As 2026 begins, nonprofit boards and executive leaders are facing a clear reality: leadership transitions are no longer a future concern—they’re happening now. The executive leadership movement continues to rise, making succession planning and leadership readiness critical to maintaining organizational stability.

To better understand these growing departure trends, KEES is conducting a brief survey focused on leadership transitions. Your perspective will help capture real-time trends shaping nonprofit leadership in 2026.

➡️ Take our one-question survey HERE! ⬅️

Through our work with nonprofit organizations, KEES is seeing increased executive movement across Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Executive Director, and senior leadership roles nationwide. Organizations that plan early for leadership change are better positioned to:

• • Maintain organizational momentum during executive transitions
• • Protect mission, culture, and stakeholder trust
• • Ensure continuity with funders, boards, and communities served
• • Reduce risk associated with unplanned leadership departures

Key Leadership Questions Boards Should Be Asking Now

• • Are financial goals and executive compensation properly benchmarked?
• • Do we have a succession plan in place for key leadership roles?
• • Is our organizational structure aligned with strategic priorities?
• • Are leadership transitions likely in the year ahead? Are you expecting any retirements?
• • Are we prepared for both planned and unplanned executive transitions?
• • If a leadership transition occurs, do we have an executive search strategy and a trusted search partner in place?

Interested in a printable list of questions to take to your next board meeting? Click here to download.

We’ll be sharing insights from this poll in an upcoming KEES blog, highlighting what nonprofit leaders are experiencing now and what it means for leadership transitions in 2026 and beyond.

– Amanda Emerson, Assistant Vice President, Business Development