What are your nonprofit’s priorities and goals for 2026?

Inclusive Growth, Collaboration, and Meaningful Employment

Our priorities for 2026 focus on stability, inclusive growth, and meaningful opportunity for people with disabilities.

We’re strengthening our foundation by investing in staff, improving systems, and ensuring our programs are sustainable and well-run. Strong infrastructure allows us to serve people well and plan for the future.

We’re also expanding inclusive employment pathways. Our goal is to help more individuals earn wages, build skills, and participate fully in community life through our social enterprises, job training, and partnerships with local employers.

In addition, we’re deepening practical supports that help people succeed at work and during life transitions, including access to basic needs and skill-building resources.

Finally, collaboration remains essential. By working alongside healthcare providers, educators, nonprofits, and businesses, we’re building a stronger local ecosystem where employment, wellness, and belonging go hand in hand.

Our goal for 2026 is clear: Fewer barriers, more opportunities, and a community where people with disabilities are valued and included.

— Jane Maritz from Sunrise Enterprises

Utilize Workforce Wisdom and Improve Funding Strategy

• Sustainable funding and visibility.
• Leading wisdom for the Community Health Worker workforce.
• Strengthen our organizational and staffing capacity.

— Shanteny from Virginia Community Health Worker Association

Building Partnerships and Workforce Inclusion

Options For All, a California-based nonprofit creating and supporting opportunities for adults with disabilities, is entering 2026 with a clear focus: Sharpening our strategic position while staying agile in a year shaped by policy shifts and budget uncertainty.

Rather than taking oversized risks or pursuing broad reinvention, we are centering our proven strengths — delivering consistent, high-quality services, investing in disciplined operations, and sustaining a culture where people come first.

At the same time, we are strengthening the community partnerships that expand opportunities for our clients and keep us aligned with real-time needs. By staying anchored in our values, we position ourselves to pivot quickly, respond wisely, and remain impactful as conditions evolve.

A key priority this year is expanding our employment services across California and enhancing programs that support the rapidly growing autism community.

Our goal is to be the state’s go-to partner for inclusive workforce development. That means building on existing successes, growing our employment center, and taking more input from development centers to ensure we use resources wisely.

For individuals with autism, who now represent the fastest-growing group seeking support, we are designing services tailored to social, sensory, and communication needs. Leading with empathy and innovation, we aim to create a model of excellence that prepares people for meaningful work and strengthens the communities we serve.

Equally important is our commitment to culture. Options For All will continue prioritizing its people, recognizing that when employees feel seen, supported, and inspired, they bring their best to the mission.

Being a “Best Place to Work” isn’t a title, it’s a daily practice. We are dedicated to maintaining and evolving our award-winning culture framework so that, even in times of change, our values, support systems, and practices remain intact.

Our people are central to our success, and nurturing that environment will guide everything we do in 2026 and beyond.

—  Brian Zotti from Options For All

Relationships, Visibility, Community Engagement

• Deepening relationships
• Increasing our visibility
• Community engagement

— Leslie from Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center

Tech Upgrade for Improved Efficiency

We are looking to upgrade our tech in various ways, such as moving to a more robust and integrated CRM system; changing over all of our client forms from Word/Adobe to easier to fill out e-sign documents, especially for our many low-income clients who have a smartphone, but not a laptop or tablet; and also utilizing AI more to help us with client correspondence, client tracking, and overall data management.

— Michelle from JLA Trust

Mission, Impact, Partnerships, and Stability

In 2026, our nonprofit is focused on staying true to our mission while making sure we have the resources to keep our work moving forward.

We are prioritizing programs that create the biggest impact, strengthening community partnerships, and keeping our funding stable and diverse.

Ultimately, our goal is to stay mission-driven, financially healthy, and ready to grow where it matters most.

— Paul Marengo from The DC LGBTQ+ Community Center

Note: The opinions and product/service recommendations expressed above are solely those of the participants and do not necessarily represent those of Blue Avocado. Submissions may be edited for length and clarity.