Your nonprofit’s impact starts with a strong, motivated team. Taking care of your people ensures they can take care of your mission! Here are a few ideas how you could do this.
Iterate and Improve
After each campaign or event, take a step back to see what worked and what didn’t. Use these insights to make a list of actionable improvements for next time—maybe you need clearer messaging, a more accessible donation process, or a bigger emphasis on social media. Continuously improving ensures your nonprofit’s strategy remains strong and impactful.
Try this today: Organize a short “lessons learned” chat with your team about your last campaign. Pinpoint one process to refine immediately (like simplifying your donation page) for better future results.
Check In Regularly
Schedule dedicated time to see how your team members are doing. Even a quick one-on-one can help identify challenges early and show you value their well-being. This open line of communication builds trust and helps prevent minor stressors from turning into full-blown burnout.
Try this today: Block out 15 minutes in your calendar for a virtual or in-person check-in with a staff member or volunteer. Ask about both work progress and personal well-being.
Promote a Healthy Work-Life Balance
Encourage your team to unplug and recharge. Whether it’s flexible hours, remote options, or simply reminding them to use their vacation days, helping everyone find balance prevents burnout and keeps motivation high.
Try this today: Send a friendly reminder to your team to schedule time off or take a proper lunch break - and make sure you lead by example!
Show Genuine Appreciation
Recognize your staff’s contributions in a heartfelt way, beyond the occasional “thank you” email. Call out specific achievements during meetings or spotlight them in newsletters. Tangible tokens of gratitude like gift cards or handwritten notes can also boost morale in a big way.
Try this today: Write a short, personalized note to one team member highlighting something they’ve done recently that made a difference.
Encourage Growth & Development
Provide opportunities for your team to sharpen their skills or explore new interests. This could be through workshops, conferences, mentorship programs, or even cross-department collaborations. When people see a path for growth, they’re more likely to stay engaged and passionate.
Try this today: Share an upcoming webinar, training, or relevant article with someone who’s shown interest in that topic.
Foster a Supportive Culture
Make it clear that you’re all on the same side, working toward a shared mission. Emphasize teamwork and understanding, especially during busy seasons or stressful projects. This kind of positive environment can help everyone feel safe enough to share ideas, voice concerns, and support one another.
Try this today: Start your next team meeting with a quick round of “kudos,” where everyone can give a shout-out to someone who’s helped them recently.
Been inspired? Book a meeting with Better Giving to discover more about how today’s lessons can transform your nonprofit tomorrow!