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Signs of a Thriving Nonprofit Culture (Whether or Not You Have Staff) |
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First things first: Happy New Year!!! 🎉🎉🎉
I wanted to kick off 2026 talking about something super important but often invisible: Organization culture.
I get it. “Nonprofit culture” can sound like a fluffy buzzword, especially when you’re busy trying to serve people and keep things running.
But culture isn’t abstract. It shows up in practical ways that affect team retention, fundraising, all that good stuff. And the environment you’re creating starts earlier than many leaders realize. Even if your nonprofit is run by volunteers, a board, or just you – culture is already shaping how people are treated, how decisions are made, and what gets prioritized.
In this week’s Changemaker Mondays ☀️ ☕ 🌍, I’m breaking down what a thriving nonprofit culture actually looks like, why it matters so much in a burnout-prone sector, and a few practical ways to start building it now, no matter your organization’s size.
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Changemaker Mondays is brought to you by:
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What a thriving nonprofit culture actually looks like
A thriving nonprofit culture isn’t about perks, retreats, or having everything figured out. It’s about how people experience the work daily, even when things feel busy or uncertain.
You’ll often see it show up in simple, practical ways:
- People know what matters most. Priorities are clear enough that decisions don’t feel chaotic, even when capacity is limited.
- Communication feels open and human. Questions are welcomed, feedback flows both ways, and people don’t feel punished for speaking up.
- Boundaries are respected. There’s an understanding that rest, flexibility, and sustainability matter, not just output.
- People feel trusted. Whether volunteers, board members, or staff, individuals have ownership over their roles rather than constant second-guessing.
- The mission shows up in daily decisions. Values aren’t just words on your website – they guide how meetings run, how conflict is handled, and how people treat one another.
A thriving culture doesn’t mean everything is easy or perfect. It means people feel supported, aligned, and able to do their best work without burning out in the process.
Why culture matters, BIG time
A thriving culture supports people during busy seasons, periods of change, and moments of uncertainty. It shapes how teams communicate, how leaders lead, and how supporters experience your organization.
When people feel connected to the mission and to each other, teams collaborate more easily. Volunteers and board members stay engaged because expectations feel clear and supportive. Leaders can focus on guiding the work forward instead of constantly managing tension or confusion.
Culture is not something extra to build once everything else is done. It is what allows your mission, people, and systems to grow together in a sustainable way.
👉 Start here: How to build and sustain a thriving culture
You know I'm not going to leave you hanging without some practical how-to's!
You don't need a big team, a big budget, or formal HR policies to start shaping a thriving nonprofit culture. A few places to start:
- Name your values out loud. Talk to your team and community about what matters to you as an organization, not just what you do. Values become culture when they show up in decisions, not just documents.
- Model good boundaries. Take time off when you need it, and respect others’ time too. People notice what leaders normalize.
- Create space for reflection. Build in moments to pause, check in, and talk about what’s working and what’s not. This can be as simple as a few minutes at the end of a meeting.
- Recognize effort, not just outcomes. Celebrate progress, learning, and care for the mission, not only big wins or metrics.
Small, consistent actions like these shape how people feel working with you. Over time, they add up to a culture that supports sustainability instead of burnout.
Try it this week 🚀
Take a few quiet minutes to reflect on your nonprofit’s culture as it is today. What feels energizing? What feels heavy? What feels aligned with your mission? Then decide how you want to support a thriving, more sustainable culture this year.
Hit Reply
What’s one word you’d use to describe your nonprofit’s culture right now? Hit reply and share it with me. I read every response, and I love hearing what’s coming up for you as you step into this next season.
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- Rolling Deadline: The Worthington Companies Foundation supports community causes in the areas where they work in focus areas of Health, Human Services, Youth & Education and Civic Causes.
- Rolling Deadline: Dory Foundation provides grants ranging from $10,000 to $250,000 to support promising early- to mid-stage nonprofits. Themes vary, but their vision anticipates a future where AI significantly reshapes traditional work.
- Rolling Deadline: The Pollination Project runs a Daily Grant program, making microgrants of up to $500 each each day to help kickstart a volunteer’s or grassroots organization’s work. All qualified applicants in any funding area are considered within the guidelines of this program.
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Join me in Sacramento in March 2026! I'll be hanging out with fellow changemakers at the 2026 National Summit on Volunteer Engagement, March 18–20, at the Sacramento Marriott Rancho Cordova. Hundreds of volunteer engagement professionals from across the country are coming together for three days of connection, learning, and inspiration. The Summit brings together practitioners, thought leaders, and partners who are shaping the future of volunteerism. Register by the early bird deadline (January 15) to access discounted flights, housing, and Early Bird pricing.
Keep an eye out for future workshops and events open to the public! In the mean time, need an event speaker or workshop trainer? Learn more about my workshops and other services.
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Enjoy this week's newsletter? You might find this video helpful, too.
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3 more ways I can help you
- I have lots of free content for you! Check out my library of 400+ educational videos on nonprofits, social entrepreneurship, fundraising, and more on my YouTube channel. If you like what I'm trying to do, help me reach more people like you by subscribing to the channel and sharing it with a changemaker friend! 😁
- Need extra support to build or grow a nonprofit or social enterprise? Check out my Changemaker Accelerator membership or my Zero to $100,000 Fundraising Starter Toolkit.
- Need a speaker or training workshop for your social impact event? I'm currently booking 2026 speaking engagements -- check out my speaking and workshop opportunities to learn how I can help you make your event inspiring and actionable!
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Hey, Changemaker!
I'm Amber, writer of the Changemaker Mondays newsletter! I'm a nonprofit founder, speaker, and social entrepreneur on a mission to equip you with the tools you need to create positive change where ever you live -- whether you're starting a nonprofit or socially-conscious business, looking for a social impact job, or leading a volunteer project in your city. Don't hesitate to connect (socials below), or reply to this email if you ever have any feedback on how we can make Changemaker Mondays the best newsletter for supporting changemakers in the world!
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