James Abruzzo – President, Abruzzo Associates Peter H. Hansen – Principal, Arts, Culture, and Media Philanthropic Advisors We’ve all read the press release: The Board announces that the President and CEO is stepping down “effective immediately,” with mutual appreciation on all sides and a national search to follow. Everyone in the field recognizes the script.
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James Abruzzo – Abruzzo Associates Peter H. Hansen – Principal, Arts, Culture, and Media Philanthropic Advisors In our first blog, we described the dismal record of nonprofit boards—and their CEOs—in creating healthy succession plans. It would seem that organizations that plan well in advance of a leadership transition are miles ahead. And, in some ways,
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The Facts Since 1991, James Abruzzo and Abruzzo Associates have been surveying cultural organizations to find out how they plan for CEO succession. The League of American Orchestras, the Association of Art Museum Directors, the Association of Science and Technology Centers, and other nonprofit trade associations have assisted in administering these surveys. The results, consistent
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By Robert E. Wahlers and Michelle Hurley The passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (also known as OBBBA, H.R. 1, or the 2025 Reconciliation Act) on July 4, 2025 introduces several changes to charitable giving that take effect in 2026. These modifications present both opportunities and strategic challenges for nonprofits and their donors.
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At the most recent AFP International Conference, Sea Change Strategies presented its latest excellent study on midlevel donors (supporters contributing between $1,000 and $10,000) – The Missing Middle: Part Four. To categorize their report as eye opening is an understatement. Frequently, fundraisers treat midlevel donors either as a prospect pool for major gifts or as
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In today’s higher education environment, small colleges face intense pressure to balance limited budgets, meet student needs, and remain mission-driven. According to BestColleges.com, more than 81 institutions have shuttered their doors since 2020, with additional closures predicted. Financial sustainability is a growing concern and one that demands bold, integrated strategies across advancement, finance, and leadership.
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While donations to healthcare amounted to $60.51 billion in 2024 according to the latest Giving USA Report, the top 50 gifts totaled $16 billion with individuals like Mike Bloomberg, Reed Hastings and Patty Quillin, and Michael and Susan Dell leading the list. That’s more than a quarter of the giving from the largest donors. With
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Leadership transitions are a pivotal, and sometimes vulnerable, moment for any nonprofit organization. Whether prompted by a long-anticipated retirement or a sudden departure, changes at the top can stir uncertainty, disrupt momentum, and, if poorly handled, threaten mission impact. That’s why succession planning shouldn’t be an afterthought or a reactionary scramble. It should be an
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Each year, the Giving USA Report offers the most comprehensive overview of charitable giving in the United States and the 2025 edition, which covers data from 2024, is no exception. As proud members of The Giving Institute, The Angeletti Group is pleased to bring you this timely analysis. Here’s a breakdown of what the numbers
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By David Beecher As I began drafting a piece on the value of board retreats—a highly visible and strategic element of good governance—I found myself continually returning to the quieter, often overlooked aspects of board governance. While retreats and officer elections are headline-worthy, effective governance is equally rooted in foundational practices that rarely make the
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