“In the nonprofit sector, where many are significantly underpaid, overworked, and taking on huge issues that humanity is facing – we need to drastically shift from a charity mindset to one of systemic transformation. Sitting on a panel with these incredible women was a powerful testament to the commitment of this sector to transform itself for the better. Being in a room with philanthropic leaders willing to disrupt the status quo and interrogate factors leading to burnout and ways to invest differently was refreshing. This is just the beginning. More to come.” – From Shamyle Dobbs, CEO of Michigan Community Resources
At the Council of Michigan Foundations (CMF) annual conference in Traverse City, the McGregor Fund hosted a session entitled “Advancing Equity in Philanthropy by Prioritizing Nonprofit Wellness, Thriving, and Rest.”
Our discussion partners included Allandra Bulger, Executive Director of Co.act Detroit and Shamyle Dobbs, CEO of Michigan Community Resources. During the session, we also shared a video featuring Shamyle; Maha Freij, President & CEO of ACCESS; and Camille Proctor, Founder & Executive Director of The Color of Autism Foundation. All of these remarkable leaders are members of the 2023 and 2024 Miller Fellows cohorts and the Fund is most grateful for their gifts of time and wisdom.
Kelley Kuhn, the Michigan Nonprofit Association’s President & CEO, also contributed to the panel, and Sarida Scott, Vice President, Program at the Skillman Foundation, served as moderator for the discussion.
From McGregor Fund President Kate Levin Markel: “We were so honored by the presence of our clear-eyed, courageous partners, who came to northern Michigan to make plain the imperative of prioritizing well-being among nonprofit leaders and teams. We in philanthropy need to reconsider and upend the norms underlying our partner relationships, which contribute to burnout and turnover. No better than hearing it from the experts.”
Our Miller Fellows have asked us to amplify, as an urgent matter of racial equity and justice, our advocacy for rest for nonprofit leaders. To that end, during the session, we shared the McGregor Fund’s 2022-23 Biennial Report with our peers. The report — “REST IS JUSTICE” — incorporates insights and experiences from the full 2023 Miller Fellows cohort. It is our initial response to the Fellows’ request, with much more to come.
In the coming weeks, we will continue the conversation we intend this call to action to spark. We look forward to hearing from our partners and discussing how we can advance this work for justice, together.
