Juneteenth, observed each year on June 19, marks the day in 1865 when the news arrived in Galveston, Texas that the Civil War had ended and that enslaved people in the U.S. were free. Also known as Emancipation Day, it took two years after President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation for that news of freedom to reach the enslaved people of Texas. The joy with which this news was greeted has translated into this national holiday, which is a celebration of African American culture, community, diversity and, most of all, resilience. 

The history of African Americans, and their resilience in the face of enslavement, has often been overlooked or marginalized in American history. This has never been truer than today, where attempts to minimize Black culture and contributions continue. From painting over the “Black Lives Matter” plaza sign in Washington, D.C., to the Department of Defense removing a page about the military career of Jackie Robinson (which was restored after much vocal pushback), to the U.S. Navy’s consideration of renaming the USNS Harriet Tubman naval vessel – all these moves are attempts to erase a critical piece of our American history. 

Juneteenth helps to remind us not just of the injustices of the past, but also of the resilience and perseverance of African Americans in the face of such adversity. In that way, it represents more than a celebration of freedom from slavery – it represents a call to action for social justice, equality, and healing from racial trauma.  

Across the social sector, these messages resonate strongly with leaders who are tasked with the delivery of human and social services that are often targeted to support communities that have been marginalized and traumatized. Consider that human services and public benefit organizations have the highest representation of Black CEOs, 19% and 18% respectively, compared to other subsectors. Additionally, of Black CEOs across all mission-based organizations, 64% are women. What these leaders bring so critically to their work is a longtime affinity for and understanding of the importance of resilience to families, communities, and our workforce. As the social sector workforce has recovered from the challenges of a global pandemic and adapts to the chorus of voices demanding the rollback of equity, diversity, and inclusion efforts across our education and work institutions, it is a message that we all must take to heart. 

By upholding and recognizing Juneteenth, people of all races can foster greater empathy, understanding, and resilience and the ability to work together toward a more inclusive and equitable society. That starts by learning from and embracing aspects of history that have been overlooked and by honoring the diverse experiences and contributions of all individuals and communities. 

Juneteenth is, at its heart, a celebration of joy in freedom, culture, and community. Let’s commit to lifting up those values and celebrate our diversity, our resilience, and our belief in democratic freedoms and social justice for everyone. 

Tuesday, June 10

The Council on Foundation’s Leading Locally 2025 Conference kicked off today in Minneapolis. I am here representing Social Current to share perspectives learned from our work and to speak with funders about our social impact campaign. We know that Social Current, with the wisdom of our network of social sector organizations, has an important role to play in informing individual and institutional philanthropists. This year’s event began with a plenary session called “United in Giving,” which looked at the role philanthropy has played in U.S. history.
In moments of uncertainty and crisis in our nation—be it economic turmoil, public health emergency, or social justice movements—the importance of local philanthropy cannot be overstated. While larger organizations often dominate the conversation, grassroots initiatives hold the key to uniting communities and addressing immediate needs effectively–that’s also a critical belief of Social Current. We want to help each of you meet the needs of your communities as effectively and compassionately as possible.

Building Community Connections
Local philanthropy thrives on the principle of community engagement. It allows residents to come together, fostering relationships that transcend differences. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, community-led initiatives like neighborhood food drives and mutual aid networks sprang up across cities. These efforts not only provided essential resources but also strengthened bonds among residents, creating a sense of solidarity. This is happening now in our country, too—funders and organizations are coming together but even funders are experiencing the tremendous uncertainty of this moment, so don’t be surprised if they don’t have all the answers just yet.

Addressing Immediate Needs
Community-based organizations are uniquely positioned to respond quickly to pressing issues. With firsthand knowledge of the community’s challenges, they can tailor their responses to meet specific needs. For instance, in response to economic hardships, local nonprofits may offer job training programs or financial literacy workshops, equipping residents with the tools to navigate difficult times. By leading with local philanthropy, communities can mobilize resources efficiently, ensuring that support reaches those who need it most. It was clear from many of today’s speakers that funders are listening and try to respond in meaningful ways.

