Tracy Russ facilitates an Agility Series session, helping nonprofit leaders strengthen their capacity to adapt and thrive in a changing community landscape.

The Robinson Center for Civic Leadership grounds FFTC’s mission by transforming philanthropic assets into impactful civic action through the power of collaboration. We believe our institution fulfills its greatest potential when our work reflects who we are: a community built on the aspirations of generous donors, engaged citizens and committed partners. In 2025, our work has been more important than ever as nonprofits face economic pressures, rising demand for services and a need for resilience and innovation. That’s why we launched the Agility Together Initiative — a multi-faceted effort equipping nonprofit leaders with tools and resources to thrive in uncertain times.

Agility Workshops

In partnership with United Way, Share Charlotte and The Lee Institute, FFTC is hosting monthly workshops throughout 2025, both in-person and virtually. Designed with nonprofit input, sessions focus on scenario planning, board engagement, communications, revenue diversification and collaboration. More than 650 leaders have participated to date, including recent sessions on Building Effective Narratives and Fiscal Leadership Resources.

Agility Corps

Anne Marie Forbes, board development specialist, Savvy Strategies Consulting, shares tips on keeping nonprofit board members engaged.

In partnership with the Charlotte Executive Leadership Council, we are mobilizing business professionals to volunteer expertise in finance, strategy and organizational development. Dozens of volunteers are already preparing to provide one-on-one coaching to nonprofits beginning in late 2025.

Agility Hub & Playbook

To broaden access, we are creating an online hub on FFTC’s website with recordings of workshops, a living playbook of tools and templates and links to local and national resources. The hub will be regularly refreshed to provide nonprofit leaders with actionable, up-to-date strategies.

Listening and Learning

FFTC president Laura Yates Clark addresses nonprofit leaders during an Agility Series session focused on collaboration and community impact.

The Robinson Center for Civic Leadership has embraced a principle to Listen First as we endeavor to maximize our value and impacts in the community. To that end, FFTC partnered with UNC Charlotte and United Way to survey nonprofit leaders in 2025. The results offer critical insight into how funding reductions, rising demand and shifting needs affect the people nonprofits serve. Findings will be shared broadly in late 2025 and early 2026 to inform action across sectors. Looking ahead, we will continue to build upon the strengths of our community. We look forward to continuing to listen first to sharing knowledge and opportunities for participation, and to empowering our community’s aspirations by serving as a trusted collaborator.

For more information: www.fftc.org/Our_Initiatives