The past 12 months have featured a number of major events that have affected, and will continue to affect, the nonprofit sector. In 2015, nonprofits mobilized to help with major crises, including the almost 8.0 magnitude earthquake in Nepal, the influx of migrant and refugees seeking new homes, and the continued socio-economic and racial inequalities in the United States. On the administrative, legislative, and foreign policy front, Congress passed legislation that will enhance charitable giving by making three essential tax incentives permanent, the IRS issued guidance that will permit private foundations to make impact investments, and nearly 200 countries reached an agreement to address climate change. And in a historic decision, the US Supreme Court ruled that the Constitution provides same-sex couples the right to marry. Here is a list of our top 10 events of 2015 affecting the nonprofit sector in the United States and a few links regarding each:

1. Nepal Earthquake

   • Nonprofits Mobilize in Wake of Deadly Nepal Earthquake [The Chronicle of Philanthropy]
   • The Multiple Roots of the Excruciatingly Slow Aid Response in Nepal [Nonprofit Quarterly]

2. Refugee and Migrant Crisis in the Central America, Middle East, Africa, and Europe

   • The Crisis of Immigrant Children: Nonprofits Can Help, but Cannot Solve It [Nonprofit Quarterly]
   • Donors, Relief Agencies Stepping Up For Refugee Crisis [The NonProfit Times]
   • 8 Facts About the U.S. Program to Resettle Syrian Refugees [U.S. News & World Report]
   • MoveOn Takes the Lead in Nonprofits Advocacy for Refugee Crisis Funding [Nonprofit Quarterly]

3. Terror Attacks (Paris, Beirut, Nigeria, Kenya, Elsewhere)

   • We Are All Charlie Hebdo Now [Nonprofit Quarterly]
   • Beirut Wonders if Some Terror Attacks Mean More Than Others [Time]
   • Irresponsible Politicking and Lax Gun Control Laws: A Deadly Mix that Nonprofits Should Counter [Nonprofit Quarterly]
   • 2015 Has Seen Six Terror Attacks Deadlier Than Paris [The Washington Post]

4. Volkswagon Scandal

   • How VW Was Caught Cheating the Emission Tests [Newsweek]
   • The Philanthropy of a Corporate Cheat: Volkswagen [Nonprofit Quarterly]

5. Black Lives Matter (unrest in Baltimore after Freddie Gray)

   • “Our Demand Is Simple: Stop Killing Us” [The New York Times]
   • City’s Nonprofit Sector Springs into Action After Rioting [The Baltimore Sun]

6. The US Supreme Court ruling that the Constitution provides same-sex couples the right to marry

   • Court strikes Down State Bans on Same-Sex Marriage: In Plain English [SCOTUSblog]
   • Supreme Court Ruling Makes Same-Sex Marriage a Right Nationwide [The New York Times]

7. Guidance on Mission Related Investments

   • Investments Made for Charitable Purposes [IRS Guidance]
   • New IRS Rule Likely to Make Impact Investing Easier [The Chronicle of Philanthropy]

8. Paris Agreement on Climate Change

   • What to Know About the Historic ‘Paris Agreement’ on Climate Change [Time]
   • Paris Climate Talks, “Miraculous and Inadequate,” Will Leave a Lasting Impression [Nonprofit Quarterly]
   • The Five Key Decisions Made in the UN Climate Deal in Paris [Bloomberg]

9. Chan Zuckerberg Initiative

   • $45 Billion Zuckerberg-Chan Pledge Has Charities Excited — and Wary [The Chronicle of Philanthropy]
   • Why The Zuckerberg LLC Is Good For Impact Investing [Forbes]

10. Tax Incentives for Charitable Giving Made Permanent in PATH Act of 2015

    • Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015 [National Council of Nonprofits]
    • Giving Incentives Pass House, Senate [The NonProfit Times]