles can now be used as catalysts for change, and decisions made today will have repercussions that transcend boundaries. Now more than ever is the time to make meaningful and lasting changes. Let us help you articulate your beliefs and your vision, and transform good intentions into impactful action.

As philanthropic advisors, we help nonprofits and civic leaders in reaching their charitable aspirations, navigate uncertainty, respond to challenges, build resilient communities, and remain mission-driven. With international reach but local knowledge, we bring global perspectives to regional issues– whether economic, political, or cultural. We tailor our approach to meet your unique needs and offer strategic advice across all stages of your philanthropic journey. Backed by a team of associates with deep expertise, S. Sutton & Associates Inc. is here to help guide you on how to do good– even when the world feels anything but.

S. Sutton & Associates Inc. is a global network of consultants providing customized Innovation Teams of subject experts with specific technical expertise to help nonprofit organizations and philanthropists maximize their philanthropic efforts and achieve significant impact.

We are poised to partner and collaborate to help you realize your philanthropic potential. Complimentary consultations are available or contact us directly for an exploratory conversation.

Libra Philanthropies

Libra Philanthropies builds global human potential and fosters hope through powerful connections, programs, and resources, addressing complex and urgent challenges globally, having impacted 26 million lives, in 183 countries, and 400+ organizations, and counting.

Libra Philanthropies is a foundation comprised of initiatives that include social impact programs, strategic giving, and independent nonprofits, incubated by the Libra ecosystem. The power of a growing network helps accelerate and generate meaningful work through four core activities. Libra Philanthropies:

Establishes Nonprofits
Where there are unmet needs, Libra Philanthropies collaborates with community stakeholders to establish nonprofits around the world that grow to operate independently.

Catalyzes Existing Nonprofits
By combining hands-on support, operational expertise, capacity building, network connections, and strategic giving to scale and internationalize organizations, Libra Philanthropies brings forth existing nonprofits.

Empowers Leaders
By encouraging people around the world to recognize their unique potential through access to mentorship, skills development, and international networking opportunities that prioritize entrepreneurship, continued education, and personal growth, Libra Philanthropies amplifies leaders.

Funds Change
Through the provision of grants to organizations worldwide in five key areas: economic opportunity, education, health, community development, and leadership, Libra Philanthropies manifests change.

Major and Principal Gifts

Major and principal gifts represent an essential method of fundraising for institutions which have developed a cohort of donors who have been solicited and stewarded on a regular basis, albeit at lower levels. Though not exclusively, the vast majority of large gifts to an institution come from individuals already in its donor database. To be successful generating major and principal gifts a constellation of relationships must be built over time between a prospect or donor, the institution, volunteer leaders, subject experts and the gift officer who acts as the facilitator. All interactions are designed to engage, elicit and share information and create understanding of the impact of a potential commitment.

Major and principal gifts take time to cultivate and often evolve from small gifts to the annual fund. S. Sutton & Associates Inc. can help your team assess its readiness and develop capacity in major gifts staff and volunteers, analyze your major gift portfolio, and help you successfully apply best practices that blend well with your overall fundraising enterprise.

We can assist you to create structures of engagement to involve prospects in greater depth in your institution’s mission and priorities as well as effective structures to engage volunteers with prospect identification, cultivation and solicitation and stewardship.

Kate Sheehan, Executive Associate

With almost 40 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, Kate Sheehan is a seasoned fundraising and institutional advancement expert, with almost half her career spent at Northwestern University, where she rose through the ranks to serve as Director of Principal Gifts, followed by seven years as Senior Director of Development, Presidential Activities, supporting the university President in all fundraising work and serving as the liaison between the president’s office and the 300-member Alumni Relations and Development department. Kate’s experience also includes five years as the Vice President, Principal Gifts for the Lyric Opera of Chicago. She has served in senior roles with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, The Art Institute of Boston, and The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, among others.

Kate graduated from Indiana University/Bloomington with a BA in English. She holds certificates from University of Chicago and Advancement Resources and is the 2008 recipient of the Garfield Award (Northwestern University).

Kim West, Executive Associate

Kim West is a strategic and compassionate leader with over 30 years of experience driving impactful change across global NGOs and the private sector. Her expertise spans governance, organizational development, program strategy, and volunteer management, with a track record of transforming teams, securing multi-million-dollar funding, and leading inclusive initiatives across Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and the UK.

As a consultant, Kim has advised organizations such as CHRI, DAI Global, and the Danish Refugee Council, delivering solutions in governance, reintegration, and strategic planning.

Previously, she held senior leadership roles at African Initiatives, United Purpose, and VSO International, where she advanced inclusive education, gender equality, women/girls, indigenous communities and youth economic and social empowerment.

Kim also brings valuable private sector insight from earlier leadership roles at TD Financial Group, Kraft Foods, and Sun Life Financial.

She is known for her adaptive leadership, commitment to social justice, and ability to align mission-driven work with measurable outcomes.

Carolyn Hanson, Senior Associate

With more than 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, Carolyn Hanson specializes in Donor and Constituent Engagement. Her experience has included owning a successful nonprofit consulting business, working for the public information and philanthropy departments at amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, and providing writing services to various UN agencies, including UNDP’s HIV/AIDS Group, UNIFEM (now UN Women), the Office of the UNSGSA, and SDG Impact.

