The Rena Coughlin Research Fund (RCRF) was established by the Nonprofit Center to honor the groundbreaking work of Rena Coughlin, our long-time CEO who retired in December 2023.

In her 18 years as the organization’s leader, Rena pioneered using research to develop programming, and propel action and community engagement that benefits the local nonprofit sector. The Nonprofit Center has provided credible, locally relevant, compelling research that has resulted in a stronger local sector and significantly increased perceptions of it in the community.

The Nonprofit Center was founded on the principle that nonprofits should be leading on key community challenges, not sitting on the sidelines waiting to find out how policy changes will affect their constituents. Since that time, the Nonprofit Center’s research has led to significant improvement in community perceptions of the sector and increases in nonprofits’ financial sustainability, political power, and professionalization. The Rena Coughlin Research Fund is ensureing that the nonprofit sector will have a strong and enduring voice in leading Northeast Florida into the future.

To date the RCRF has received donations and pledges totalling nearly $572,000 of our $750,000 goal. These  dollars will provide up to 5 years of resources to support research and the related programming, communications and advocacy that will keep local nonprofits at the forefront of timely issues and innovation.