Inspiring Broader Change
Finally, local philanthropy can serve as a catalyst for broader societal change. Successful community initiatives often inspire larger movements and policies. By prioritizing local philanthropy, communities can test innovative solutions that may eventually impact national policies. That’s why Social Current is here to meet these funders and discuss our social impact campaign. The communities chosen for our first cohort will actively engage in learning, refining their approaches, and sharing their insights with others across the nation. The funders supporting this initiative will play a crucial role in facilitating this work.

Key Takeaways
Local funders are anxious to learn from you—and learn about you—but because they don’t have access to the same resources as larger funders, it is important for you to work with them to build collaborative projects and innovative strategies. Funders can also be great resources to help build partnerships. Seek them out for more than just a grant.

Wednesday, June 11

Bridging the Philanthropy Divide
More from Minneapolis! Minnesota, a state with significant urban areas and large, expansive rural landscapes, was a fitting location for discussions on the divide between philanthropy in rural and urban areas. At Social Current, we recognize that the divide between urban and rural areas is not just a statistic; it’s a reality felt by communities. More than 70% of the Top 25 Foundations in the U.S. are in large metropolitan areas. This statistic it climbs close to almost 80% if you include Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and W.K. Kellogg Foundation, which are about two hours from New Yor City and Detroit, respectively.

Urban Areas: Large-Scale Challenges
In urban settings, the issues can be widespread and often affect a significant number of people. Think about cities like New York or Los Angeles, where high housing costs lead to alarming rates of homelessness and food insecurity. Philanthropic efforts often focus on large-scale solutions—like funding for affordable housing initiatives or supporting food banks that serve thousands of individuals daily. Organizations such as the Robin Hood Foundation exemplify this by addressing poverty through comprehensive strategies that not only meet immediate needs but also tackle the root causes of these challenges. Funders can report to their board members that thousands or even tens of thousands of people have been impacted by a single grant—and that feels good.

Rural Areas: Overlooked Needs
On the flip side, rural areas often struggle with challenges that, while less visible, are no less urgent. Limited access to health care, fewer educational opportunities, and economic instability are common concerns. For instance, many rural communities lack sufficient health care facilities, which can lead to serious health issues that could have been prevented. Schools and homes may lack affordable, reliable internet access and good-paying jobs may not be nearby. Philanthropy in these areas has a different focus—and that may require other infrastructure, which is controlled by state or federal government entities. The Appalachian Regional Commission is a great example, successfully implementing initiatives to enhance economic development and education in underserved rural communities—but also how engaging policymakers was critical to the effort. But that effort may impact fewer individuals.

Collaboration is Key
To effectively tackle these diverse challenges, collaboration is essential. At Social Current, we believe that urban and rural organizations can learn from each other’s experiences. Urban groups can share insights on scaling initiatives, while rural organizations can emphasize the importance of grassroots engagement and community involvement. Programs like the Rural-Urban Bridge Initiative create connections, addressing issues like food distribution that link urban centers with rural farmers. It was great to hear today’s panelists talk about this and other similar projects—particularly around workforce training and technology.

Key Takeaways
At Social Current, we understand the importance of recognizing the rural-urban divide and fostering collaboration among communities of all sizes. Our expertise enables organizations to create positive impact and build strong relationships with funders, ensuring that both urban and rural initiatives receive the support they need. Whether your organization is addressing homelessness in a bustling city or enhancing health care access in a small town, we believe that a tailored approach to philanthropy is essential for meaningful change. We are dedicated to equipping our network with the skills and resources necessary to bridge this divide, empowering you to engage effectively with funders and stakeholders. Together, we can support your unique journey toward sustainable transformation, uplifting communities regardless of their location.

Thursday, June 12

The social sector and the philanthropic sectors are responding to a sea change—and that’s better than reacting to it.

In a decade marked by rapid political and social shifts, the social and philanthropic sectors are trying to transform. The most important takeaway from the Leading Locally 2025 Conference in Minneapolis is that rather than merely reacting to these changes, many organizations are embracing a proactive approach to strengthen their foundations and address systemic flaws. This shift from a reactive to a proactive mindset is crucial for building resilience against future uncertainties. Of course, there are urgent needs faced by many organizations and communities – and in some cases the need for critical work creates tension between funders and organizations.

Historically, the social sector has not been seen as strong enough to stand against the tide, swaying with the ebb and flow. This reactive stance leads to turmoil, as organizations scrambled to adjust their strategies in response to immediate crises, rather than focusing on long-term solutions. Funders and donors often drove this—modifying their funding priorities to align with shifts, which can dilute their mission and impact.

