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Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of meeting extraordinary leaders who have seen deep needs in their communities and are uniquely equipped to meet them because of their own personal experiences. They haven’t just noticed, they’ve stepped up and taken action.
Some have created charities that provide direct support to those in crisis, like food, shelter, medical care, or education. Others have built nonprofits that take a different approach, such as advocacy groups that fight for systemic change, foundations that fund important work, or membership organizations that equip and connect leaders in their fields. No matter the structure, each of these leaders is shaping a better future for the people they serve, and proof that real change begins with people who see a need and refuse to look away.
I have deep respect for these leaders. They are true entrepreneurs, jumping in with courage, figuring things out as they go, and doing the hard work to build something that lasts. They’ve pushed through the tough startup phase, recruited a board, secured funding, hired a team, and created programs that are making a real difference. It hasn’t been easy, but they’ve stayed the course.
It’s easy to criticize them. Especially when you get a fundraising request without seeing the impact of your last gift. Or when you attend their event, learn more about what they do, but don’t hear them talk about why–the problem they are solving. Maybe their newsletter looks outdated and their website feels clunky. It’s easy to feel frustrated when they’re passionate and clear, but their execution isn’t polished.
Here's why: Because most of these leaders didn’t start out as professional fundraisers, and if they did, I can guarantee they weren’t trained first. They also didn’t start out as marketers or event planners. They started with a deep conviction: a calling to solve a problem, meet a need, or stand in the gap for those who’ve been overlooked. They are often wearing a dozen hats, learning as they go, and doing their best to keep the mission moving forward.
When they invest in staff, fundraising, or training–the very things that grow their impact–they are often criticized. Somewhere along the way, we bought into the idea that every dollar should go directly to those in need, instead of building the infrastructure that actually makes long-term change possible. (If you've ever questioned this, watch the documentary Uncharitable. It will shift your perspective in a powerful way.)
If you’ve noticed a nonprofit leader in your community and caught yourself judging something they’re not doing the way you would, pause for a moment. Instead of critiquing, ask if they could use a hand. Maybe your expertise could fill a gap, or you have a resource they need. And if nothing else, take a moment to thank them for showing up, for doing the work, and for stepping into the arena when it would have been easier to look the other way.
After all, as Theodore Roosevelt said, “It’s not the critic who counts…The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood.”
