Recap

On September 24, 2025, Life Science Cares Philadelphia convened nonprofit leaders from across the city for a roundtable discussion on the realities they are facing today. It was a powerful morning of candor and collaboration, underscoring both the strain and the resilience of the nonprofit sector.

What We Heard

Nonprofit voices spoke clearly about the challenges pressing on their organizations and the communities they serve:

• Instability in funding and the ripple effects of federal budget cuts

• Burnout, staff turnover, and difficulty recruiting volunteers

• The growing demand for services outpacing resources

• Barriers such as workforce development gaps and limited transportation access

• The need for unrestricted support and authentic partnership from funders

Despite the weight of these realities, the conversation was also filled with creativity, collaboration, and hope. Leaders emphasized that nonprofits are not simply service providers, but vital infrastructure holding communities together.

Moving Forward Together

Life Science Cares exists to disrupt poverty by connecting the strength of the life sciences with the resilience of nonprofits on the ground. We hosted this roundtable because listening is the first step in building stronger solutions. What we heard is shaping how we refine our formula for change and how we activate thought partners across the life science industry who are ready to help.

As a first step, we announced a new unrestricted funding pool that will launch soon, directly reflecting the needs expressed in the room. We also encouraged organizations to make use of the Network of Good (NOG) platform to creatively recruit volunteers, and we will continue to lift up nonprofit stories to our Board of Managers, corporate partners, and civic leaders.

Closing Reflection

The morning ended with a question of hope: “If you could grant your organization one wish right now, what would it be?” Responses ranged from staff capacity and volunteer pipelines to sustainable funding and strong partnerships. These reflections will guide our next steps as we carry these voices forward into the broader life sciences ecosystem.

We are grateful to our partners who made the roundtable possible, including Korn Ferry, the Satell Institute, and Brandywine Realty Trust.

Life Science Cares will continue to convene these conversations and amplify nonprofit voices, ensuring the needs of the sector shape the way we invest, partner, and drive lasting change in Philadelphia.