In the world of social impact and sustainability, the word of the year 2025 might have been “headwinds.” It became a euphemism for everything from political pressure and regulatory changes to economic uncertainty, AI disruption and social unrest.
But in many ways, the “headwinds” are an understatement of what impact and sustainability leaders in the corporate and nonprofit sectors navigated in a year of budget cuts and evolving risk factors. For much of the past year, leaders in the corporate and nonprofit sectors have been recalibrating approaches to advancing their missions against these trends. In 2026, we will begin to see those new approaches in action.
Based on interviews with dozens of experts, here are five big changes to watch for over the next year in social impact and sustainability.
1: Evolve the sustainability narrative
One of the most visible changes worth noting is that social impact and sustainability are becoming much less visible. For years, companies have made bold commitments, set ambitious goals, and engaged in such storytelling, but they haven’t always followed through on them — a trend that ultimately led Merriam-Webster to add “greenwashing” to its dictionary in 2022.
2025 felt like a correction, as companies reacting to a changing landscape of risk and political attention ushered in a period of “green silencing,” in which companies were reluctant to talk about their sustainability initiatives. As Andrew Winston of Winston Eco-Strategies puts it: “The biggest problem in the US is the strong desire among leadership teams to keep their heads down and say next to nothing about sustainability. Work seems to continue for the most part, but it’s certainly not good for morale or moving forward at speed and scale if your bosses tell you to hide.”
That’s why 2026 is likely to bring another narrative correction that bases the sustainability narrative on business performance and operational rigor, which has always been where sustainability is headed. “The best companies don’t just make promises, they build and execute solutions that scale, measure, and return value,” says Apollo’s Dave Stangis. “Seeing capital, innovation and results aligned always gives me optimism.”
2: Adopt a new leadership mindset
A results-focused organization also requires laser focus from its leaders. As Alison Taylor of Ethical Systems points out, the rapid disruption of 2025 made it difficult to find this approach: “Many of the core assumptions of sustainability no longer apply, and a rethinking of the profession is necessary. The professionals I speak to are struggling with terminology, legal risk and threats to their roles. While it is true that there is great work going on behind the scenes, it is difficult for most leaders I speak to to maintain organizational momentum, simply because there is a lot to fight.” do”.
2026 will bring new fires to fight, but the demand for results and focus will give rise to a new mindset for leaders. Kristen Titus of the Titus Group predicts that leaders will emerge from this period of uncertainty and paralysis with a renewed willingness to engage: “Customers, customers and employees are hungry for engagement and long for moral leadership. Those who step forward with clarity and courage will help define the next chapter of impact and sustainability.”
3: Align rapid response with long-term goals
One strategy that helps impact leaders maintain their focus involves finding ways to connect the immediate needs of their communities with a long-term business strategy.
Uncertainty requires agility, as Laura Turner, vice president and director of Community Impact at TIAA, notes: “Most businesses have flexible financing that can adapt to unexpected needs. When the government shutdown hit, TIAA’s first-generation college student program pivoted quickly, redirecting funds to local food banks. That flexibility is no longer just a nice-to-have, it’s essential for navigating uncertainty.”
For many organizations, balancing immediate and long-term needs also means AI-proofing their impact strategy. Royal Bank of Canada, for example, is leveraging business expertise and resources around AI adoption to help nonprofit partners keep pace with innovation. “There is broad consensus that AI and digital innovation can drive the greatest economic transformation in a generation. And yet, at this very moment, the nonprofit sector faces unprecedented stresses and ongoing barriers to funding and technical training. Without intentional support, the sector risks being left behind.” said Kara Gustafson, president of the RBC Foundation USA.
4: Put well-being first
All of this uncertainty and disruption has taken its toll on professionals in this space in 2025. In 2026, well-being will become a core function of impact strategy, in response to workforce and community needs.
Haviland Sharvit, CEO of Susan Crown Exchange (Susan Crown Exchange and TIAA, above, are clients of mine), predicts that more businesses and nonprofits will meet the moment with an impact strategy focused on youth well-being in the age of AI: “Rapid advances in technology and AI offer powerful opportunities for learning and connection. Yet impact leaders face growing stress on youth mental health, widening digital inequalities, advances that have surpassed youth protections.” and the erosion of real human connection. We will see a shift towards promoting and safeguarding the well-being of young people in an AI-driven world, more attention to responsible technology and greater investment in human connection.”
5: Invest in the community
In the midst of all this disruption, we asked leaders what gives them hope and a common refrain emerged: we find hope in each other.
Community is and will continue to be everything. In real and virtual rooms across the country (and in impact networks like Trellis, the UN Global Compact, NationSwell, and many more), leaders spent the year 2025 reflecting, commiserating, and charting a new course forward.
The last prediction I will offer is my own: impact networks and convening spaces will grow rapidly in 2026, as new communities of practice emerge and existing communities grow. With all the growth and learning that 2026 holds, finding safe spaces for reflection, knowledge sharing, and collaboration is a top priority for impact leaders.