Executive Transition Fund

Overview

The Executive Transition Fund (ET Fund), launched in 2021 by the Nonprofit Sustainability Initiative (NSI), supports Los Angeles County-based nonprofits through critical executive leadership transitions. The ET Fund has awarded grants (ranging from $75,000 to $100,000), tools and support, and a peer network to three cohorts of organizations to date, totaling 18 nonprofit organizations. Recognizing there is no “one transition plan fits all” approach, NSI emphasizes comprehensive transition planning reflecting each organization’s values and unique circumstances. NSI’s work has demonstrated the importance of treating transitions like other strategic endeavors, incentivizing thoughtful planning with robust investment. Transitions of long-tenured executives often involve documenting institutional knowledge, right-sizing the executive role, board engagement and training, external consulting and coaching, recruitment, and more.

Abandoning the “wait and see” approach is not enough. Funding transitions requires moving beyond scarcity mindsets. With average transition budgets estimated at $235,000, organizations need change capital to handle unexpected expenses like prolonged recruitment, overlapping salaries, retention bonuses, or consultants for new leaders.

Executive transitions are not merely organizational crossroads; they are opportunities for resiliency and growth. By supporting transitions boldly and proactively, funders can help nonprofits emerge stronger, ready to sustain and expand their impact. View the complete 2025 Executive Transition Fund report to see top nonprofit discoveries and funder recommendations.”

“The NSI executive transition cohort was absolutely priceless to me as an outgoing founder and to our organization as a whole. As a smaller social justice nonprofit, and beyong the grants, we gained an unexpected community of trusted peers facing transition in real time.
Gone were the usual feelings of isolation and secrecy, and we were able to operate with a level of transparency with each other, with ourselves, between board chair and executive director, that our transition became a catalyst for incredible organizational growth. It became healing and transformative instead of the opposite.”

Maisie ChinFounder, CADRE

“The opportunity to participate in the first NSI Executive Transition cohort was more than a blessing for A Place Called Home. The benefits our Board Chair and I got from the guest speakers, and particularly the peer support and sharing of stories and resources, informed and eased the arduous process of passing the leadership torch and, by extension, made it easier and better for our staff, stakeholders and funders.
It's time to life the veil and dissolve the stigma and secrecy around nonprofit leaders and organizations evolving to new chapters, and instead celebrate and support transparent processes that will sustain organizations' ongoing missions under new leadership, and the NSI initiative is making a great start.”

Jonathan ZeichnerCEO, A Place Called Home

“The NSI initiative was essential to the change of leadership that AABLI went through as an organization. The financial support was extremely important, but the knowledge we gained and shared proved to be invaluable in assisting us in all of the tasks that were necessary to a successful leadership transition.
There is more to a change of leadership than just hiring a new leader. There are issues with how or whether you involve staff in the process. There are issues concerning the involvement of the leaving CEO/Executive Director. The opportunity to discuss the myriad of issues and to learn from peers proved invaluable.”

Virgil RobertsCo-Founder and Board Chair, African American Board Leadership Institute

“Working with the NSI has provided such an important resource for nonprofit leaders and board members to connect with peers during a critical organizational shift.
We have been able to approach our executive transition in a comprehensive and startegic manner, learn from others, and share our experiences along the way. We are so appreciative of the support and guidance to help build a sustainable future for the Center for the Pacific Asian Family.”

Mamie FunahashiBoard Chair, Center for the Pacific Asian Family

“Being an NSI executive transition grantee and cohort member was the perfect experience for CADRE's bridge from co-founder to shared co-executive director leadership model. The opportunity and investment are invaluable!”

Nomsa Khalfani, PhDBoard Chair, CADRE

“Coping with change is difficult, even when it's a positive change. Having the funding from NSI, and the practical solutions and support of our peer group as we move through our transition at CNM, has been very timely and uniquely valuable for our Transition Committee and me.”

Regina BirdsellPresident and CEO, Center for Nonprofit Management

“Participation in NSI's Executive Transition Cohort was invaluable to the success of our board's mission-critical responsibility of selecting and onboarding our new ED. Their funding and support aligned with our need for a professional executive search firm, a consultant to strategize a smooth transition plan, and access to confidential alliances within the non-profit community.”

Barbara St. ThomasBoard Chair, Safe Place for Youth