June 2026 – Founders Forum by Rollin Schuster

Has Anything Changed?

I have been working with nonprofit organizations for more than 30 years, and during that time the challenges confronting our sector have remained remarkably consistent.

Recently, I searched Google for the top issues facing nonprofits today. The response was:
“Nonprofits currently face major challenges in financial sustainability, workforce shortages, rising community demands, and shifting political or tax environments. Organizations are actively managing disruptions in government funding while fighting to cultivate donors amidst broader economic uncertainty.”

Sound familiar?

My guess is that if Google had existed 30 years ago, the answer would have looked very similar.

The reality is that many nonprofit leaders continue to face the same pressures they have always faced: doing more with less, meeting growing community needs, attracting and retaining talent, and finding sustainable sources of funding. While the challenges may evolve around the edges, the fundamental question remains unchanged:

How do we build stronger, more sustainable organizations capable of delivering on their missions?  At TANGO, that question sits at the heart of our work.

Our mission is simple: to help nonprofits thrive…from a business perspective.

We believe that mission impact and business strength go hand in hand. The stronger the organization, the greater its ability to serve. Financial stability, operational efficiency, strategic partnerships, talent development, and revenue diversification are not distractions from mission—they are the engines that power it.

As TANGO continues to grow in both membership and geographic reach, our ability to support nonprofit organizations continues to expand. Yet our success is ultimately measured by your success. We encourage our members to lean on us, challenge us, and engage with us as we continue building resources and solutions that address the sector’s most pressing needs.  In particular, financial sustainability remains one of the greatest opportunities for positive change. The old saying, “No money, no mission,” is as relevant today as it has ever been. Sustainable organizations create sustainable impact.

Perhaps it’s time for a shift in mindset. Rather than focusing solely on surviving today’s challenges, let’s focus on building organizations that are positioned to thrive tomorrow.

There is a better way, and TANGO was created to help nonprofit leaders find it.

As we head into the summer months, I encourage you to think about what changes could make your organization stronger, more resilient, and more sustainable. Then reach out to us. We would welcome the opportunity to help.

Have a wonderful summer, and thank you for all that you do to strengthen our communities.

Best regards,
Rollin Schuster
Founder & President
TANGO – The Alliance for Nonprofit Growth & Opportunity