A note from Bethany Rubin Henderson, CEO

The 2025 fiscal year was a hard year for nonprofits.

Already overstretched leadership and staff confronted increased demand while navigating near-constant uncertainty, leaving little time to be strategic. Long-term strategic approaches became near-impossible for many, as they grappled with an onslaught of immediate crises.

In response, Compass Pro Bono pivoted to meet nonprofit leaders where they were, creating space and time for strategic thinking to inform rapid action. Alongside our core pro bono consulting engagements and board matching, we launched free executive coaching, quickly recruiting a strong pool of experienced, certified coaches to support nonprofit leaders navigating uncertainty. We integrated AI service lines across all of our programs to help nonprofits understand the implications of this rapidly evolving technology for both their work and their missions. We also revived and revamped Compass Connect Conversations as a series of hands-on workshops offering bite-sized, real-time actions nonprofits could take in response to rapid change, with topics ranging from introducing AI to leveraging networks to financial scenario planning. And at our annual Summit, we created space for nonprofit leaders to pause, reflect, and regain their footing together. This past year reaffirmed why Compass Pro Bono is needed, and why your support matters so much.

None of this would have happened without you. Volunteers who raised their hands. Donors who believed that a strong, stable local nonprofit sector is worth investing in, even (or, perhaps, especially) in times of turmoil. Nonprofits that continue to trust us to guide them through challenging times. Because of you, Compass Pro Bono is entering this next year not just steady, but ready. We are building on what worked, reaching more leaders and nonprofits, and bringing this essential support to more communities. We are grateful to be moving forward together.