Strengthening the Nonprofit Sector in a Time of Change
July 2024 â December 2025
Letter from the President & CEO
Dear Colleagues and Partners:
Amidst a tumultuous year for the nonprofit sectorâfrom cascading funding cuts to threats to long-term sustainabilityâTSNE and its staff, partners, and supporters have been a source of strength and clarity for me. I continue to hold onto hope by drawing inspiration from the resilience, compassion, and commitment of those continuing to fight for the society we want for ourselves, our children, and generations to come.
At TSNE, weâve spent the last year focused on our mission of building a more just and equitable society by strengthening the capacity and sustainability of nonprofits. From expanding the strategic supports provided to our fiscally sponsored organizations, to building the foundation for new advocacy, policy, and thought leadership work, weâve made strides in continuing to serve the nonprofit ecosystem here in Massachusetts and beyond.
Over the past 18 months, weâre proud to have supported more than 50 fiscally sponsored organizations, placed 8 leaders in mission-critical roles, welcomed 31 consultants to our cohort learning programs, and hosted our first bi-annual flagship event, Equity Forward, bringing together nearly 400 changemakers focused on exploring concrete strategies to lead with equity in uncertain times.
As we look at the work ahead, we do so with clarity and conviction. We remain steadfast in our belief in a more just and equitable society and equally committed to our work in service of that belief. In the months and years ahead, weâll continue to invest in leadership, refining systems and processes, and using data to guide strategic decision-making. TSNE will continue to deepen our policy, advocacy, and thought leadership work, elevating the issues that shape our sector and advance our mission. Given the dramatic shifts the sector has faced over the past years, it is clear there is no return to the âway things were.â Instead, the task before us is to build something new together that reflects todayâs realities and tomorrowâs needs.
With the support of youâour partners, funders, and co-conspiratorsâweâll continue to persevere and advance meaningful progress in service of a more resilient, equitable, and fully resourced nonprofit sector.
Yours in service,
Elaine Ng President and CEO, TSNE
Convening, Connecting, and Advancing Equity
When conditions are complex and communities face compounding inequities, convening is a strategy. TSNEâs convenings strengthen relationships across the nonprofit, philanthropic, and public sectorsâsupporting honest dialogue, shared learning, and coordinated action in service of equity and community wellbeing.
Equity Forward
In March 2025, TSNE hosted Equity Forward: Creating a Just World Together, a oneday, in-person conference at the University of Massachusetts Boston. Designed for changemakers across the nonprofit, philanthropic, public, and private sectors, the conference centered on practical strategies, peer learning, and cross-sector collaboration to deepen equity practice and foster systemic change. 400
Nonprofit leaders, funders, consultants, and community partners who attended Equity Forward
Equity Forward reinforced a core belief at TSNE: equity is not just a statementâit is an ongoing practice that requires daily commitment. Participants left with concrete tools, shared language, and renewed clarity about how equity shows up in governance, staffing, funding relationships, and organizational culture. By prioritizing real-world application and peer learning, the conference helped move equity from aspiration to action.
Across plenaries, workshops, and facilitated conversations, participants engaged with themes including:
Equity as an ongoing practice embedded in daily decision-making
Power, accountability, and shared leadership
Building resilient organizations in the face of political and financial uncertainty
The speakers were incredible. It was very well organized, intentional, meaningful, and informative. I appreciated the tangible and applicable takeaways from each and every session. It was also incredibly inspiring and motivating!â
-Equity Forward attendee
The Equity Forward conference was made possible through the generous support of:
My biggest takeaway from this incredible conference was recognizing our power when we come together as a collective force for good.â
-Equity Forward attendee
In this photo, Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell speaks at the Equity Forward reception, inspiring community leaders to advance equity through action.
Responding to a Shifting Policy and Funding Landscape
As federal priorities shift and funding landscapes grow more unpredictable, nonprofit leaders are being asked to adapt in real time, often with limited information and little margin for error. In this moment, the sector needs more than transactional support; it requires trusted guidance, timely information, and tools to help organizations make thoughtful decisions that align with their values and missions.
WhatTSNE Built to Meet theMoment
Unified Advancement Team
TSNE aligned fundraising, communications, policy, and advocacy into one advancement team. By working as a team, weâre reducing internal silos and strengthening how we build resources, tell our story, and advance equity-driven solutionsâso our partners and communities have more support, stronger visibility, and greater influence where decisions are made.
