Community Can Be the Cure for Burnout
Burnout in the nonprofit sector is no longer a hidden crisis—it’s an all-too-common reality. From overloaded to-do lists to emotional exhaustion, nonprofit professionals are stretched thin, expected to do more and more with less and less, and often praised for their self-sacrifice rather than their sustainability. The result? Burnout. High turnover. Mission fatigue. And yet, many of us keep showing up—because we care deeply.
But what if the answer to burnout isn’t just better time management or taking a vacation (though those help too)? What if part of the antidote is something far more powerful and enduring—community?
Burnout Is Inevitable in Isolation
When you're isolated, every challenge feels heavier. You start to wonder if you're the only one struggling, the only one dropping balls, the only one who’s tired of being told to “do more with less.” That isolation fuels the inner critic and turns tough days into breaking points.
In contrast, community reminds us: You're not the only one. And you're not in this alone.
What Community Can Do
Burnout can’t be solved by a bubble bath. It’s a structural issue—and community is one of the structures that can support real change.
Here’s how building and being part of a nonprofit community helps fight burnout:
Shared understanding. Talking to people who get it can be a game-changer. Venting without judgment. Swapping stories. Laughing about the ridiculous parts. It lightens the load.
Resource sharing. When you connect with others, you find out you're not the only one reinventing the wheel or holding things together with duct tape. Maybe someone already created that template or solved that tech headache. Maybe someone knows a great vendor. It saves time and energy—and helps everyone thrive.
Permission to set boundaries. When you’re surrounded by people who are modeling healthy work habits and boundaries, it becomes easier to set your own. When people celebrate your self-care, you can become a stronger advocate for taking care of yourself first.
Emotional resilience. The road can be long, and the wins sometimes feel small. A community helps you celebrate those wins, reminds you of your impact, and holds hope for you when you can’t hold it for yourself.
Ways to Build Community in Nonprofit Work
Community doesn’t have to be complicated. It just has to be intentional. Here are a few ways to start:
Create space for connection in your own organization—team lunches, coworking sessions, or just a weekly “no agenda” Zoom to chat and check in.
Join peer groups or mastermind circles with other nonprofit professionals—especially folks outside your own org who can offer perspective and solidarity. Looking for a peer group that’s focus on building sustainable fundraising—take a look at Sustain & Thrive!
Follow and engage with nonprofit communities online, whether on LinkedIn, Instagram, or in dedicated groups and forums. One of my favorites is Nonprofit Happy Hour on Facebook.
Start your own community if you can’t find one. It doesn’t have to be huge. A small group of passionate, burned-out-but-trying folks is enough to start.
You Weren’t Meant to Carry This Alone
At the end of the day, the work we do in nonprofits is human work. It’s about connection, care, and courage. We deserve those things within our organizations and networks, too—not just from them.
If you're feeling burned out, don’t white-knuckle your way through it. Reach out. Ask for help. Offer help. Build a circle of people who understand—and let that circle be a source of strength.
Because you are not alone. And when we come together, we don’t just survive nonprofit life—we change it.
