A Summer of Self-Care for the Nonprofit
I donʻt know about you but I love summer! Why? There’s a myriad of reasons, including that I come from a long line of water people (e.g. Waikiki beachboys, Olympic swimmer Thelma Kalama, and surfer David Kalama). I love the water, and taking time off to enjoy the many forms of it in Idaho, whether that’s near home or far away, is my jam. I look forward to it because it renews, re-energizes and grounds me; it's total self-care! You can usually find me near waterways and pools during the summer. The healing properties of the outdoors are real and powerful. As a full-time volunteer CEO for Idaho Partners for Good I have to ensure I do not burn out by building in a lot of self-care time. It also helps to have a husband who calls time out when I need it.
But who provides the self-care needed to support the amazing work in Idaho’s nonprofit sector? While we know this sector is experiencing positive innovations and trends, there are also negative challenges that need to be navigated for any nonprofit to remain healthy and whole. If donors like us don’t start showing up differently by giving more strategically, these trends could topple the very nonprofits we care about! As a donor, recognize these signs and help get them the help they need. We made recommendations to address these myriad of challenges.
Leadership Challenges: Nonprofit leaders, particularly those from marginalized communities, often face significant barriers such as the "glass cliff" phenomenon, where they are placed in precarious leadership positions without adequate support. This can lead to high turnover and burnout among women leaders and leaders of color, affecting organizational stability (Johnson Center for Philanthropy).
Self-Care Recommendation: Encourage leaders to sign up to participate in the Transformational Leadership Cohort or to avail themselves of best-in-class training through the monthly Nonprofit Success Lab.Economic Uncertainty: The ongoing economic volatility, influenced by global events and inflation, continues to affect nonprofit funding. Donor priorities shift, and budget constraints can lead to reduced donations and grants, making it harder for nonprofits to sustain their operations and programs (Grants for Nonprofits | Instrumentl). Self-
Care Recommendation: To help fill the gap, learn about alternative funding methods, like Program Related Investments (PRI). Knowing whatʻs available besides the traditional options is something Idaho philanthropists need to consider doing a lot more of.Increased Competition for Funding: As more nonprofits emerge, competition for limited funding resources intensifies. This makes it difficult for smaller or newer organizations to secure the financial support they need, potentially leading to a consolidation of funding among larger, more established nonprofits (Grants for Nonprofits | Instrumentl).
Self-Care Recommendation: funders need to incentivize collaboration to reduce competition both at the philanthropic level and in their giving. Counsel people who want to start a new nonprofit to first consider other alternatives. We can help.Donor Fatigue: With the increasing frequency and intensity of fundraising campaigns, donors are experiencing fatigue, leading to decreased engagement and contributions. This challenge is compounded by economic pressures that may reduce individuals' capacity to donate (Grants for Nonprofits | Instrumentl) (Johnson Center for Philanthropy).
Self-Care Recommendation: Part of the fatigue is because donors don’t have an effective giving strategy. Use our Strategic Charitable Giving 101 framework so you can stay aligned with your values while giving for more impact.Privacy and Ethical Concerns with Technology: The adoption of AI and other advanced technologies brings concerns about privacy, data security, and ethical use. Nonprofits must navigate these issues carefully to maintain trust with their supporters while leveraging new tools for efficiency and engagement (Grants for Nonprofits | Instrumentl).
Self-Care Recommendation: If the nonprofits you work with don’t have an AI policy yet we are happy to share ours.Regulatory and Compliance Pressures: Nonprofits are subject to increasing regulatory scrutiny and compliance requirements, which can be burdensome, especially for smaller organizations. Keeping up with evolving regulations and maintaining compliance requires resources that might otherwise be directed towards programmatic activities (Johnson Center for Philanthropy).
Self-Care Recommendation: Another reason to join the monthly Nonprofit Success Lab. We have experts available to field questions about a host of challenges faced by directors and leaders. We also have consultants who you can contract with to help nonprofits you care about.Underfunding of Critical Areas: Despite growing needs, certain critical areas like a living wage often remain underfunded. This can exacerbate social inequalities and hinder the ability of nonprofits to address their issues effectively (Johnson Center for Philanthropy).
Self-Care Recommendation: We are a voice in the philanthropic sector and believe that helping donors understand that unrestricted grants are the gold standard is critical. By helping scale the organizational effectiveness approach you're helping to shift the mindsets of traditional philanthropy toward a more equitable model.
Impact of a Digital Divide: While digital tools offer new opportunities, the digital divide can limit the reach and effectiveness of nonprofits, especially those that operate in rural communities. Organizations serving rural or low-income communities in Idaho struggle with technology access, affecting their ability to engage with stakeholders and deliver services (Johnson Center for Philanthropy).
Self-Care Recommendation: Check out the resources our friends at the Idaho Department of Commerce have to support broadband access in Idaho.
Summer self-care is a must for all of us, especially those on the front lines serving the needs of our communities and families! As a leader, others depend on you to show up in a healthy way so be intentional about taking time out to enjoy all this great state has to offer whether that includes water or not. BTW, stop for a chat if you see me on a beach or riverbank this summer.
Disclaimer: this article was co-created with the help of advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology. In our commitment to transparency and innovation, we have utilized AI to help generate this content. The AI system, [ChatGPT], was responsible for providing content based on its programming and algorithms. However, it was co-created, reviewed and approved by our team to ensure it aligns with the mission and values at Idaho Partners for Good. We welcome your feedback as we explore the integration of AI in our work to enhance our impact and efficiency.