Seara Grundhoefer

Senior Analyst, Research

Seara supports the research team at CEP in designing studies, analyzing quantitative and qualitative data, and writing reports.

Prior to joining CEP in October 2023, Seara worked in international development, contributing to program and impact evaluations of US-government funded projects across a range of subject areas, including health, infrastructure, and migration. Seara also graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with Bachelor’s degrees in Economics and Political Science.

Outside of work, Seara enjoys taking ballet classes, reading about ancient Greece and Rome, and finding new podcasts about niche topics.

Seara Grundhoefer's Blog Posts

Governing Through Uncertainty: In Conversation About Newly Released CEP Research
Kevin Bolduc Vice President, Assessment and Advisory Services, CEP
Seara Grundhoefer Senior Analyst, Research

In this conversation, CEP’s Vice President of Assessment and Advisory Services Kevin Bolduc talks with CEP Senior Research Analyst Seara Grundhoefer about data CEP just released that explores the role and responsibilities of foundation boards in helping their...

New Data Reveals a Sector in Crisis, But Steadfastly Mission-Focused
Ellie Buteau, Ph.D. Director of Research Projects and Special Advisor on Research Methodology and Analysis, CEP
Seara Grundhoefer Senior Analyst, Research

The importance of nonprofits’ work in the United States cannot be understated. In the words of one nonprofit leader CEP interviewed in the fall of last year: "Nonprofits are the backbone of our communities. We connect people to vital services, nutritious food,...

AI With Purpose: As Funders and Nonprofits Adopt AI, What’s Missing?
Seara Grundhoefer Senior Analyst, Research

“If equity is the goal, the nonprofit sector must be at the [AI] table from the start. Without us, equitable AI won’t happen. With us, it’s possible.” These are words shared by a nonprofit leader who responded to the Center for Effective Philanthropy’s (CEP)...

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Recent Blogs

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Philanthropy in Prose: Why Better Grantmaking Matters Now More Than Ever
Daniel Stid Senior Fellow, American Enterprise Institute

by Daniel StidLauren Chan | Jun 4, 2026

The Center for Effective Philanthropy (CEP) has recently shared some sobering survey data in “State of Nonprofits 2026: What Funders Need to Know.” The proportion of nonprofit CEOs who report that their own sense of feeling burned out is “very much a concern” has...

A ‘Perfect Storm’: One Nonprofit Leader on Fear, Funding, and Finding a Way Through
Caroline Gasparini Coordinator, Research, CEP
Elizabeth Lindsey Executive Director, Genesys Works National Capital Region

by Caroline Gasparini, Elizabeth LindseyLauren Chan | Jun 2, 2026

“We have had to be agile, flexible, and optimistic in ways that I haven't experienced before.” Elizabeth Lindsey, who leads the Washington, DC area location of the youth-empowerment nonprofit Genesys Works, has spent most of her career in the...

An Urgent ‘Passing Gear’ Call to Action: Leveraging Foundation Grantmaking in a Landscape of Retrenchment
Jon Pratt Senior Research Fellow, Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, Nonprofit Financial Commons
Ruth McCambridge Director of Content, Nonprofit Financial Commons

by Jon Pratt, Ruth McCambridgeChloe Heskett | May 28, 2026

In CEP’s latest research report, “The State of Nonprofits 2026,” one of its three major findings is that “despite ongoing financial challenges, many nonprofits are making strategic adaptations to their work in order to survive.” That is absolutely right — but is...