In this period of change and instability for the nonprofit sector, we know the executive orders, memos, and legislation affecting real people is contributing to significant levels of stress, anxiety, and uncertainty among nonprofit professionals. This makes it even more critical to prioritize well-being and resilience.
To help nonprofit workers find respite during these stressful times, we’ve compiled a list of resources on strategies to improve mental health and well-being.
Addressing burnout and financial strain to support nonprofit workers and communities
Nonprofit workers are struggling with burnout, work-life balance, and financial hardship, which affect both their well-being and organizational success. The articles below explain how supporting mental health care, countering negative bias, and ensuring financial stability are key to supporting both nonprofit workers and the communities they serve.
Why we’re all burned out and what to do about it. Burnout isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a well-studied psychological syndrome triggered by chronic job stress. Candid’s associate vice president of research, Cathleen Clerkin, Ph.D., breaks down what burnout really means—including its three key symptoms: overwhelming exhaustion, workplace cynicism, and a sense of reduced accomplishment. She also explores why it’s so common in today’s nonprofit sector and how to address it.
The social sector has a negativity bias. Here’s what you can do about it. Here Clerkin discusses how our default “negativity bias”—the tendency to focus on and remember negative experiences—can lead nonprofit workers to feel disheartened about the issues they’re striving to address. Clerkin emphasizes that intentionally countering this negativity bias can benefit both personal mental health and the sector as a whole.
Normalizing seeking support for mental health takes collective action. Asia Hadley, a director of partnerships at Candid, highlights the prevalence of mental health issues, the need to de-stigmatize seeking care, and resources from nonprofits like Mental Health America and the National Alliance on Mental Illness. And how we care for ourselves privately directly influences how we show up publicly.
Setting work-life boundaries when working from home. Setting clear boundaries is critical to maintaining a healthy work-life balance and preventing burnout. Clerkin shares practical tips, such as planning out your work schedule and sharing it with colleagues.
Strengthening communities by supporting the nonprofit workforce. Nonprofit workers know how hard it is for many people to make ends meet, even when they work hard every day. But hardship doesn’t just exist among the communities they serve; it’s present within the nonprofit workforce as well. A report from Independent Sector and United for ALICE found that one in five nonprofit employees nationwide could not make ends meet.
Seeking solutions to challenges Black nonprofit leaders are facing
Black nonprofit leaders and fundraisers are facing unique challenges, from exhaustion and burnout due to workplace biases and lack of trust to declining leadership aspirations driven by difficult work conditions. At the same time, many are leaving traditional nonprofit roles for independent, project-based work.
Success and wellness tips for Black fundraisers. Black fundraisers face exhaustion from workplace challenges like race and gender biases, power imbalances, and political polarization. This article offers expert advice and wellness tips for success in supporting community needs while maintaining personal well-being.
Black women and gender-expansive nonprofit leaders: Combating the absence of trust. Black nonprofit leaders, particularly Black women and gender-expansive individuals, are experiencing high levels of exhaustion, chronic stress, and burnout due to a lack of trust. We explore the challenges, causes, and broader impact on the nonprofit sector.
Why is leadership aspiration down among BIPOC nonprofit staff? The Building Movement Project’s Race to Lead survey reveals that declines in leadership aspirations among BIPOC nonprofit staff are often driven by difficult work conditions and a desire to escape negative experiences. Many of those who do aspire to leadership roles do so to improve conditions for themselves and others.
Here come the Autonomists: Redefining nonprofit work. “Autonomists” are skilled professionals choosing independent, project-based work over traditional jobs. By embracing autonomy, they’re reshaping nonprofit work.
Achieving well-being and growth through personal connections
Maintaining perspective and strong connections is essential for nonprofit leaders navigating uncertainty and staff facing work stress. From self-care strategies to the value of in-person engagement, we share insights to help organizations stay resilient and connected.
Self-care tips for nonprofit leaders during a pandemic. We understand that during times of stress and uncertainty—especially when facing financial crises, job instability, and other challenges beyond our control—it’s important to step back and regain perspective. Here are some tips for staying calm, focused, and positive.
Five practices for professional growth within your organization. It can be tempting to jump ship when job frustrations arise, but there may be internal opportunities to land a new role. Candid’s senior director of talent development, Sarah Sprott, offers tips to nonprofit workers for cultivating internal professional growth.
As the nonprofit sector faces ongoing challenges, prioritizing mental health, work-life balance, and strong connections is essential. We hope these resources help nonprofit workers address burnout, financial strain, and leadership barriers and build resilience among nonprofit professionals driving meaningful impact in their communities.
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