Recognizing this challenge, institutional funders and individual donors are taking steps to educate themselves about the broader landscape in which they operate. They are engaging in discussions about systemic issues such as inequality, access to resources, and the importance of sustainable practices. By understanding the root causes of these issues, donors are better equipped to support initiatives that address them holistically. This was the focus of many conversations in Minneapolis—and we at Social Current were pleased to be a part of them.
The philanthropic sector is beginning to recognize that providing flexibility in funding allows organizations to allocate resources where they are most needed, rather than being bound to specific project requirements. This shift not only empowers organizations but also fosters innovation and adaptability, qualities that are essential in a rapidly changing environment. Moving this idea forward to broad adoption is one of the cornerstones of Social Current’s social impact campaign.

Collaboration is emerging as another proactive strategy among funders—as well as creativity. Philanthropic organizations are increasingly partnering with each other to create comprehensive solutions that tackle systemic challenges. These partnerships foster a shared understanding of the issues at hand and enable collective action that is more impactful than isolated efforts. They are also looking for more creative ways to fund the social sector—through limited partnerships, the creation of pooled investment funds, and much more. These funding vehicles wouldn’t be as imperiled by changes in tax codes or status.

The social and philanthropic sectors are at a pivotal moment. By shifting from a reactive to a proactive stance, they can address systemic flaws and build resilience against future changes. Education, collaboration, and creativity are key strategies that will not only enhance their effectiveness but also ensure a more equitable and sustainable future for all. We at Social Current are ready to lend our hands to the effort to make these sectors which support so many people more resilient and effective.

Pride Month is time designated each year to champion equality, call attention to injustice, and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. This resource from Social Current’s Knowledge and Insights Center (KIC) is designed to help your organization develop impactful Pride Month initiatives that extend beyond June and foster a more inclusive future. Learn how to effectively support your team, create positive change in your community, and stand firmly for LGBTQ+ rights all year round.

History of Pride Month

Pride Month, celebrated each June, traces back to theStonewall Uprisingin June 1969 in New York City. In response to a police raid at the Stonewall Inn, members of the LGBTQ+ community, notably Black transgender women, organized a series of spontaneous protests. This uprising is widely considered a turning point and one of the most important events leading to the gay liberation movement and the modern fight for LGBTQ+ rights in the U.S.

One year later, the first Pride marches were held in New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago to commemorate the Stonewall Uprising. These marches were both a commemoration of the resistance at Stonewall and a public demonstration for equal rights. The core message was a demand for visibility and an end to discrimination. The term “pride” was used as a direct counter-message to societal stigma.

Pride Month remains a powerful symbol of resistance, a celebration of identity, and a call to action. While significant progress has been made in many parts of the world, LGBTQ+ individuals still face discrimination, violence, and legal challenges. Pride Month serves as an important reminder of the work that still needs to be done to achieve full equality and acceptance for all. It encourages dialogue, promotes understanding, and inspires action to advocate against attacks on LGBTQ+ rights.

Further Reading on Pride History

Celebrating Pride at Your Workplace 

As we think about the actions human services professionals can take in our spheres of influence to celebrate and promote equity for the LGBTQ+ community this month, consider some of these simple initiatives you could take to create a more inclusive, safe workplace. This is a good time for leadership teams to affirm their commitment to equity and model inclusive behavior by championing a workplace Pride Month initiative.

Whatever format you choose, make sure to establish ground rules that emphasize respect, active listening, and confidentiality. Using tools that allow participants to contribute anonymously is also helpful for encouraging candid, open discussion.

Take it into the Community

Your organization can also show its support to the wider community. Some activities to consider include:

Keep the Momentum

While Pride Month serves as a vital and visible celebration and a call to action, the fight for equity, acceptance, and safety for LGBTQ+ individuals is a daily reality, not a seasonal event. Being an ally year-round means consistently educating oneself, challenging discrimination whenever it arises, using inclusive language, uplifting LGBTQ+ voices, and advocating for systemic change. Consistent, active support helps create inclusive environments where LGBTQ+ people feel safe, respected, and empowered to be their authentic selves every day.

