Dear YANA Community,
We recognize that the world is especially challenging right now—marked by uncertainty, division, disasters, and urgent social issues. Amid it all, we remain committed to supporting the people and organizations driving meaningful change. Together, we’ll continue to build connections, foster resilience, and amplify impact.
We hope this February Newsletter offers a bit of light and encouragement. It’s a reminder that despite today’s challenges, so many in our community are doing remarkable work. Thank you for being part of this mission.
With gratitude,
Kristin Urquiza & Liana Scarim
YANA Executive Director & Communications Director
Support the Next Generation of Yale Social Impact Leaders
The YANA–Dwight Hall Summer Fellowship is a transformative program that empowers Yale students to dedicate their summers to creating meaningful social impact. Now in its eighth year, this collaboration between the Yale Alumni Nonprofit Alliance (YANA) and Dwight Hall at Yale provides funding and support for students passionate about addressing critical societal challenges, including public health, environmental justice, and educational access.
In 2024, YANA contributed $34,000, which directly supported eight fellows and allowed Dwight Hall to increase its total fellowships by 25%. These students contributed over 6,600 hours of service across New Haven and beyond, working hands-on with community organizations to tackle pressing issues.
The Fellowship offers more than just financial support—it provides a comprehensive learning experience. Fellows participate in workshops focused on professional growth, networking, mentorship, and critical reflection, helping them build the skills and knowledge necessary for impactful careers in the social sector. This holistic approach ensures that students not only make a difference in their communities but also gain valuable pre-professional experience that shapes their future paths.
The demand for this program is greater than ever. Many qualified students continue to be turned away due to limited funding, highlighting the continued need for donor support.
Your contributions play a crucial role in expanding opportunities for Yale students to engage in social impact work. Together, we can empower the next generation of changemakers to tackle the world’s most pressing challenges.
Learn more about the YANA–Dwight Hall Summer Fellowship and how you can support future fellows here.
UPCOMING EVENTS & OPPORTUNITIES
YANA Town Halls are Live from New York!
YANA Town Halls provide an opportunity for mission-driven alums to exchange ideas and information to help achieve social impact. These events occur live at the Yale Club of NYC and via Zoom.
You don’t need to be a member of the Yale Club to join us in person!
Register now for our February event:
YANA-Dwight Hall Fellowship
Feb. 26 | In-Person (Yale Club of NYC) & via Zoom
Join us at the Yale Club for a special Town Hall featuring Peter Crumlish, Executive Director of Dwight Hall, in conversation with YANA–Dwight Hall alumnus Marwan Jalani. Hear how the Fellowship shapes student experiences and drives social impact. Don’t miss this inspiring discussion!
Nonprofits: Need a Summer Intern?
Empowering Students Through Summer Internships: YANA’s New Initiative
We’re thrilled to announce a new initiative from the YANA Student Chapter, aimed at connecting Yale students with transformative summer internships in the nonprofit sector. This program offers students the chance to gain hands-on experience, develop professional skills, and contribute to meaningful social impact projects during their summer break.
We’re thrilled to announce a new initiative from the YANA Student Chapter, aimed at connecting Yale students with transformative summer internships in the nonprofit sector. This program offers students the chance to gain hands-on experience, develop professional skills, and contribute to meaningful social impact projects during their summer break.
As part of this effort, we are creating a Nonprofit Summer Internship Directory featuring opportunities from nonprofits across our YANA network. Whether your organization is looking for passionate students to support program development, research, communications, or on-the-ground projects, this is your chance to engage with the next generation of changemakers.
How it Works:
Nonprofits can easily submit their internship opportunities through a dedicated intake form. The YANA Student Chapter will actively promote the directory on campus, ensuring high visibility among Yale students eager to make a difference. This is a win-win: students gain invaluable experience while nonprofits benefit from fresh perspectives and dedicated support.
Why Participate?
- Access Talented Yale Students: Tap into a pool of driven, socially conscious individuals ready to contribute.
- Boost Your Mission: Expand your organization’s capacity with passionate interns eager to learn and support your work.
- Strengthen the YANA Community: Foster intergenerational connections and mentorship opportunities that align with YANA’s mission of empowering social impact leaders.
Ready to get involved? Submit your internship opportunity and help us create meaningful opportunities for Yale students this summer!
2025 For Humanity Illuminated Events
Multiple Dates & Locations
Connect with members of the Yale community and learn about the dedicated people, innovative programs, and groundbreaking ideas that expand Yale’s potential to improve and enrich lives—today and into the future. President Maurie McInnis will headline our new season of events, beginning January 2025.
Join us in person or watch the livestream.
YANA INSIGHTS & CONNECTIONS
Nonprofits Under Threat: Why Donors Must Act Now
photo: Jack Devlin
The U.S. nonprofit sector, vital to countless communities, is under increasing strain due to declining donations, staff burnout, and political threats. A recent article from Nonprofit Quarterly highlights these alarming trends, calling on donors to take action.
