An Organization Made up of Organizations
Suzanne Smith,CEO and Founder - Social Impact Architects
“Celebrate what you've accomplished but raise the bar a little higher each time you succeed.”
- MIA HAMM
This summer, the World Cup reminded us that halftime is about more than taking a break. It is the moment when teams step away from the action, study the field and ask important questions: What is working? Where are we losing ground? What needs to change before we head back out?
The midpoint of the year offers social sector leaders the same opportunity. It is a chance to reflect on where we have been, reassess where we are going and decide what still matters most. Summer gives us valuable space to rest, realign and return for the second half with greater clarity and intention.
That’s where our annual Summer Trends Edition comes in. More than a collection of our most popular posts, it is a snapshot of what is resonating across the social sector — the ideas prompting strategy shifts, boardroom conversations and bold change making.
And there is plenty to consider at this year’s midpoint. Nonprofit leaders are operating during a period of rapid change, growing need and continued uncertainty. The field keeps shifting, sometimes before we have had time to adjust our game plan.
Whether you are planning your next move or simply catching your breath, we hope these help you head into the second half of 2026 with renewed energy and purpose.
Hottest Topic:
How Can Nonprofits Build Trust Through Radical Accountability?
One nonprofit’s misstep can shake confidence in the entire sector, which means trust can no longer be assumed or treated as a back-office responsibility. This post offers step-by-step ideas for practicing radical accountability – from clear plans and honest results to transparent course corrections and modern safeguards – so nonprofits can build credibility before a crisis puts it to the test.
Most Popular Blog Post:
2026 Nonprofit Trends: Nonprofit Boards as a Force Multiplier
Nonprofit boards can be a powerhouse in helping organizations achieve their goals. This post shows how boards can move from the sidelines to become strategic force multipliers through stronger stewardship, greater transparency, courageous conversations and meaningful engagement between meetings. Read it for a playbook of clear, actionable ways to turn board potential into organizational momentum.
Most Popular Guest Blog Post:
Why Mindfulness Is a Nonprofit Performance Tool – Not Just a Wellness Trend
Summer is a natural time to reset before heading into the second half. In this guest post, Dorsey Standish shows how mindfulness helps nonprofit leaders improve focus, resilience and performance – on and off the field.
Best Blog Post for Your Summer Beach Reading:
Top 10 Moonshot Goals for the Social Sector
Summer is the perfect time to look beyond the next play and imagine what winning could mean for the entire social sector. Add this ambitious list of 10 moonshot goals to your beach reading and see which big idea you would put into play.
Most Likely to Succeed - #WayBackWeekend Blog Post:
Looking for the Perfect Match? 4 Nonprofit Interview Tips for Hiring the Right Employees
The right hire can change the game. This #WayBackWeekend favorite shares four interview tips to help nonprofits build a stronger team and find candidates most likely to succeed.
ICYDK: In addition to sharing favorite throwback blogs on social media, we also spotlight fresh ideas, useful resources and emerging trends from nonprofit and social sector leaders. Find your preferred social media channel through our latest Linktree and follow us!
Favorite TrendSpotter: Sean Hale
Sean Hale reminds nonprofit leaders that a strong back office is essential to mission success. Through his company, Nonprofit CFOs, he shares candid, accessible insights on finance, operations and the organizational systems that help nonprofits perform at their best.Sean was also a member of the inaugural UT Austin LBJ School Social Entrepreneurship Certificate cohort, which is now preparing to launch its third year. His approachable trainings turn complex financial topics into practical action. I encourage you to follow him!
Favorite Quote:
"Clients do not come first. Employees come first. If you take care of your employees, they will take care of the clients." – Richard Branson, CEO and Founder of Virgin Group
No team can win when its best players keep leaving. Our 2026 post, “Nonprofit Turnover Is a Warning Sign. Are You Paying Attention?” examines what rising turnover is telling nonprofit leaders and why taking care of employees is essential to taking care of the people and communities they serve.
Favorite Quote Pic:
How Nonprofits Navigate an 80-Year Shift: Strategy Lessons from the Field
The field is shifting, and small adjustments will not be enough. Use this six-part checklist, drawn from my forthcoming book, The Nonprofit Flywheel, out Oct. 1, 2026, to assess whether your organization is ready to navigate an 80-year transition and build relevance for the next era.
Top Social Media Post:
Resilience at the Edge of the World: What Antarctica Teaches Us About Leading Through Uncertainty
Who doesn’t love a penguin? This fan-favorite post explores what penguins and expedition teams can teach us about teamwork, adaptability and building organizations strong enough to stay in the game. Now it is the centerpiece of one of my new leadership sessions – Built to Bend: Designing Resilient Nonprofits.
Most Talked-About Framework:
Giving USA 2026: Winning Donors Through Head, Heart and Hands
A winning fundraising strategy takes more than a strong ask. This post recaps Giving USA 2026 and other recent fundraising research while introducing the Head, Heart and Hands Behavioral Philanthropy Framework – showing nonprofits how to build donor confidence with evidence, create connection through stories and offer meaningful ways to act. The framework – while simple – clearly resonated with readers, and we are glad it did.
Most Talked-About Conversations: Our Podcast Library
Some of the best ideas emerge when leaders have candid conversations. This year I joined podcast hosts and fellow changemakers to explore the issues shaping leadership, nonprofits, business and social impact.
Our growing podcast library includes conversations about:
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"Stop Pushing Harder: How Great Nonprofits Build Momentum" — Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership
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"The Blueprint for Creative Impact" — Knowbox Dance
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"Negotiating Change: Why Influence Matters More Than Power" — Art of Feminine Negotiation
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"Emotional Intelligence, Empathy & Impact" — A Voice and Beyond
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"Philanthropy for Everyone: How Small Acts Create Big Social Change” — The Raw Vibe
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"How CSR Drives Loyalty, Talent and Trust" — Your Customer, Your Success
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"Purpose as the Engine of Performance" — Productivity Smarts
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"Scaling Social Impact: Helping Organizations Create Change" — Tell Me What It’s Like
Whether you are walking, traveling or enjoying a well-earned summer break, find the conversation that speaks to you and press play. You may discover an idea that helps you return to the field with a new perspective.
Favorite Reader Comment:
Within a week of publication, “Where Everybody Knows Your Name: Why Belonging May Be the Next Frontier in Community Design,” which we were honored to co-publish with Marc J. Lane on his Capital and Conscience Substack, had already sparked dozens of comments, emails and social media mentions. One response by Randi Fiat captured why belonging and connection matter far beyond loneliness:
“I'm so glad you wrote about this. Social health is now being considered a third pillar of health alongside physical and mental health. Beyond combating loneliness and building community, there is an opportunity to bridge understanding across all sorts of divides through conversation and connection. I created a conversation card game to help people of all ages in most social situations "bridge understanding" by sharing our life stories. We forget that when looking through a different lens, we have more in common than we think. Thanks for this post.”
As the World Cup reminded us, the second half is rarely won by standing still. It belongs to those who keep showing up, adjust when the field shifts and continue moving the ball forward.
So, as you head into the rest of the year, take a moment to recognize how far you have come. Rest when you need to. Revisit your game plan. Then return to the work with renewed clarity, courage and purpose. Your leadership matters, and the next play may be the one that changes everything — for your organization and the communities you serve.
We'd love to hear how you're resetting now for the remainder of the year.
Social TrendSpotter is a weekly blog created by Social Impact Architects®, a social change agency that provides consulting and learning experiences to changemakers, working alongside them to design creative and transformative solutions to social issues.