Expanding impact in Southeast Asia
From preserving Indigenous culture, to helping disadvantaged young people, nonprofits across the Philippines are taking on some of the country’s most urgent challenges. But like many mission-driven organizations, they must answer a key question: How do we build the internal strength to keep doing our work, and do it well?
This August in Manila, six inspiring organizations – including the CRIBS Foundation, Best Buddies Philippines, and the Cartwheel Foundation – came together for an intensive workshop comprising 190 participants which sparked powerful conversations about leading teams, prioritizing workloads, and building stronger, more resilient organizations.
Through McKinsey.org’s Ability to Execute (A2E) for Nonprofits program, these organizations are building the systems, habits, and skills they need to better serve their communities today and long into the future.
Different missions, shared challenges
Despite serving different communities across the country, these nonprofits found that they shared many of the same challenges. Most were small, mission-driven teams fueled by purpose but facing the pressures of scale, sustainability, and burnout.
Michelle Aventajado, Executive Director and President of Best Buddies Philippines, a nonprofit dedicated to fostering inclusive friendships and empowering individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, describes the experience at her organization:
“So much of what we’ve done has been driven by passion,” says Michelle. “But that can only take you so far when trying to scale. Our lean-but-mighty team of five has signed on wholeheartedly to our mission; but even then, we are starting to feel the strain.”
Even finding opportunities to build the skills to address these challenges was difficult. As Katchie Dimalaluan, Executive Director of the CRIBS Foundation, explains, her organization – which cares for abandoned, neglected, and dependent children as well as young female victims of sexual abuse – faced this barrier too.
“Learning new skills sustainably is always a challenge, especially in today’s fast-paced world,” says Katchie. “The [A2E] program gave us an opportunity to build corporate-level skills in our small organization. It strengthened our systems and has opened doors to further opportunities. It felt like someone handed us a compass and a map to help navigate nonprofit leadership with more confidence.”
Building stronger nonprofits
Offered at no cost to organizations or their people, A2E for Nonprofits reflects McKinsey.org’s commitment to expanding opportunity; helping communities grow stronger, people build brighter futures, and economies thrive.
Since 2022, A2E has taken frontline staff and senior leaders alike on a six-month learning journey built around nine essential workplace skills. The aim is to help nonprofits unlock their full potential and deliver even greater impact. To date, the program has reached more than 9,500 employees across 140 organizations worldwide, collectively serving over 50 million people.
The Manila workshop marks an exciting new chapter for McKinsey.org in Southeast Asia and the very first time A2E for Nonprofits has been brought to the Philippines.
Practical transformation
For the participating organizations, the program has already sparked change, with early benefits beginning to take root.
“We now discuss things that matter in our meetings. We’ve been able to streamline and standardize what we talk about,” says Katchie. “Another thing is that we now have clarity in our communication. We’re excited for everyone in our organization to be using these skills so that we are all aligned and singing the same tune.”
For many, the biggest shift has been around structure and accountability. “I used to worry about deadlines and felt like I was micromanaging,” one participant reflects. “Now my team uses the tools themselves; defining the ‘whys,’ ‘whens,’ and ‘whos.’ Meetings feel more meaningful, and the training has stuck with us in a way that others often don’t.”
Better outcomes for Filipino communities
Taken together, these shifts in ways of working are already transforming how these nonprofits operate. And as participants emphasized, the benefits aren’t just internal: stronger organizations mean stronger partnerships, better programs, and deeper impact across the communities they serve.
For the CRIBS Foundation, the changes inside the organization are already being reflected in the lives of the children they serve. “I’ve seen children move from trauma to trust, and from fear to hope,” shared Katchie. “It’s in those quiet moments of transformation that we’re reminded why we do what we do. Partnering with McKinsey has been a game changer – it didn’t just strengthen our systems, it reminded us that even a small organization can lead with clarity, courage, and confidence.”
For Michelle, who has worked with people with additional needs for over 30 years, this is a deeply personal issue. For her, every second that is saved to focus on enhancing programs, securing new funding, or improving their community events is a win. “individuals with intellectual and developmental diversities still face so much disparity and discrimination,” she says. “We stand in the gap. Helping them to build friendships, integrate into society, and become productive members of the workforce.
As the Philippine organizations that took part in A2E for Nonprofits continue to grow in strength and confidence, their impact will extend far beyond their walls, reaching children, families, and communities across the country. Together, these organizations are proving that when nonprofits are equipped to thrive, the opportunities for change are profound.