“The good news is that I would not anticipate any layoffs in the foundation world in 2010. I think that the majority of funders have leveled out to the staffing levels they can and are likely to maintain for a while. The less encouraging news is that I would not predict large-scale hiring in the sector in the coming year … I think we will see a handful of funders adding positions … but we’re not anticipating a large number of positions being added or filled.”

Miki Akimoto, Acting president, Associated Grant Makers

“A lot of nonprofits depend on foundation funding and endowments have taken a big hit in this past year. Even though they may be emerging a bit, it was pretty bad. … The nonprofit sector led the recovery in the last recession. And we can hope that will happen again.”

David Magnani, Executive director, Massachusetts Nonprofit Network

More than 200 Massachusetts leaders who gathered in Boston today were told that, in an environment marked by greater demand for services and shakier funding, they need to evolve operations to focus more on their mission and less on traditional ways of doing business.

Speaking at a forum convened by Associated Grant Makers, Geeta Pradhan, director of programs at The Boston Foundation, said, “Nonprofits must place a stronger emphasis on mission. They must recognize that government funding will go down, which will force them to be more creative about finding more revenue and in the way they deliver services. It will mean better coordination of services among organizations to deliver greater impact.”

For public relations executive Amy Goodrich, the new year meant a new addition to her job description: lobbyist.

The senior vice president for communications and public affairs at Liberty Square Group in Boston registered as a lobbyist in response to Massachusetts’ new lobbying law. Although she handles mainly PR work for organizations like unions and nonprofits, she and several of her co-workers are being cautious.

“We’re doing everything we can so we’re on the safe side,” Goodrich said.