Knowledge and Insights Center Resources

Social Current’s Knowledge and Insights Center (KIC) offers leaders expertly curated resources to stay ahead of sector trends, implement best practices, and develop your leadership skills.

Learning Community

Enhance your leadership skills through a range of professional development and learning opportunities. The KIC offers live webinars, self-paced courses, trainings, and learning cohorts.

This month, celebrate Pride and discover how to keep your momentum year-round with:

Business, Media, & Research Databases

From thousands of premium journals to the latest social sector news and media, Social Current Impact Partners and KIC subscribers have access to a wealth of evidence-based resources to support them in addressing any leadership challenge.

Business Books Summaries. Want to learn from bestselling business authors, but don’t have time to read everything on your list? Business Book Summaries provides concise overviews of thousands of key business books to help stay current and develop new skills.

Top Business Book Summaries on inclusive workplace strategies:

  1. All Pride, No Ego by Jim Fielding
  2. I Don’t Understand: Navigating Unconscious Bias in the Workplace by Buki Mosaku
  3. Daily Practices of Inclusive Leaders by Eddie Pate & Johnathan Stutz
  4. The Inclusive Organization by Netta Jenkins

The Inclusive Leader’s recommended reading list:

Gain access to the Knowledge and Insights Center by becoming a Social Current Impact Partner or purchasing access.

The important work of creating an equitable society where all people can thrive cannot be achieved without the support of diverse community-based partnerships. Global Volunteer Month, celebrated in April, is a time to acknowledge and celebrate partners that donate time, resources, and expertise to make a difference in our communities. 

Social Current is grateful for its corporate social responsibility partners, which bolster our network’s impact by engaging teams of corporate volunteers and generously donating resources. 

Aramark 

Social Current is grateful for our 17-year partnership with Aramark. Rooted in service and united by purpose, Aramark strives to do great things for its employees, partners, communities, and planet. Their global volunteer program, Aramark Building Community, engages the talents and passions of employees to provide skill development for careers in hospitality, increase access to healthy food, and support sustainable environments. The program builds stronger communities, creates employee volunteer opportunities, and encourages employees to give back to their local communities. 

Social Current network organization Southeast Community Services in Indianapolis has benefited from volunteers’ contributions. Aramark employees provide gifts, toys, clothes, and soup kits for the holidays. In addition, volunteers returned April 10 for ABC Day, Aramark’s Global Day of Service, to support 1,000 local children, their families, and outside/unhoused neighbors by assembling kits with snacks and hygiene items. They built new picnic tables, revitalized outdoor areas, and painted the community center’s common areas.  

“We deeply appreciate the work of the Aramark employees in supporting our community. The snack packs they put together will be a significant help in feeding our neighbors, and their painting efforts are instrumental in creating a warm and welcoming space for all who come through our doors,” said Peggy Frame, executive director of Southeast Community Services. 
 

Additionally, Chicago-based Social Current network organization Lawrence Hall expressed gratitude for the relationship with Aramark volunteers. Volunteer Coordinator Francesca Valenziano shared, “The entire Lawrence Hall team is incredibly grateful for this continued partnership with Aramark. The amount of volunteerism and projects they have initiated for our campuses, youth, and staff is astounding!”   

In December, volunteers coordinated a holiday party, meal, and visit from Santa for Lawrence Hall’s youth and staff in residential care. In addition, Aramark volunteers are participating in a beautification and renovation project at one of Lawrence Hall’s Transitional Living program sites, ensuring the youth and staff have a nurturing and comfortable environment to spend their time. 

Bank of America 

Social Current is in its fifth year of partnering with Bank of America’s Parents and Caregivers Network (PCN). We’ve connected local chapters to Social Current network organizations for engagement opportunities.  

Bank of America’s PCN in Fort Worth, Texas, volunteered its time at Social Current network organization ACH Child and Family Services, also in Fort Worth. The volunteers cleaned roughly a dozen vans used to transport homeless, abandoned, runaway and trafficked youth.   

“Our kids have been through a lot and being driven in a clean van shows people care,” says Megan Ball, volunteer services manager for ACH. “We so appreciate our Bank of America volunteers who worked hard to teach young people that if you want to be your best, you have to look your best.” 
 
