Could it be your lack of community?

Hey Nonprofit Leader, What’s Keeping You Awake at Night?

Let’s take a moment to talk about something no one warns you about when you become an Executive Director: isolation.

Sure, you expected to write grants, clean the bathroom, shake the money tree, and—on occasion—build dressing rooms out of PVC pipe. (Just me?) But what no one told you is how lonely leadership can feel. You're constantly giving to your staff, your board, your clients, your donors... but who's pouring into you?

When I first launched Desert Best Friend’s Closet, we had a whopping $3,500 budget. Joining the local Chamber of Commerce was a pipe dream—until we received our first $1,000 donation. That membership opened doors. Networking, marketing, and, most importantly, connections with real people doing real things in our community.

That one action had a ripple effect. Someone introduced me to a similar organization in Orange County. A single phone call later, I discovered the Alliance of Career Development Nonprofits (ACDN). And just like that, I found “my people.”

By diving into every ACDN member’s website (yes, I was that nerd), I learned that our clients—mostly low-income job seekers—were facing the same challenges across the country. Especially when it came to something as basic (and as vital) as plus-sized clothing. Other agencies bought it. We didn’t. Why? I thought we couldn't afford to. Turns out we couldn’t afford not to.

Then came the national ACDN conference. I packed my bags, traveled across the country, and discovered a magical session called “Brag & Steal.” It’s exactly what it sounds like—leaders proudly sharing their best ideas, and others shamelessly taking them home. (Ethically, of course.)

That conference changed everything. I came back to DBFC with fresh ideas, scalable systems, and new friends. One member’s boutique inspired me to move our operations to a more visible location. That move? It enabled us to open a full-time thrift boutique, hire paid staff, and break free from our reliance on grant funding. It was the beginning of our next chapter.

I also met Jeannie, my ACDN mentor. I gave her a proud tour of our new space, including our DIY PVC pipe dressing rooms. She smiled politely—then gave me the tough love I needed. “You say you’re not a fundraiser, but if you don’t start acting like one, you’ll never grow your organization.”

Oof. Reality check received.

My next move? I joined our local chapter of Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP).

All this to say—community matters. You need people who understand your mission, share your burdens, and cheer your victories. Because working in isolation? That’s a fast track to burnout (and possibly bad decisions made at 2 a.m. with nothing but caffeine and despair).

Community is Good for the Soul—and Your Sanity

• Reduces isolation. You are not alone. Seriously, you're not.

• Offers perspective. Other leaders may have already solved the challenge you’re battling today.

• Creates accountability. Because sometimes you need someone to say, “Hey, did you actually do that thing you said you would?”

• Inspires creativity. Borrow. Adapt. Innovate. Repeat.

So if you're lying awake at night, wondering how to lead better, raise more, or just survive the week—know this: there’s a whole community out there waiting for you.

Call to Action:

• Join your local Chamber and AFP Chapter.

• Look into a national alliance.

• Heck—call me. I’ll bring the coffee and a listening ear. We’ll figure it out together. Because nonprofit leadership is hard, but it shouldn’t be lonely.

Here’s to finding your community as well as a better night’s sleep!