Nonprofits Urged to Build Relationships and Protect Their Reputations

Speakers at Independent Sector’s annual conference urged nonprofits to build better relationships with government officials and zealously protect their reputations, because their organizations will be more important than ever over the next four years.

“In these crazy times, we’re in an amazing opportunity for adaptive learning,” said Dan Cardinali in his public debut as new chief executive of Independent Sector.

Mr. Cardinali took the helm earlier this year, replacing longtime leader Diana Aviv. Conference attendees expressed high hopes for his ability to steer the association in a positive direction.

“Dan’s entire career has been about finding, recognizing, nurturing the greatness in everyone around him,” said Patrick McCarthy, chief executive of the Casey Foundation, while introducing Mr. Cardinali. “I cannot think of a better leader at a more critical time for this organization and nation.”

There are also high expectations, especially in the wake of the election, for “bold leadership.” One lesson from the campaign season is that “people follow leaders more than they follow ideas,” said Josh Starr, chief executive at Phi Delta Kappa International.

Lynne Koss, regional donor-engagement director at Bethany Christian Services, agreed, saying that Mr. Cardinali’s job at Independent Sector has increased in importance in light of the election: “Someone from the sector needs to rise up and be a voice.”

Policy Fights

Regardless of anyone’s personal opinions about the results, elections present opportunities for nonprofit leaders to build relationships with new government officials, especially representatives in Congress, said Christopher Kush, chief executive of Soapbox Consulting.

He called on charity leaders to make connections with freshman representatives and senators as well as committee leaders who control the legislative process.

“You’re either at the table or you’re on the menu,” he warned.

That advice was echoed by Salin Geevarghese, deputy assistant secretary at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

“I’ve had a number of calls since last week from partners who are still trying to figure out, ‘Will our stance be oppositional?’ ” he said. “I would advocate to lean in; don’t step back.”

President-elect Donald Trump’s promise to reduce federal spending on domestic social programs puts many nonprofits in crisis mode, Tom Sheridan, president of the Sheridan Group, a firm that lobbies for nonprofit clients, told a group of conference attendees on Tuesday. But it could also create opportunity, he said.

Mr. Sheridan said policy victories would be hard fought and wouldn’t come “wrapped up in ribbons and bows.”

But he was confident nonprofits can be an effective policy voice during the Trump administration. He pointed to a survey his firm completed this year that showed that more than three-quarters of American voters thought nonprofits should flex more muscle in legislative debates.

Nonprofits faithfully serve people regardless of their politics, and in doing so remain a trusted part of society, Mr. Sheridan said.

“You would never ask anyone if they were a Republican or Democrat or if they voted for Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump,” he told attendees. “The charitable sector transcends the body politic.”

Top among the policy priorities for Independent Sector leaders and conference participants is protecting the charitable tax deduction.

Mending Deep Wounds

Mr. Cardinali said the report released by Independent Sector last year after its “Threads” listening tour foreshadowed many of the forces that led to the election results

“It’s a little painful to read it now,” he said. “We heard people say in America we have a problem with race, growing economic inequality.”

Philanthropy may be uniquely able to mend the ruptures in society because of the trust the public has in the sector, Mr. Cardinali said.

Nonprofits and foundations should pay special attention to maintaining their integrity, he said: “We as the community care about the means as much as we do the ends.”

Alex Daniels and Eden Stiffman contributed to this story.