Working Together, Giving Back,

Changing Lives

The headlines keep coming. Every day brings new challenges that test our resolve. In moments like these, it's easy to feel paralyzed. But the people in our community choose action. This newsletter gives you concrete ways to support them: mentor a leader navigating tough decisions, guide a Yale student entering the sector, share your internship. You don't have to do it all. Pick one way to serve. Then show up.

On an organizational note, Kristin Urquiza is no longer with YANA. We are grateful for her contributions to YANA and to the broader social impact community, and we wish her well.

YANA’s mission and programming remain strong, and the Board is actively managing this transition. More updates will follow soon — thank you for your continued support. In the meantime, please reach out to Board Chair Rachel Littman with any questions.

THIS WEEK! Feb. 25 @ 6:30pm ET | In-Person (Yale Club of NYC) & virtual via Zoom

Whether you're navigating the intersection of government and philanthropy, leading a nonprofit seeking foundation partnerships, or simply curious about how today's most pressing challenges are being addressed across sectors, this Town Hall is for you. Join us for a fireside chat with Maria Torres Springer '99, newly appointed President of the Charles H. Revson Foundation, moderated by Lisa Sun '00, founder and CEO of GRAVITAS and host of the GRAVITAS Podcast.

credit: Brian Hammerstein

Thank you to everyone who joined our January Town Hall on nonprofit executive search. If you missed it, the full recording is now available. Our expert panelists (Jack Lusk from Harris Rand Lusk, Dr. Marilyn Machlowitz from DRG Talent, and Melissa Madzel from Do Good Connections) covered how top nonprofits find their leaders, working effectively with search firms, and trends in DEI and succession planning. Share with colleagues or board members who could benefit.

YANA-Dwight Hall Summer Fellowship - Support a Student Now!

Now in its ninth year, the YANA-Dwight Hall Summer Fellowship Program provides funding to Yale students who desire to pursue a social sector career and who would otherwise be unable to pursue a nonprofit internship without financial support. YANA’s fellowship exists because our alumni community comes together every year to make sure these students can spend a summer pursuing their dreams in nonprofit and social impact work - every gift at any level helps!

Share Your Summer Internship Opportunities

Does your organization have a summer internship? Share it with Yale students. The YANA Student Chapter circulates postings to students across campus. Nearly two-thirds of Yale students engage with Dwight Hall and social impact work. Your internship could be someone's entry point into this sector. Many of us started exactly this way. Submit your opportunity and help the next generation find their path.

Nonprofit leaders need practical guidance on fundraising, board development, operations, strategic planning. YANA's Mentorship Program matches you with leaders for 2-4 conversations over several months. One recent mentee in Nigeria launched a website, secured six months of book supplies, and started 501(c)(3) registration after working with their mentor. Your experience matters. Sign up and help a leader navigate what you've already figured out.

Current Yale students are trying to figure out if nonprofit and social impact careers are right for them. They have questions about breaking into the sector, navigating early-career decisions, and finding meaningful summer opportunities. YANA at Yale connects them with alumni who've walked this path. The time commitment is light: a few conversations per semester. Sign up and help a student see what's possible.

Know a young changemaker between 13-23? Riley's Way's Call For Kindness offers up to $5,000 in funding plus a Leadership Development Fellowship for projects that inspire kindness and strengthen communities. Applications close March 1st, 2026. This is perfect for Yale students, children of YANA members, or young people in your network pursuing local, national, or global impact. Share this opportunity and help amplify youth-led change.

Strong boards make strong nonprofits. BoardSource is the national leader in nonprofit board development, offering practical resources on everything from board recruitment to financial oversight. Their Ten Basic Responsibilities of Nonprofit Boards is essential reading for any board member or executive director. Explore templates, assessments, and guidance on governance challenges facing nonprofits today.

The nonprofit sector is facing a perfect storm: increased service demand, shrinking government funding, decreased donor retention, and growing community needs. Nonprofit Finance Fund's 2026 Trends Report analyzes these pressures and offers clear recommendations. Key findings: flexible multiyear funding is urgent, affordable housing and capital access are critical, and nonprofits must be recognized as operating partners, not charitable afterthoughts. Essential reading for leaders navigating this moment.

Tech-for-good builder Jeff Kaiser ’12 leads product and technology at Propel, whose Providers app helps millions of low-income Americans more easily access and manage SNAP and other safety-net benefits.​

Celebrate fellow Yalies making a difference! Tell us about a Yale in Social Impact we should consider featuring in our YANA newsletters. Use the form to nominate Yale alumni who are creating positive social impact through their work, service, or leadership. Whether they’re advancing equity, championing sustainability, or strengthening communities, we want to highlight their stories in upcoming YANA communications. Share a few details about their contributions and why they inspire you—the nomination only takes a few minutes.

Get further involved in YANA:

• 🖥️ Register your nonprofit to help match expertise & needs with YANA experts
• 👔 Register if you are looking for volunteer opportunities or to share your expertise

Help us inspire and support lives of impact.