Philadelphia, PA (July 23, 2025) — On July 22, leaders from across Greater Philadelphia’s nonprofit sector gathered at WHYY’s headquarters for the Nonprofit Leaders Group summer convening. In response to mounting fiscal and policy changes, organizers tailored the event to address needs presented during the group’s biweekly meetings, as well as its recent Needs Assessment survey. Nonprofit executives, sector experts, and community partners all gathered for a focused day of strategic discussion, learning, and collaborative action.
The convening is part of the The Nonprofit Leaders Group, a coalition of local leaders who have been meeting biweekly since January 2025 to exchange timely updates, share resources, and build community. With over 150 participating leaders from organizations ranging in size and focus, the group fosters a collaborative approach to meeting today’s challenges. The group is led by Cynthia Figueroa, President & CEO of JEVS Human Services, with support from a steering committee.
The convening was grounded in insights garnered from Nonprofit Leader Group meetings and its recent survey, which engaged over 600 Philadelphia-based nonprofit organizations and was made possible with support from Philadelphia Foundation and collaboration with the Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations (PANO) and Philanthropy Network Greater Philadelphia.
The event featured three key panels:
- Legal Insights and Updates on Executive Actions Impacting the Nonprofit Sector: moderated by Loree D. Jones, CEO of Philabundance and featured panelists Marcel Pratt, Managing Partner at Ballard Spahr and Morgen Cheshire, Managing Attorney at the Cheshire Law Group.
- Navigating Nonprofit Partnerships: Perspectives from the Field: moderated by Joe Pyle, President of the Scattergood Foundation and featured panelists Lindsay Kijewski, Partner at Sea Change Capital Partners, Sean Vereen, President and CEO of Heights Philadelphia, and Sharmain Matlock-Turner, CEO of the Urban Affairs Coalition.
- Public Funding Amidst Uncertainty and Political Shifts: moderated by Anne Gingerich, Executive Director of Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations (PANO), and featured panelists Dan Muroff, Principal at Mission Government Relations and Derek Green, Special Counsel at Bellevue Strategies.
“Philadelphia’s nonprofit leaders are once again proving their resilience and shared commitment to our community in the face of adversity,” said Cynthia F. Figueroa, President & CEO, JEVS Human Services. “By coming together and sharing insights at this convening, we strengthen our ability to rise to the moment – ensuring our sector adapts, innovates, and keeps its focus on serving people across Greater Philadelphia who need us most.”
Pedro A. Ramos, President and CEO, Philadelphia Foundation, reflected that: “At Philadelphia Foundation, in our roles as civic catalyst and trusted partner, we are committed to using our social capital to forge meaningful collaborations across sectors that help address the region’s most pressing challenges.” He continued: “Today’s convening strengthened a sense of community, grounded us in a shared fact base, and helped illuminate how we can provide meaningful support to the nonprofit sector.”
The Nonprofit Leaders Group Convening was made possible through support from Philadelphia Foundation and WHYY.
About the Nonprofit Leaders Group
The Nonprofit Leaders group works to ensure that nonprofit organizations remain informed and prepared to navigate an evolving fiscal and political landscape. For more information, email [email protected]. Nonprofit leaders of human services and health-related organizations are welcome to attend the group’s biweekly meetings. However, you must register: Nonprofit Leaders Group Registration. The group is founded and led by Cynthia F. Figueroa (JEVS Human Services), with support from the steering committee: Loree D. Jones Brown (Philabundance); Sharmain Matlock-Turner (Urban Affairs Coalition); Arun S. Prabhakaran (Urban Affairs Coalition); Marianne A. Fray (Maternity Care Coalition); Mike Pearson (PHMC); and Matt Rader (Philadelphia Horticultural Society).
