YEAR IN REVIEW.

45 yEARS OF CRE: A LEGACY OF LEADERSHIP.

This past year, CRE proudly celebrated 45 years of service to the nonprofit sector—a milestone that reflects our enduring commitment to equity, capacity building, and transformative leadership. This anniversary was not just a reflection on the past but a bold affirmation of our future. Throughout the year, we engaged our community in honoring the visionary leaders who have shaped our field and inspired generations of changemakers.

As part of this celebration, we recognized three luminaries whose work embodies the heart of CRE: Laleh Ispahani, Open Society Foundations, for her work advancing democracy and justice; Jean Lobell, CRE Leader for 22 years, for her enduring contributions to leadership development and organizational transformation; and Benjamin F. Lorick, CRE Founding Board Member, for his lifetime of dedication to education, activism, and CRE’s mission. These honorees exemplify the values we hold dear—courageous leadership, deep-rooted equity, and unyielding dedication to community. Their contributions continue to ripple across the sector and serve as beacons for what’s possible when we invest in people and purpose.

"I believe, you can propel the next generation of lightseekers, whom we so urgently, urgently need. It may be a long road, because we’re in for something now, but it is far from futile. One very famous lightseeker said, ‘The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.’ And on the arc of that universe, I still believe that the United States is still bending toward justice, to becoming a more inclusive, tolerant, and yes, loving place to be. I’m really grateful for the role you all are going to play in this process, CRE—[to] build, fortify, equip, and drive the nonprofit sector… to make sure people are resilient, and have the tools...[to be] adaptable…strategic…and leaderful."

- Laleh Ispahani, Open Society Foundations

LEANING INTO AI.

Over the past year, CRE stepped forward as a guide for nonprofits navigating the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence.

We launched an initiative designed to make AI more accessible to nonprofit leaders—especially those leading smaller, under-resourced organizations. We hosted a webinar, "Harnessing AI for Nonprofit Capacity-Building," which drew over 400 registrants, signaling widespread interest in exploring these tools, their implications, and potential use cases.
We also introduced a curated AI Prompt Library filled with practical examples tailored to nonprofit contexts. This resource gave leaders a starting point for experimentation and innovation.
Our AI Bootcamps for Nonprofits—offered to three cohorts—provided deep, hands-on learning in an inclusive, equity-centered environment. These offerings opened doors for leaders eager to explore new possibilities while staying true to their missions.

What Bootcamp Participants Are Saying

Shanikwa Lemon, Paterson Alliance, Chief Program Officer

"I am grateful that I was able to participate in the CRE AI Bootcamp. This series of workshops has been a gamechanger in my work... Throughout these couple of weeks, I was able to take my LED programming campaign that I was working on to the next level. I’m definitely looking forward to connecting with CRE to see how we can bring this workshop to my members here at Paterson Alliance."

rebranding with strategic intent.

In February 2024, we proudly unveiled CRE’s new brand—an evolution that brings our visual identity, messaging, and digital presence into sharper alignment with who we are and the future we’re building toward. Our revamped website and visuals now reflect the vibrant, people-first nature of our work and the strength of our community partnerships.

This rebrand wasn’t cosmetic; it was deeply strategic. It allowed us to better articulate our values, elevate our thought leadership, and provide an engaging and intuitive platform for clients and partners. This transformation laid the groundwork for stronger connections, clearer storytelling, and expanded reach—especially as we continue sharing new tools, ideas, and reflections with our growing network.

BEFORE...

AFTER...

CREATING SPACES FOR CONNECTION + EXCHANGE.

Throughout the year, we continued our Monthly Exchange series, a space for nonprofit professionals to gather, share, reflect, and learn in community. These sessions tackled themes like organizational wellness, leadership transitions, and strategic planning—all grounded in equity and care.

We believe that transformation happens in community—and our Exchanges continue to reflect that belief. Each month, we connected nonprofit leaders, practitioners, and visionaries in dialogue that was both nourishing and practical, offering an opportunity to slow down and be in generative conversation.

LEADING LEADERS.

This past year, CRE deepened its commitment to cultivating resilient, equity-centered leadership through our signature cohort-based programs. Our marquee program, the Leadership Caucus provided a reflective space for senior leaders navigating complexity and change. Our HPMI Summer Intensive 2024 offered a generative, skill-building experience for high-potential managers. And our AI Bootcamps invited participants to explore digital innovation in supportive learning environments.

These programs did more than build skills—they built trust, networks, and renewed energy for the work ahead. In a sector where burnout and turnover remain high, these spaces served as anchors for nonprofit professionals seeking both support and growth.

SHARING OUR VOICE IN THE SECTOR.

Women of Color Leaders: Shifting Power Dynamics within the Board–Executive Relationship.

"An upsetting number of women of color in nonprofit and philanthropic leadership positions have, over the past two years alone, been fired or forced out of their organizations, or “chosen” to leave, or are confronting tense-to-hostile relationships with their boards around their leadership and stewardship of their organizations.

Numerous reports reflect on the exceptional pressures that women of color face when they are in leadership and the hardships and inequities that they must overcome.1 Their experiences reflect the ways in which some women of color leaders are treated to a “know your place” lesson in terms of power: as soon as a woman of color goes too far and makes a board or staff member feel uncomfortable, she either gets her hand slapped or sees the values misalignment and makes her way out. Boards entrenched in the status quo of dominant culture are having difficulty with acknowledging and adjusting to the evolving realities of what powerful leaders look like. There is a power struggle at play—an old guard having to make way for a new guard—and backlashes are ensuing."

Tiloma Jayasinghe, President & CEO, Community Resource Exchange

community as a value.

Connection remained at the heart of our work over the past year. We hosted our CRE Leadership Caucus Alumni Reunion (January 2024) and an Open House (August 2024)—opportunities to reconnect with past cohort members, long-time partners, and new friends. These events reminded us that CRE’s true strength lies in its community—and that leadership grows when we nurture relationships over time.

Report abuse