We live in a time of enormous change. Things that used to be true are no longer valid, and people and businesses are trying to adapt. This is especially true with the nonprofit sector.

The Great Recession of 2008-2009 created immense economic challenges across the nation, forcing budget cuts on the local and federal level. Nonprofits were often the victim of these cuts, forcing them to make major changes or shut down.

Economic difficulties aren’t the only trend affecting organizations. According to Robert Glavin, MNA, in “Nonprofit Management 101,” there are other factors that will impact nonprofits in the near future. They are:

• Cultural and racial composition. Nonprofits will need to be culturally fluent and competent to meet their missions as Hispanic and other minority groups to continue to grow.
• Age. Predicted changes in the age of the population including the approaching retirement of an entire generation of experienced nonprofit leaders.
• Global concerns. In an increasingly interconnected world, it is imperative that nonprofits understand how their efforts fit into a larger context.
• Communication technologies. Exciting and revolutionary developments in technology offer new and fast-changing opportunities to organizations, particularly in their communication efforts.
• Cross-sector partnerships. Nonprofits may have to step outside their organizations and explore opportunities for partnership and alliance.
• Social entrepreneurship. As individuals, investors and foundations become more “sector agnostic,” nonprofits will find themselves competing with these efforts for funding and employees.
• Scrutiny and transparency. High-profile scandals and public questioning of nonprofit effectiveness will force organizations to hold themselves to a higher standard.