Carolyn graduated from Barnard College with a bachelor’s degree in English. As a grant writer, she has consistently raised more than $2 million per year. Her additional skills include direct mail marketing, copywriting, and editing. Carolyn’s wide-ranging experience has helped her develop subject-matter expertise in HIV/AIDS, global and public health, homelessness, LGBTQ+ rights, economic development, financial inclusion, animal welfare, and more.

As an independent consultant, she has worked with Housing Works, Bailey House, Bideawee, March of Dimes, and others.

Carolyn enjoys learning from her clients and helping them share their visions for a better world with donors and the public.

Chiayi Tsui, Associate

With more than 13 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, Chiayi specializes in research of all types and generates insights from reading between the lines, connecting the dots, and deciphering patterns. Her experience as a prospect researcher has been mostly in the context of higher education fundraising. She also has background conducting research for archives, special collections, and a political organization. Previous experience includes working as associate director of prospect research at the University of Chicago and manager of prospect management at the University of Toronto, and serving as an ambassador of the Formosa Foundation.

Chiayi graduated from the University of Chicago with a bachelor’s degree in visual arts and a minor in art history, and received her master’s degree in library science from Indiana University–Bloomington. She was American Library Association’s Spectrum Reach 21 Scholar and a US Department of State Title VII Grant recipient.

Jon Garrow, Associate

With more than 18 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, Jon Garrow specializes in advancement services. Some of his previous experience has included: director of prospect development at Montefiore Health System/Albert Einstein College of Medicine, head of fundraising operations at International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, and instructor in fundraising operations at Rice University.

Jon graduated from Chapman University with a bachelor of arts in music and from the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy with a master’s in philanthropy studies. He is currently completing an additional graduate degree in data science.

Jon is a leader in prospect development, serving on the board of Apra International, and received the 2024 Cecilia Hogan Award for contributions to the field.

Rex Fuller, Associate

Rex Fuller is an Associate who brings more than 30 years of leadership experience in the nonprofit sector. Rex is a seasoned fundraising strategist whose expertise spans large-scale campaigns, annual giving, strategic planning, and direct marketing. He is known for his ability to unite stakeholders around bold goals, elevate organizational visibility, and deliver measurable impact.

Rex’s career reflects a deep commitment to advancing equity, community engagement, and cultural enrichment. As Chief Executive Officer of The Center on Colfax, he led the development of two comprehensive three-year strategic plans, expanding services to include free mental health programs, disability initiatives, and young adult programming. Rex successfully navigated the organization through the COVID-19 pandemic, creating innovative virtual programming, including the first televised “virtual pride parade,” and spearheaded high-profile initiatives such as Stonewall 50, a year-long celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots.

Previously, as Vice President of Communications and Corporate Giving at The Center, Rex expanded corporate partnerships, oversaw brand transformation, and launched a new online information hub for the LGBTQ+ community. His leadership extended to producing Denver PrideFest, which attracts over 500,000 visitors and generates $1.5 million annually, and growing the Pride 5K from 200 to 4,000 runners, generating over $100,000 annually while introducing a peer-to-peer fundraising model.

Furthermore, Rex’s expertise extends to arts and culture, having served as Director of Sales and Marketing at Opera Colorado and in senior marketing roles at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts and the Boulder Philharmonic. There, he combined creative vision with strategic marketing to broaden audiences, forge community partnerships, and launch city-wide cultural festivals.

At S. Sutton & Associates Inc., Rex applies his expertise in fundraising campaigns, annual giving, and strategic planning to help clients clarify their goals, activate board leadership, and inspire donor communities. His work is guided by the belief that successful fundraising begins with a clear vision and is sustained by authentic connections and shared purpose.

Kenshi Yu, Junior Associate

Kenshi Yu has joined the firm as a Core Team Member focused on financial tracking and reporting, monthly performance plans, and vendor relations.

A graduate of the renowned Ateneo de Manila University with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management and a minor in Project Management, Kenshi has served as a Trade Support Analyst at Goldstar Securities, a Retail Sales Trader at Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation, and Head of Finance at the startup Patch Pals. Drawing on this foundation, Kenshi specializes in corporate partnerships and financial planning, with transferable expertise in client relationship management, strategic finance, and high-value transactions.

Kenshi is now expanding his expertise through his studies at the University of Toronto, pursuing a Bachelor of Information at the University of Toronto, focusing on the intersection of technology, information, and business, in preparation for a career that bridges finance, fundraising strategy, and innovation.

Roberto Rafael IV Cabrera, Junior Associate

As a Junior Associate, Roberto L. Cabrera IV serves as the firm’s Proposal Project Coordinator and Social Media Coordinator, driving community engagement and impactful nonprofit and philanthropic initiatives.

Cabrera is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Environmental Management with a minor in Environmental Law & Policy at the University of Toronto, complemented by coursework in Sustainable Cities at Johns Hopkins University. His background in economics and urban planning equips him with the analytical and strategic skills necessary to support the firm’s mission effectively.

Cabrera’s experience includes founding the Revitalize Project, an initiative that raised funds for medical and school supplies through tote bag sales; interning as a Building Administrator for a commercial property in Southeast Asia, where he managed tenant relations and operations; and conducting research on sustainable city development and economic growth.

Beyond his professional and academic pursuits, Cabrera thrives under pressure, embracing multiple responsibilities with grit. Inspired daily by his grandfather’s words, “Enjoy life,” he approaches challenges with determination and positivity, finding meaning in every step forward.

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