The under-resourcing of leadership transitions is harming social justice nonprofits, particularly those led by individuals who come from the communities they serve.
All too often, we see funders adopt a “wait and see” approach when a grantee partner organization is considering, planning and undergoing a leadership transition. Yet this is precisely when greater funding for strategic visioning, equitable transition processes, and robust infrastructure is needed most. In particular, incoming leaders who come from the communities they serve and first-time executive directors acutely face this trust gap. We want to radically change this approach and work to catalyze a broader cultural and practice shift within philanthropy.
Our vision around better leadership funding practices is grantee-centered and prioritizes their needs before, during, and after their executive transitions.
Healthy leadership transitions are vital for thriving organizations and movements and must be abundantly resourced to be truly transformational. These are critical times for boards, executive leaders, staff, and constituencies to self-determine the leadership and institutional structures that are best suited for them.
These principles guide our work:
Leadership Transitions are Healthy and Necessary to Build Resilience
Leadership transitions are a normal and healthy part of the organizational lifecycle. When fully supported, they can be periods of growth, and help build clarity and long-term resilience.
Funders can:
Invest before, during, and after executive transitions, supporting both outgoing and incoming leaders, staff, and boards through change management and knowledge transfer.
Supporting Leadership as Acts of Courage
Stepping into nonprofit executive leadership is a bold act of courage, especially now. Funders must step up in public and private ways to back the people and missions they believe in.
Funders can:
Celebrate incoming and outgoing leaders, elevate their impact, and encourage peers to fund transitions, not fear them.
Embrace Experimentation and Innovation during Transitions
Community-embedded leaders are often asked to lead organizations in challenging times, and face the steepest barriers internally and externally.
Funders can:
Invest in the leadership and wellbeing of these executives by supporting coaching, peer learning, wellness practices, and stronger organizational infrastructure.
Collaborate to Strengthen Ecosystem
Transitions create space to reimagine what’s possible. But without strong infrastructure, organizations can’t fully explore new possibilities in governance, leadership, structure, and community accountability.
Funders can:
Resource experimentation, organizational structure, and leadership pipelines so nonprofits can better navigate change and uncertainty with greater stability.
Center & Support Leaders From Community
Funders have a shared responsibility for enabling healthy transitions. When funders align their support, it strengthens the entire social change ecosystem.
Funders can:
Collaborate with peers, coordinate funding and capacity support, and join funder learning spaces to improve their collective practice.