Donation rates have dropped significantly, with fewer American households contributing to charitable organizations than in previous decades. This decline, combined with a tougher fundraising environment, puts nonprofits at risk of scaling back essential services. Compounding this challenge is widespread burnout among nonprofit staff, many of whom work long hours for low wages while tackling complex social issues. This burnout threatens the stability and continuity of services that many communities rely on.
Adding to these pressures are political threats that undermine the sector’s integrity. Increasingly, nonprofits are being targeted by legislation and political rhetoric that threatens their tax-exempt status or seeks to delegitimize their missions. This hostile environment jeopardizes the diversity and independence of the nonprofit sector, which plays a crucial role in maintaining a healthy democracy.
Transforming Board Dynamics: The Governance as Support Model
photo: Michael Marsland
Many nonprofit boards grapple with finding the right balance between governance and meaningful support. The Governance as Support model offers a fresh perspective, redefining the board’s role from a primarily oversight body to a collaborative, strategic partner. This approach emphasizes the board’s responsibility to actively contribute to an organization’s mission through expertise, resources, and thoughtful guidance.
In this model, the relationship between executive leadership and the board shifts from a compliance-driven dynamic to one rooted in trust and shared goals. Board members leverage their skills and networks to directly support organizational objectives, whether through strategic planning, fundraising, or advocacy. This fosters stronger partnerships between board members and staff, reducing tension and increasing alignment.
Key components of this model include rethinking board meetings to focus on forward-looking, problem-solving discussions rather than just reporting. It also encourages tailoring board recruitment to align diverse expertise with the organization’s evolving needs.
If your nonprofit board feels more like a regulatory entity than a mission-driven partner, the Governance as Support model might be the key to fostering a more dynamic and effective leadership structure. By shifting focus from control to collaboration, organizations can unlock new levels of creativity, engagement, and impact.
YALIES IN SOCIAL IMPACT
Empowering Communities Through Philanthropy: C’Ardiss “CC” Gardner Gleser’s Vision for Systemic Change
C’Ardiss “CC” Gardner Gleser, founder of Black Ivy Collective, works to reshape philanthropy by centering community voices, pushing for equity and trust-based giving. Her work inspires a more just, inclusive future.
An adult graduate of Yale, CC’s path is marked by purpose. She founded Black Ivy Collective, a consulting service that emphasizes trust-based giving, systemic change, and returning decision-making power to the communities served.
Before Yale, CC built a career in truck manufacturing and tech but found her calling in nonprofit work with organizations like Technology Access Foundation and Rainier Scholars. Witnessing systemic inequities in grantmaking inspired her transition to philanthropy, where she now focuses on shifting resources toward historically marginalized communities.
By challenging traditional philanthropic models and advocating for transparency and collaboration, CC’s leadership is transforming how resources are allocated and how communities are empowered. Her work pushes beyond transactional giving, fostering genuine partnerships that amplify community-driven solutions.
CC’s personal journey—navigating higher education as an adult, balancing family life, and shifting careers—has instilled in her a profound commitment to equity and justice. Her story serves as a powerful reminder that lived experience is an invaluable asset in driving meaningful, sustainable change.
Learn more about CC’s journey and Black Ivy Collective here.
YANA Student Fellowship in Action: Merit Onyekwere ’26 Advances Public Health Through Innovative Research
Last summer, Merit Onyekwere ’26, a YANA–Dwight Hall Summer Fellow, made significant contributions to public health through her work with SalivaDirect at the Yale School of Public Health. Merit’s research focused on comparing the efficacy of various sample collection methods for detecting respiratory pathogens like RSV and Streptococcus pneumoniae in children. This innovative research holds the potential to improve diagnostic methods, making testing more accessible and less invasive for pediatric populations, particularly in underserved communities.
Throughout the Fellowship, Merit gained hands-on experience in both clinical and laboratory settings. They learned to collect and process samples, conduct PCR assays, and analyze data to identify the most prevalent pathogens in New Haven communities. This work not only contributed to immediate public health needs but also informed future vaccine development strategies.
Merit’s summer was more than just a research opportunity—it was a transformative experience that solidified their commitment to a career in public health and medicine. The Fellowship’s workshops on professional development, mentorship, and critical reflection provided Merit with the tools to navigate the social impact sector confidently.
Reflecting on their experience, Merit shared, “This Fellowship allowed me to see firsthand how research can directly impact community health. It reaffirmed my passion for making healthcare more accessible and equitable.”
As Merit continues her journey at Yale, she carries forward the skills, knowledge, and inspiration gained from the YANA–Dwight Hall Summer Fellowship. Her work exemplifies the program’s mission to empower students to drive meaningful social change.
Merit is just one of 32 fellows YOU have supported in meaningful summer internships. Learn more about past fellows and their projects!