Additionally, the New York PCN donated over 3000 pairs of socks to Villa of Hope in Rochester, New York, and the PCN in Dallas volunteered its time at Social Current network organization Jewish Family Services of Greater Dallas, distributing food to members of the community facing food insecurity. By sorting donations, restocking shelves, and shopping with clients, Bank of America volunteers helped JFS community members maintain a level of dignity and respect, while getting the food they need.  

CSC ServiceWorks 

Since 2021, Social Current has partnered with CSC ServiceWorks, the leading provider of laundry solutions and air vending services throughout the U.S., Canada, and Europe. 

CSC CommunityWorks’ Signature Services program works with community organizations to provide reliable access to clean laundry and basic supports. They believe access to clean laundry is essential to helping people be successful in school and work as well as to maintain healthy lifestyles. CSC teams support their local community-based organizations by providing washer, dryer, air, and vacuum equipment; ongoing service for these machines; and volunteer support. By donating washers, dryers, and ongoing equipment maintenance, CSC helps strengthen the capacity of Social Current partners that are providing essential services. 

Since the inception of the partnership, nearly 200 commercial laundry equipment units have been installed across the Social Current network, with more installations to come in 2025, thanks to the time and energy of CSC ServiceWorks volunteers. 

Social Current celebrates and thanks all of its corporate volunteers for working in partnership with our network of organizations to create positive impact.  

To learn more about Social Current’s corporate partnerships, contact us. 

Social Current’s Knowledge and Insights Center recently released an overview of assessing and managing risk for community-based human and social services organizations. Unexpected events, such as disasters, economic downturns, or sudden shifts in public policy, can often cause greater harm to these organizations because they often operate with limited resources, rely heavily on volunteers, and are sustained through government and philanthropic funding.

It is imperative that organizations are proactive and conduct regular risk assessment and mitigation planning to identify financial and operational vulnerabilities and develop plans that can be implemented quickly if adverse situations occur.

Effective risk management is also pivotal to maintaining stability and growth in uncertain times. It encompasses a systematic approach to identifying potential threats and opportunities, evaluating their likelihood and impact, and implementing strategies to moderate adverse effects while maximizing positive outcomes. This spotlight covers:

Download the spotlight on assessing and managing risk online.

Social Current’s Knowledge and Insights Center provides human and social services organizations with the research and information they need to stay current and make informed decisions. In addition to a clearinghouse library, it offers resource collections on key topics, access to specialized databases, and research support from skilled librarians. To gain access, organizations can become a Social Current Impact Partner or purchase access. Contact us to learn more.

Additional Risk Management Resources

The nonprofit sector is a vital component of both our economy and society, tackling many of our most urgent challenges. It contributes over 5% to the U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) and employs nearly 10% of the private workforce. This sector not only serves as a significant job creator but also addresses pressing social issues, ensuring that communities thrive. Despite its critical contributions, the nonprofit sector often lacks the recognition and resources necessary to drive systemic change. To illuminate this reality, Social Current, in collaboration with the social impact team behind the film Uncharitable is embarking on a transformative journey to reshape our sector, our vital work, and the narrative surrounding both.  

The Power of a New Narrative 

Utilizing the powerful narrative of the film Uncharitable, Social Current has launched a new social impact campaign to dismantle the structural barriers that hinder the effectiveness of nonprofits. By positioning itself as a catalyst, convener, and activator, Social Current is fostering a collaborative effort to instigate systemic shifts within the social sector. Central to this initiative is a commitment to amplifying the voices of communities most affected by social challenges. This community-centered approach emphasizes the importance of engaging diverse groups, listening to their needs, and co-creating solutions that reflect their lived experiences. 

Key Components  

Funding Changes 
Traditional funding models often restrict nonprofit’s ability to fund the true cost of program delivery because of the limitations placed on types of expenditures by funders of all kinds. Social Current’s social impact initiative advocates for flexible, long-term funding that allows organizations to innovate and adapt to community needs. For instance, transitioning from one-year project grants to multiyear, unrestricted funding can empower nonprofits to respond effectively to evolving challenges. 

Employee Compensation 
Nonprofit employees frequently face wage disparities compared to their counterparts in the private sector. Social Current wants to promote compensation practices that recognize the value of the work being done in communities and attract top talent to the sector. 

