Center for Community Impact

08/27/2026

The future of the social sector should not look like a slightly less broken version of today.

It should be a place where organizations can plan beyond the next grant cycle, people are paid what their expertise is worth, and communities have real power over the decisions that affect them.

We believe this future is possible and worth building together.

But it won’t arriving on its own. So, let’s rise.

07/15/2026

By Aileen Meyer, MOL, CFRM For decades, nonprofits have been encouraged to compete on how little they spend on operations. Emerging research suggests that this message may be losing its appeal with experienced Gen Z donors.

06/25/2026

06/25/2026

A parent can’t keep a job without child care.

A caregiver can’t stay employed without elder support.

A worker can’t focus without stable housing, food access, transportation, or mental health care.

The social sector helps make work possible for everyone else.

It reduces barriers. Stabilizes families. Keeps people connected to opportunity.

That means when we underfund the social sector, we don’t just hurt nonprofits.

We weaken the workforce around them.

Strong economies need strong support systems.

Rise with us.

06/10/2026

On behalf of the RISE Northwest Ohio Ambassadors, Thank You Defiance Area Foundation for your early and enthusiastic support of sustainability projects supporting the social sector. Five & Rising

05/13/2026

“You never change things by fighting against the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the old model obsolete.” — Buckminster Fuller.

And that's what RISE Northwest Ohio is doing. We are building a shared marketing resource pilot program for a cohort of nonprofit organizations.

We are forming a volunteer task force to help inform and finalize our program outline. We are specifically looking for individuals across the US with experience sponsoring or benefiting from a shared resource for social sector organizations. The task force will convene twice virtually. Marketing expertise not required. Please message us this week if interested in being a part of something we hope to scale beyond Northwest Ohio.

05/12/2026

The next RISE Leadership Session in May 18th 9-10:30.

RISE Leadership equips leaders to think differently about funding, leadership, and growth so your mission can truly rise.
▶️ Strengthen financial and operational infrastructure
▶️ Rethink funding and growth strategies
▶️ Build organizations capable of scaling impact to meet community needs
▶️ Registrants receive all past and future recordings and materials.



Register at:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd7aP03saoQaPH4l3_ygsfXoonPg-AotIa2AkTNK2xbPIuaqA/viewform

05/12/2026

The work we do with Five & Rising asks a lot of us.

It requires us to learn new ways of thinking and leading.

It requires consistency where we’ve sometimes relied on what’s familiar.

It requires investing time, energy, and resources before the outcomes are fully visible.

It requires patience, resilience, and the courage to keep moving forward even when the path is uncertain.

The RISE Northwest Ohio program is not pursuing long-term sustainability because it is easy.

We are pursuing it because our communities deserve solutions that last.

Because meaningful impact is built intentionally, not accidentally.

And because while change carries a cost, the cost of remaining where we are is far greater.

This is the work of transformation.

And it is work worth committing to.

05/02/2026

This is a great experience for small business owners and the aspiring. We were proud to be a part of it AND receive a grant to further the work of RISE Northwest Ohio.

05/02/2026

RISE Northwest Ohio, a pilot program of Five & Rising is blessed to have the Defiance Area Foundation’s support. Together, we are righting persisting misconceptions about business of nonprofit work.

We are honored to be among the 2026 Spring Grant recipients.