In this On Air episode, Assistant Vice President of Nonprofit and Human Services Elisabeth Aleman sat down with Jennifer Johnson, senior corporate communications specialist, to share timely insights into the evolving nonprofit landscape. From funding uncertainty and increasing demand to risk management priorities, Elisabeth discusses what organizations are facing in 2026 — and how our team at Church Mutual is supporting them.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Q: Before we dive into insurance specifics, what does the current landscape look like in the nonprofit space?
Elisabeth A.: The nonprofit space continues to face a lot of uncertainty. Organizations don’t have a clear picture of how their work is going to be done or who’s going to be doing it. This is driven by both funding and economic uncertainties.
We did a survey at the end of last year that showed one out of every four Americans is planning on cutting back on charitable giving this year. That points to uncertainty many are facing — not just nonprofits. We’re also at a moment where demand is at its peak, and external threats are at their peak in terms of being able to operate.
Nonprofits are figuring out how to do more with less. Technology is a big topic — how can they use it to get more work done? And how can they diversify revenue streams, especially if they rely heavily on certain grant funding? Labor issues continue to be a concern as well. All of this brings us into a tumultuous environment, but nonprofits are resilient and committed to the work they’re doing. It’s neat to see that resilience during these times. They’re trying to stay as mission-focused as possible while also managing all of these factors at play.
Q: As nonprofits work hard to meet rising community needs, risk management sometimes falls behind. What resources does Church Mutual provide to help them save time and money?
Elisabeth A.: That’s a big part of our service offering — what we can provide from a risk management standpoint. Reputational risk is at the forefront for every nonprofit. They have a vested interest in keeping negative stories out of the limelight, because negative press can affect supporters and funding flows.
With that comes the importance of safety. Our approach is highly customized. We want to understand what each organization needs — not just throw materials at them. What does their risk manager provide? What does their broker provide? Where can we fill the gap?
Our Risk Control department partners with many wonderful organizations that offer training and safety materials. For larger accounts, we often do pre or post bind meetings to really understand their needs and how we can help.
It’s part of the boutique kind of service we provide, and it really differentiates Church Mutual.
Q: What are our nonprofit team’s top priorities for 2026?
Elisabeth A.: We’ve been laying a lot of groundwork over the last year. Our underwriters are very present in the marketplace — more than ever — really identifying who we need to be connected with.
We’re being strategic and intentional about where we spend our time. We’re building relationships with teams and individuals we haven’t worked with before. It’s been great to see those relationships develop.
Another big priority is being more visible in the marketplace. Participation in industry events and conferences is important. We have a great story to tell and a solid product offering. We just need more people to know that we’re open for business and eager to partner.
Q: Competition in the nonprofit space includes some very large players. How does Church Mutual set itself apart?
Elisabeth A.: Our biggest differentiators are our people and our mindset.
We take a "how can we" approach to every submission. Nonprofits have tough exposures, so mindset is very important. When brokers come to us and say, “I have this—what do you think?” we can talk through it and explore options to make it work.
That helps set us apart. Our brokers want to work with us, and eventually we want to get to where they feel like they need us — like Church Mutual has to be one of their nonprofit options.
Q: What do you find most rewarding about working with nonprofits?
Elisabeth A.: Nonprofits are vital to our communities — they’re the fabric of them — and they do such good work. It’s a privilege to be dedicated to this sector.
It’s refreshing, and the best part is the people. Both our customers, who have good intentions and the greater good in mind, and the brokers who focus on this business — they have big hearts and are great to work with. I’ve worked across many industries, and the nonprofit sector brings together a wonderful group of people.
It’s a great feeling to provide insurance solutions that help organizations focus on doing good in their communities.