Thought Leadership for Practical Decision-Making
Through accessible, practice-forward thought leadership, TSNE translated complex and often abstract challenges into clear, actionable guidance for nonprofit leaders, grounding big questions in realworld organizational realities.
How to Hire Humans: Building a Recruitment Process Based in Equity and Inclusion
Centralized Resource Hub
To reduce information overload and increase access to reliable guidance, TSNE developed a centralized resource hub offering timely, curated tools and insights to help nonprofits navigate policy shifts and funding uncertainty.
Should We Still Do Annual Reviews?
Navigating Performance Management
Logic Models: Powerful Tools to Help You Understand and Communicate Your Programâs Impact Statement on Effects of the Government Shutdown on the Nonprofit Sector
Partnering for Operational Strength
Effective operations are more than administrative tasksâthey are essential to protecting and advancing an organizationâs mission. In an environment shaped by funding uncertainty, staffing pressures, and increased compliance demands, nonprofits need reliable systems and trusted partners to stay focused on the work that matters most. TSNE partners with organizations to strengthen the operational foundations that make impact possible, providing shared infrastructure, fiscal stewardship, and strategic support that allow missions to grow sustainably and respond to change with confidence.
Building Something Bold: How Castle of Our Skins Is Creating Space for Black Artistry
âEveryone weâve worked with at TSNE has been easy to work with, knowledgeable, and just wonderful people,â says Wells. âWorking with people you trust makes working together much more fulfilling.â
-Dr. Ciyadh Wells, Executive Director and guitarist, Castle of Our Skins
Expanding PeopleCentered HR Support
To meet growing demand for accessible, values-aligned people operations support, TSNE expanded our Shared Services HR offerings. We help organizations strengthen core policies, navigate complex employee and workplace issues, and build healthier cultures, so teams can do their best work and leaders can make decisions with clarity and care.
Supporting Innovation with Strong Financial Stewardship
TSNE supports more than 50 fiscally sponsored organizations and projects, providing the financial infrastructure and oversight that enables mission-driven work across equity, education, advocacy, and community-led initiatives.
Strengthening Systems and Communication
This year, TSNE strengthened our fiscal sponsorship systems and communications to clarify expectations and improve support. Improvements included clearer guidance on grantmaking through fiscal sponsorship, enhanced onboarding, a more structured approach to risk review, and expanded support for organizations navigating financial challenges. Together, these updates promote transparency, consistency, and shared accountability.
Blue Butterfly Collaborative: Bringing Joyful, Inclusive Learning to Haitian Classrooms
âTSNEâs experience in operations allows us to do our work better. Youâre good at what youâre good at, and weâre good at what weâre good at. That means I can walk into a funder meeting and say with confidence that our grants will be managed responsiblyâbecause I know TSNE has that expertise.â
-Suzanne Cole, Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director, Blue Butterfly Collaborative
A Decade of Impact: School and State Finance Project at 10 Years
â[The partnership with TSNE has] allowed us to stay focused solely on our mission. We donât have to worry about back-office functions. If we need legal, HR, or contract support, we have access to it. That efficiency lets us spend more time on what has the greatest impact: achieving equitable funding for students.â
-Michael Morton, Deputy Executive Director, Communications & Operations, School and State Finance Project
Space as a Strategic Asset
Through Property Services, TSNE continued to support our regionâs mission-driven organizations by providing access to affordable, community-centric workspaces, helping nonprofits remain rooted in their communities while reducing administrative burden and operational risk.
In 2025, the NonProfit Center in Downtown Boston celebrated 20 years of serving local nonprofits and being a trusted community partner. To celebrate this milestone, we completed a refresh of the NonProfit Center brand including a new, modernized logo, with plans to fully introduce the new look and feel in the coming months.
700
Developing Strong, Adaptive Nonprofit Leaders
Registrations to train nonprofit professionals through the Better Nonprofit Training Series, strengthening foundational leadership skills and management practices.
In periods of economic volatility, policy shifts, and growing demands on mission-driven organizations, leadership is one of the sectorâs most important sources of stability. Nonprofit leaders play a vital role in delivering impact, navigating uncertainty, fostering staff wellbeing, managing resources responsibly, and upholding organizational values during times of change. TSNEâs leadership development work starts from a simple truth: resilience is built not just through skills alone. It is strengthened through confidence, clarity, and connection.
