On Thursday September 25th, nonprofit leaders from across Philadelphia gathered at the NewCourtland Conference Center for the Sarah Ralston Foundation’s Strategic Networking: Shaping Support Beyond the Grant Cycle session, part of our Stronger Together Nonprofit Learning Series. The energy in the room was undeniable — as one attendee shared, “It was so unbelievably heartwarming to be together in a roomful of energized leaders striving with passion and courage to improve quality of life for vulnerable seniors in the Philadelphia region. The energy was so uniting and so positive in thinking about creative and innovative ways to advance the strength of the ecosystem.”
We began with introductions, giving each organization the opportunity to share its mission and one or two key updates. This not only gave everyone a voice but also provided a clear snapshot of what the nonprofit landscape for older adults in Philadelphia looks like today.
From there, participants moved into breakout discussions, sharing challenges and opportunities across eight key areas:
- Fundraising – engaging younger donors, overcoming the loss of federal support, and navigating founder transitions.
- Governance & Boards – strengthening relationships, planning for succession, and balancing mission with administration.
- Reaching Underserved Populations – developing inclusive messaging and embracing trust-based philanthropy.
- Advocacy – addressing federal and state policy impacts, and increasing education on rules and regulations.
- Grant Writing & Funding – finding resources to support smaller organizations, tackling competitive funding environments, and securing long-term sustainability.
- Program Evaluation & Impact – balancing quantitative and qualitative results, making the case for support, and building long-term evaluation capacity.
- Cross-Sector Collaborations – building partnerships that last, knowing when to pursue or pause collaborations, and identifying new opportunities with corporate and community stakeholders.
- Volunteer Recruitment & Retention – addressing skill gaps, improving reliability, and exploring strategies such as volunteer coordinators, stipends, and gift cards to strengthen engagement.
Facilitators played an invaluable role in guiding these conversations — offering expertise, asking the right questions, and encouraging honest dialogue. Their leadership ensured that every voice at the table could be heard.
In addition, The Sarah Ralston Foundation sought to understand more deeply ways we might help, from offering additional trainings and convenings to advocating with funders and policymakers, supporting capacity-building tools, and creating new opportunities for collaboration.
Executive Director Heather Finnegan shared, “This is just a start, and we look forward to many more of these conversations. Your needs are our needs — and the insights you shared will serve as a roadmap for how SRF can best support nonprofits beyond the grant cycle.”
We are grateful to everyone who joined us for this energizing morning. Together, we are building stronger connections, sharing innovative solutions, and shaping the future of services for older adults in Philadelphia.