Bi-Weekly Wellbeing Brief: 11/24/2025
November 24 Overview:
As the holiday season emerges, burnout continues to percolate as a systemic challenge in the nonprofit sector. However, funders, local governments, and other networks are increasingly responding with strategic investments in people and structural support to curb burnout. These developments are shifting the narrative towards wellbeing being foundational to sustaining impact.
🪫 The B-word: What’s happening with Burnout?
The National Council of Nonprofits released a new report revealing that many nonprofit staff are overworked and on the brink: stress and burnout are cited as major causes of workforce shortages. According to their Thrive program microgrant analysis, nonprofit leaders worry that without investments in employee wellness, their missions may be compromised.
In more macro trends, nonprofit fundraising itself is adding pressure. A NonProfit PRO article points to forces shaping the 2026 outlook, such as “debriefs and recovery cycles after big pushes” and “permission for rest" will be critical for all types of nonprofit roles, and especially fundraisers.
On another front, frontline organizations in Western North Carolina are working to safeguard staff morale amidst funding instability, turnover, and resource gaps. This article from Mountain Xpress includes several stories from nonprofit employees in the area, like Haywood Christian Ministry Inc who are facing, “a relentless test of endurance.”
💭 Innovations & New Thinking
Flexible microgrants for wellbeing are becoming more common. The Thrive program from National Council of Nonprofits provides small, flexible funds so nonprofits can co-create wellness activities tailored to their staff. Their evaluation found that these investments boosted morale, increased productivity, and contributed to a more enduring culture of wellbeing.
Related to the frontline organizers in Western North Carolina, the WNC Bridge Foundation provided grants for local nonprofit staffers so they could take a meaningful and restorative rest break.
News from the Seattle area revealed innovative funding from their local government: King County Executive Shannon Braddock recently announced a $25 million investment to support nonprofit human services providers. The article speaks to how critical the fabric of social impact workers are to their economy and ecosystem.
📍 Local to San Diego
There is not much to report publicly on San Diego’s end at this time. The San Diego Solidarity Network–a regional coalition of nonprofit and mutual aid organizations, cultural workers, movement builders, policy advocates, and community leaders–continue to create movement around their Emergency Declaration for more resources to restore communities after the hostile federal actions throughout 2025.
✅ Quick Takeaways
Small, flexible wellness investments have outsized impact. Microgrants show that mega-dollars aren’t needed to support meaningful care initiatives that are sorely needed.
Fundraising practices must evolve. Recovery cycles, shared responsibility, and rest may be the backbone of sustainable fundraising for 2026.
Wellbeing is a critical lever for mission sustainability. It undergirds long-term organizational health.
Do Good Leadership Collective is a San Diego-based consultancy that helps social impact professionals Do Good and Be Well.
