In a year defined by volatility and resource strain, many nonprofits have slipped into permanent survival mode—reacting to crises instead of steering toward long-term impact. But the more turbulent the environment becomes, the more essential a strategic pause is. Stepping back to clarify mission, prioritize goals, and make hard choices isn’t a luxury; it’s the only way to navigate uncertainty with intention rather than exhaustion.

Nonprofits today face a perfect storm—economic strain, policy shifts, and rapid tech evolution—while still battling chronic underfunding and data limitations. Sowen’s 2025 State of Social Impact Report distills insights from 500+ hours of research to reveal what’s holding organizations back and how leaders can reclaim time, embrace data, and tell more powerful stories to shift from survival to strategy.