In early 2025, nonprofits across the Greater Washington, DC region faced a perfect storm: sudden funding losses, rising demand for services, and deep uncertainty. A July survey of more than 240 local nonprofits found 38% had lost federal funding. Yet, far more, 61%, reported being affected by policy changes overall, showing the impact goes well beyond federal grant dollars. In response, the Greater Washington Community Foundation launched the Community Resilience Initiative to help nonprofits continue their work without disruption. From the outset, the initiative was anchored in flexibility, collaboration, and data. Based on insights from the survey and ongoing conversations with nonprofits, three things became clear early on.

The ninth annual report on trends in philanthropy from the Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy aims to help fundraisers, grantmakers, donors, consultants, and more anticipate and prepare for what's next in our field. Five years since the COVID-19 pandemic reshaped our daily lives and presented us with challenges unlike any we’d faced before. Half a decade later, we’re left to reflect on how much has truly changed — and what remains the same.