Measuring Impact 
Traditional metrics for success often focus on outputs rather than outcomes. Our social impact campaign seeks a more holistic approach to measuring impact, such as evaluating the long-term health outcomes of program participants, rather than just the number of services provided. 

Why Now? 

The urgency for nonprofit organizations to change the narrative about their work has never been more critical. Here’s why this moment is critical: 

Heightened Awareness of Social Issues 
Recent events have spotlighted pressing social challenges. As people become more aware of issues like poverty, health care access, and inequality, nonprofits must redefine their continued and important contributions to these conversations and many others.  

Increased Demand for Services 
Communities are facing a surge in demand for nonprofit services as they cope with ongoing challenges. Now is the time for nonprofits to highlight their importance in addressing these urgent needs and press for improvements. 

Shifting Funding Landscapes 
With donors and institutional funders increasingly seeking organizations that demonstrate clear impact, nonprofits must change their narrative to focus on measurable outcomes and community engagement to attract funding rather than simply counting.  

The Need for Sustainable Practices 
As social issues have grown more complex, nonprofits have shifted their focus from short-term fixes to long-term solutions, demonstrating their commitment to sustainable change. These practices are more effective but require a bigger commitment of resources to achieve success.  

Empowering Community Voices 
Now is an ideal time to amplify the voices of those most affected by social challenges, ensuring that their experiences shape the narrative and solutions. By seizing this moment to change the narrative, nonprofits can enhance their visibility, support, and effectiveness in creating lasting change in their communities. 

Conclusion 

Social Current’s new social impact campaign represents a pivotal shift in the social sector.  By prioritizing community voices, advocating for equitable funding, fair compensation, and meaningful measures of impact, we can dismantle the barriers that have historically constrained nonprofits. Through collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to shared learning, Social Current and our partners are poised to redefine the social sector’s role in fostering community well-being. Together, we can cultivate a future where nonprofits are not only recognized for their contributions but are also empowered to lead the charge in solving the complex social problems that affect us all.  

Learn more about the Social Current’s social impact campaign online. 

We are accepting applications for the initiative’s pilot communities. The deadline to apply is March 31. 

Social Current has partnered with the Center for Creative Leadership (CCL) to offer new trainings on a variety of leadership development topics. A live virtual training on leading change will be held May 20 and Sept. 4, and three on-demand trainings will be available later this year. The on-demand trainings will address:

CCL is a premier leadership development organization that creates courses for leaders at all levels, as well as assessments and leadership development tools.

CCL helps to expand human potential by developing the mindsets, capacity, and capabilities needed to excel in an ever-changing world. With an emphasis on the power of people, backed by research, and fueled by a focus on innovation, CCL is trusted globally to deliver transformational leadership solutions that cultivate positive change.

Social Current has chosen to partner with CCL because of its:

“Social Current is excited to partner with the Center for Creative Leadership to bring high-quality leadership training opportunities to our network and the sector,” says Robena Spangler, senior director of leadership development and organizational development. “Our organizations are aligned in our mission and vision to address pressing organizational challenges in support of innovative solutions for public and private sector leaders.”

Over its 50-year history, CCL has more than 1 million alumni from 160 countries and has worked with two-thirds of Fortune 1,000 companies.

Learn more about CCL and Social Current’s Leadership and Organizational Development Impact Area.

Human services professionals are on the frontlines working to support individuals and families across the lifespan with nuance and empathy. That sensitivity and care is critical because the stakes for communities are high—which may also be why some are surprised to hear that artificial intelligence (AI) is being adopted in the human services sector.  

Dr. Lauri Goldkind, professor at Fordham University and guest speaker at Social Current’s 2025 CEO Convening, is a social work expert and researcher who has extensively explored AI’s potential to impact human services. Her 2021 article, Social Work and Artificial Intelligence: Into the Matrix, reveals critical considerations for the future of the sector. Learn more from our summary below and access the full text of the article through the Fordham Research Commons.  

What Place Does AI Have in Human Services? 

The term AI is vague on its own—it’s used to describe several different tools, intended for specific uses, like facial recognition, data analysis, or speech comprehension. Today’s AI tools are not advanced enough to fully replace the work of individual people, rather, AI is a tool that works best when used to enhance—not replace—human expertise. 

