Innovation Rooted in Care: NBA Giving Week Offers Insights Into What’s Emerging

“A commitment to innovation is an integral part of the safe and brave spaces leaders and communities need to thrive.” -Rev. Sydney Avent, NBA Board of Trustee member

During the 2026 Giving Week, the National Benevolent Association invited supporters into a focused week of generosity, conversation, and storytelling centered on the theme Innovation in Action, building off NBA’s core value of “innovative approaches to strengthen visionary leaders and empower communities of care.”

Rather than presenting innovation as change for its own sake, the campaign framed innovation as faithful adaptation, creative response, and relationship-centered action that strengthens leaders, organizations, and communities.

Throughout the week, NBA highlighted how innovation is taking shape across its ministry through live engagement, new storytelling efforts, and emerging support for mission-driven organizations. One key moment was Ask Mark Anything, a live conversation hosted by NBA President and CEO Mark D. Anderson and featuring special guests Rev. Jorge Cotto and Rev. Kathryn Perry, NBA Board of Trustees; Rev. Dr. Christal Williams, mentor for NBA’s Black Women’s Leadership Experience (BWLE) Program and Aliyah Perkins, former BWLE resident; and Rev. Darnell Fennell, NBA’s Director of Social Entrepreneurship.

The event invited supporters to ask questions, hear directly from NBA leadership, and explore how NBA is responding to changing needs through leadership, social entrepreneurship, and community-centered work. “We are listening to people to hear what the needs are out there,” remarks Anderson. “What’s the need of the leaders? What are the needs of congregations? What are the needs of our health and social service partners? Then, we are figuring out how to adapt and change and innovate to meet those needs.”

Giving Week also previewed Creating Communities of Justice and Care, NBA’s forthcoming podcast hosted by Anderson and NBA Director of Young Adult Leadership Development Rev. Bere Gil Soto. Launching this fall, the podcast will feature conversations with leaders, pastors, practitioners, and changemakers such as Rev. Katie Hays, Emmanuel Freeman, Rev. Terri Hord Owens, Rev. Lori Tapia, exploring justice, care, leadership, compassion, and innovation in today’s world. As NBA approaches its 140th anniversary, the podcast offers a new way to listen, learn, connect, and share stories from across the NBA network.

Another example of innovation in action is NBA’s emerging Technology Consulting Services initiative. As nonprofits navigate rapidly changing technology, increasing security needs, and growing demands on staff and resources, this initiative is being designed to offer assessments, consultation, education, and practical support. By helping organizations better understand and use technology, NBA seeks to strengthen organizational capacity for nonprofits and support leaders as they focus on their mission.

Each of these efforts reflects a shared purpose: helping leaders, organizations, and communities adapt, grow, and thrive. NBA Giving Week reminded supporters that innovation often begins with listening, deepens through relationships, and becomes possible when people are willing to invest in what is emerging.

Thank you to everyone who followed along, joined the conversation, shared a post, asked a question, or made a gift. Your generosity helps NBA continue building new possibilities rooted in justice, care, and faithful imagination.