[TSNE] was the first space in a long time where my depth wasnât âa lot,â where complexity wasnât something to dial down, and where community felt like an actual resource again.â
-DEIB for Consultants Participant
10
Nonprofit leaders received structured support through the Whatâs Next Leadership Transition cohort, which helps leaders reflect, build community, confidently navigate moments of professional transition.
16
Consultants participated in the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging for Consultants program, deepening their ability to embed equity and inclusion into nonprofit client work.
15
Participants in the Emerging Consultants of Color program built sustainable consulting practices. The program expands access to opportunities, resources, and networks, and aims to increase sector diversity.
8
Nonprofit leaders were placed in roles through TSNEâs Executive Search services, as we partnered with organizations to identify leaders equipped to guide teams through transition, complexity, and growth.
11
Organizations were supported through tailored Consulting engagements focused on strategic planning, leadership development, and organizational effectiveness.
Across our programs, TSNE supported leaders and organizations to adapt without losing sight of equity, sustainability, and people-centered practice. From foundational management training to specialized programs supporting consultants and executives, our approach blends practical tools with reflective learning and peer support. This comprehensive approach ensures leaders are equipped to respond thoughtfully and effectively to whatever challenges lie ahead.
Executive Team
TSNE Leadership OperationsTeam
Elaine Ng President and Chief Executive Officer
Geoff Lamont General Counsel
Gloria RamĂłn Chief Strategy Officer
Luzdy Rivera Chief People and Culture Officer
Michael Ibrahim Chief Program and Impact Officer
Noah Stockman Chief Financial Officer
Board of Directors
Jaye Y. Smith, Chair Founder & CEO
FSG Consultants
Angela Brown Chief of Economic Development
Metropolitan Area Planning Council
Ayisha Lee Director of Annuity Product Management
TIAA
AyannaParris Director, Consulting
BobbyBrickey SeniorDirector, People and Culture
BriannaCarr Senior Director, Fiscal Sponsorship
ChiaraWegener Director, Communications and Marketing
EdwithThéogÚne Director, Policy and Advocacy
Beth Chandler, Vice Chair Executive Director
Point32Health Foundation
Clement V. James, Treasurer
Senior Director of Financial Reporting and Controller Year Up
David Shapiro
President & CEO
YMCA of Greater Boston
Erin McAleer
President & CEO
Project Bread
Ellen Wang
Senior Director, Shared Services
Faisal Abid
Senior Director, Property Services
Luke Alonso Director, Data and Business Intelligence
Phil Audier Controller
Sam Chery, Esq. Deputy General Counsel
Jay Kim
Executive Director Foundation for MetroWest
Marcos L. Popovich, Clerk
Director of Grantmaking
Nellie Mae Education Foundation
Megha Vadula
Founding Principal Mallard Investment Partners
Nancy B. Gardiner Of Counsel
Hemenway and Barnes, LLP
FY25 Financials
July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025
Donor Restricted for TSNE Programs
Donor Restricted for Fiscally Sponsored Organizations
Note: All values are shown in thousands.
FiscallySponsored Organizations
Revenues and expenses generated by TSNEâs fiscally sponsored organizations. These are nonprofit projects or initiatives that operate under the legal and taxexempt status of a larger, established nonprofit organization, like TSNE. This arrangement allows these projects to focus on their mission while TSNE provides administrative support, financial management, and compliance oversight.
TSNEProgrammaticServices
Revenue and expense generated by TSNE's services and programs.
TSNEAdministrative Operations
Revenue and expense related to TSNE management and administrative functions
Third Sector New England, Inc. (TSNE)
89 South Street, Suite 700, Boston, MA 02111 (617)523-6565
tsne.org
In 2025, TSNE was named a Top 100 Women-Led Business by The Womenâs Edge and The Boston Globe. The Top 100 list highlights organizations led by women that model excellence and impact. At TSNE, our work is rooted in equity, belonging, and partnership. This recognition reaffirms our commitment to supporting nonprofits with practical capacity building, steady operational infrastructure, and spaces that help leaders navigate change with care and clarity. Weâre proud to stand among so many women-led organizations shaping a stronger, more equitable Massachusetts.