The implications are huge. This means that professionals and organizations can effect change on a scale not previously possible. As Goldkind articulates in her article, it’s already transformed human services work significantly: 

  1. For Individuals: AI-powered virtual counselors can give mental health support to people who can’t access human therapists. These virtual counselors use facial expressions, body language, and speech to act like humans. Early results show they can help people stay on track with their treatment. 
  2. For Organizations: AI can help social service agencies work smarter. For example, predictive analytics can look at data to figure out which clients need the most help. One food pantry used AI to predict who was at risk of food insecurity, so they could step in before things got worse. 
  3. For Systemic Problems: AI can tackle large-scale issues through data collaboratives—where organizations share data to solve problems. For example, the Chicago Data Collaborative combines data from police, courts, and jails to give a clearer picture of the criminal justice system. This info helps journalists, researchers, and activists push for change.  

AI offers a lot of opportunities for the work, but is it too good to be true? 

Preventing Potential Harm 

While AI has a lot of potential, it also comes with risks. As Goldkind notes, one of the top threats in human services work is individual bias. Even under the best circumstances, professionals may have unconscious biases that affect how they interpret information or make decisions. While AI itself doesn’t have biases, people who create it and the data it uses still reflect real-world inequalities. This naturally raises ethical concerns, especially when AI is used in areas like criminal justice or child welfare.  

For this reason, Goldkind believes the best outcomes for AI in these applications start before they are built: “As a values-centered profession with a robust code of ethics, social work is uniquely positioned to engage across disciplines to inform the creation of thoughtful algorithmically enhanced policy and practice at all levels.” Collaboration between tech and human services then becomes a critical symbiosis—providing long-term support to workers and protecting the needs of vulnerable communities. 

Read the full-text article online. 

CEOs: Learn More From Dr. Goldkind 

At this point AI’s place in the industry is cemented, it has filled significant gaps in the system and provides speedy results to cumbersome work—there is no going back. Yet we are only at the beginning of AI’s widespread implementation.  

Familiarity with AI is necessary to remain competitive and relevant in today’s work, and future leaders will be expected to understand it well. That’s why we’re excited to have Dr. Goldkind as a guest speaker at Social Current’s 2025 Convening for Chief Executives, where human services CEOs will learn from peers and other experts about the latest innovations in the field. Register now to join us March 19-20 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 

Executives and Senior-Level Managers: Learn More at the Executive Leadership Institute 

Social Current’s 2025 Executive Leadership Institute, held in partnership with Loyola University Chicago’s Quinlan School of Business, provides foundational leadership training and addresses hot topics, including AI in human services. 

Learn more about this year’s program, which includes a weeklong event June 8-12 in Chicago, as well as a year of virtual learning, mentoring, and support with self-designed projects that address organizational challenges. 

As the social sector enters 2025, it faces an evolving landscape of both tremendous opportunities and significant challenges. Emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), offer the potential to transform organizations by driving productivity and efficiency. However, these advancements also bring important considerations around responsible deployment and risk management.

To help leaders navigate this shift, Social Current’s Knowledge and Insights Center has curated a report on key trends shaping the sector in 2025, offering actionable strategies to stay ahead. From leveraging AI to managing its ethical implications, this article explores how the social sector can harness technology while staying grounded in its human-centered mission.

Social Current is committed to fostering collaboration among sector leaders to address systemic challenges and seize new opportunities. At our Convening for Chief Executives in North Carolina, March 19-21, we’ll discuss strategies for integrating emerging technologies into the sector.

Lauri Goldkind, professor at Fordham University, will lead an interactive session to co-create an AI readiness assessment rubric, a practical tool to help organizations prepare for AI implementation. Goldkind’s research focuses on data justice, AI in nonprofit management, and telemental health. The session will provide leaders with actionable insights on integrating AI responsibly into human services, ensuring its positive impact while minimizing risks.

Leveraging AI

Social sector organizations are using AI to automate routine functions, gain organizational insights, and increase productivity.

