People working for social change operate in chronically stressful, under-resourced environments. Constant pressure can take a toll on the mental and emotional well-being of nonprofit staff, who can identify so strongly with their organization’s mission that they ignore signs of burnout and neglect to tend their well-being.

Organizational well-being is a growing concern across the nonprofit sector. Numerous studies indicate that the incidence of burnout in the social sector is on the rise with little or no support currently available for addressing these concerns. The Center for Effective Philanthropy’s 2024 State of Nonprofits report indicates growing, widespread concern about burnout for nonprofit staff and the impact on nonprofits — and, by extension, foundations’ — ability to achieve their missions.

These findings are consonant with key learnings from a four-year, exploratory research study, supported by The Wellbeing Project and conducted by the Center for Healthy Minds and the Tavistock Institute of Human Relations, to learn about the state of organizational well-being within the social change sector. The researchers engaged with sector leaders interested in creating a new norm and expectation about organizational well-being informed by their participation in a model program intended to enhance organizational well-being in the sector.

Study participants were provided with a realistic, multi-perspective view of their organizational health and actionable insights aiming to enhance workplace well-being. Then, over the duration of the program, participants implemented a wide range of well-being approaches tailored to their specific needs and drawing on internal strengths and ways of working. The following five key learnings emerged across the eight organizations.

  1. Organizational Leadership Plays a Crucial Role in Well-Being
  2. Authentic, Co-Created Strategies Are More Likely to Succeed
  3. Well-Being Should Be Part of Daily Workflow
  4. Make Inner Well-Being Tangible — and Accessible
  5. Funding is Key to Sustained Well-Being

Read the full article about enhancing grantee well-being by Linda Bell Grdina at The Center for Effective Philanthropy.