Beyond Donations: Nonprofits Learn to Future-Proof Their Missions

SUN VALLEY, Idaho – January 22, 2026 – As nonprofits navigate a landscape of economic volatility and shifting donor habits, the call for strategic resilience has never been louder. Answering this call, Mercer Advisors has announced its 2026 Sun Valley Conference for Endowments & Foundations, an exclusive gathering designed to arm nonprofit leaders with the tools to ensure their missions endure. The event is scheduled for Monday, January 26, 2026, at the Argyros Performing Arts Center in Ketchum.

This year’s theme, “Future-Proof Philanthropy: Resilience and Growth in a Changing World,” cuts to the heart of the challenges facing the sector. The conference will bring together local and regional nonprofit leaders to learn, connect, and adapt, focusing on the strategies and mindsets essential for sustaining impact. Highlighting the event will be a keynote address from Ruthe Farmer, Founder and CEO of the Last Mile Education Fund, a nationally recognized leader in applying business principles to scale social change.

Navigating a High-Stakes Philanthropic Landscape

The need for such a forum is underscored by significant headwinds confronting small and mid-sized charitable organizations. Recent industry data reveals a precarious financial reality for many, with 86% of nonprofits reporting that inflation is outpacing their budgets. Compounding this, a staggering 52% are operating with three months or less of cash reserves, leaving them highly vulnerable to funding fluctuations or unexpected crises.

This economic pressure is happening alongside a fundamental shift in donor behavior. While the overall pool of donors is shrinking, those who give are increasingly selective, demanding greater transparency, measurable impact, and seamless digital engagement. This environment forces nonprofits to professionalize their operations and diversify revenue streams beyond traditional grants. Yet, access to the sophisticated financial planning, investment management, and strategic guidance necessary to do so is often out of reach.

“While some of the largest nonprofit institutions have access to sophisticated resources, consultants, and investment capabilities, smaller organizations are often left to navigate complex financial decisions on their own,” said Mark Eshman, Director of Endowments & Foundations at Mercer Advisors. The conference series he established over 25 years ago was designed specifically to address this disparity.

Bridging the Resource Gap for Community Cornerstones

The Sun Valley conference is the flagship event in a nationwide series born from a mission to democratize financial expertise. Founded by Eshman, the series was created to inspire, educate, and connect the smaller nonprofits and funders that form the backbone of local communities. By bringing top-tier expertise directly to regions like Sun Valley, Boise, and Jackson Hole, Mercer Advisors aims to provide a level of support typically reserved for large, national events.

This focus on an often-overlooked segment distinguishes the firm’s approach. While many large advisory firms offer Outsourced Chief Investment Officer (OCIO) services to institutions, Mercer Advisors has carved out a niche by tailoring its comprehensive support for smaller endowments and foundations. This includes not just institutional-grade portfolio management but also crucial governance support, board education, and strategic fundraising guidance.

The firm acts as an integrated fiduciary partner, helping nonprofit boards and leadership teams refine investment policy statements, conduct scenario analysis for financial stability, and align their investment portfolios with organizational values. This hands-on, partnership-based model is designed to help smaller organizations institutionalize and scale their operations, ensuring their financial foundation is as robust as their mission.

From Strategy Sessions to Sustainable Impact

The conference curriculum is designed for immediate, practical application. Keynote speaker Ruthe Farmer will deliver an address on “Strategies for Building Agile & Resilient Organizations,” drawing from her extensive experience scaling social change efforts. Her work with the Last Mile Education Fund, which supports students from underrepresented backgrounds in completing their degrees, provides a powerful case study in building sustainable models for long-term impact.

Beyond the keynote, the event emphasizes the power of peer-to-peer connection. For many leaders of smaller nonprofits, the isolation of their roles can be a significant barrier to innovation. The conference provides a rare forum to exchange ideas, share best practices, and build a network of support with peers facing similar challenges. This focus on community-building is a core tenet of the event’s mission.

The day’s agenda will feature a strong lineup of regional leaders sharing their expertise. Speakers include Angela Taylor, president of the Taylor LEAD Foundation; Megan Tanous, chief development director for St. Luke’s Wood River Foundation; Trent Smither, director of development at Sun Valley Community School; and Jill Nishi, CEO of Philanthropy Northwest. These sessions are intended to provide attendees with actionable insights on everything from donor engagement to operational efficiency.

This educational initiative is a direct extension of Mercer Advisors' broader mission to provide “Economic Freedom” for its clients, a principle it applies to families and organizations alike. As one of the nation's top-ranked RIA firms with over $95 billion in client assets and more than 190 nonprofit clients, the company leverages its considerable resources to bolster the philanthropic sector.

The 2026 Sun Valley conference is part of a continuing series, signaling a long-term commitment to nonprofit empowerment. The next event is already scheduled for April 20 in San Francisco, with additional conferences planned for other local communities later in the year.