Adoption of AI is surging. A recent McKinsey & Company study reveals that 72% of surveyed organizations are using AI to support at least one business function. In the social sector, organizations report using AI to assist with tasks such as writing personalized donor thank you notes, crafting newsletters, drafting grant proposals, and developing press releases. Across all sectors, AI is commonly used to support IT, HR, marketing, sales, and product/service development functions. Considering staffing shortages, nonprofit organizations can use AI to automate manual tasks in order to free up space for staff to focus on more complex tasks such as problem solving and relationship-building.

Risk Management

While capitalizing on innovative technologies, nonprofits must remain human-centered and mitigate risks such as algorithmic bias, cybersecurity risks, and privacy risks.

Even with its many benefits, AI adoption should be approached strategically and with a healthy dose of risk modeling and mitigation. Take the time to teach your teams how AI works and to understand the body of data that your AI tools train on. Generative AI programs are generally trained on open-source information like Wikipedia, Twitter, and Reddit that can contain heavily biased views and can exacerbate algorithmic bias and disparate outcomes. Some conversational AI tools, such as the free versions of ChatGPT, have time delays and train on data with a currency lag of up to two years, which can cause issues for fields that need highly current information. Additionally, data privacy and cybersecurity concerns should be top of mind for nonprofit professionals using AI.

If you haven’t already, begin drafting AI use-case policies for your workplace that protect user data. 2025 is a great time to identify how to ethically and effectively optimize AI at your organization.

Social Current is Here to Help Navigate Changes

As the social sector continues to adapt to the evolving landscape, the responsible integration of AI offers both significant opportunities and challenges. By adopting a strategic, human-centered approach to AI, organizations can unlock productivity gains while safeguarding against risks such as bias, privacy concerns, and cybersecurity threats. At Social Current, we are committed to supporting leaders in navigating this complex terrain.

In addition to our Convening for Chief Executives, we invite leaders to join us at the 2025 Executive Leadership Institute (ELI). Held in partnership with Loyola University Chicago Quinlan School of Business, ELI helps participants enhance their leadership skills and gain valuable insights into emerging trends in technology and organizational development. These programs are opportunities for learning, collaboration, and strategic planning to help ensure AI and other innovations are used ethically and effectively in the social sector.

Nonprofit leaders face challenges at some point, regardless of their field. Changes in policies, funding, or the needs of the organization can happen suddenly. During uncertain times, staff and community members look to their leaders for support, guidance, and reassurance that they can overcome these challenges. This is when adaptive leadership skills are needed the most.

What is Adaptive Leadership?

Adaptive leadership consists of skills that help individuals stay focused when there are no clear answers or easy solutions. These leaders are open minded and quick thinkers who respond to change and emerging challenges confidently. Instead of sticking to fixed plans or abandoning plans when conditions change, adaptive leaders remain flexible, incorporate various viewpoints, and try new solutions.

Organizational resilience starts with adaptive leadership. It’s common for changes in policy, economics, technology, and industry innovations to disrupt expectations and require organizations to respond. That’s why leaders across all sectors must be prepared to meet challenges effectively and why we emphasize adaptive leadership skills as part of our annual Executive Leadership Institute.

Putting It Into Action

Principles of adaptive leadership offer a framework for handling complex and difficult situations when clear solutions aren’t present. These principles help leaders and organizations adapt and succeed in changing environments:

The principles are interconnected and reinforce one another. For instance, “getting on the balcony” helps you identify the leadership challenge, which can inform your experiments and risk -taking. Empowering others allows more individuals to contribute to the adaptive work, while leveraging conflict can uncover new ideas.

Practices

Alongside these principles, adaptive work involves various practices that can help you succeed:

Staying Prepared

Practicing adaptive leadership is just as crucial as understanding its principles. When engaged in a difficult situation, stress and time constraints can make it hard to recall this information. The program provides Leaders with continuity of practice and application of adaptive leadership techniques to sharpen their skills. Here are some methods:

Executive Leadership Institute

Adaptive leadership is a core component of Social Current’s Executive Leadership Institute (ELI), which is held in partnership with Loyola University Chicago’s Quinlan School of Business. Over the course of the program, leaders grow their knowledge and skills to effectively manage day-to-day operations and prepare for future challenges and changes.

Executives and senior managers learn how to lead more effectively in an ever-changing environment through a combination of academic instruction, real-world projects, mentorship. This year’s institute will be taking place June 8-12 in Chicago. Learn more about the institute online and register to join us at our informational session.

Further Reading: