As we stand here at the crossroads of the year, I know those in mission driven organizations are racing towards the finish line of another year and facing challenges that seem insurmountable. While trying to burn the candle to the very bottom, those of you who are dedicated to making a positive impact are looking at closing the year feeling completely depleted.

As the pressure has intensified in the philanthropic landscape, you have been challenged to rise to the occasion on so many levels. Collaboration. Measurement. New sources of funding. Merging priorities. Slimming staff resources. The new normal is here and you are facing it down every day.

In this new world, what we once took for granted in the nonprofit sector is now under scrutiny on every level. Even the most established organizations are making drastic moves, and across the sector there are real fears of doors closing.

As the year-end approaches, the reality sets in — either you’re closing your books for revenue goals or you still have six months of fiscal challenges ahead. The need for a reset is palpable.

And amidst this chaos, you are not just professionals; you are members of diverse communities. You are tuned into global dynamics, aware of world events, and connected to a myriad of communities — Jewish, Muslim, LGBTQ, BIPOC, women and more. Each community with its own battles to fight, among the battles you are fighting for the organizations and missions you serve.

Not to mention, the looming uncertainty of an upcoming election year adds an extra layer of trepidation for what the future holds for you as individuals, for the sector, and for our world.

As we conclude the year, a crucial question arises: How do we find hope in the face of such challenges? As a sector, we are used to the concept of providing hope to others, but what about cultivating hope for ourselves?

Taking a moment to reset becomes vital. Whether it’s a few minutes of meditation, practicing grounding techniques, or finding small, centering practices, recognizing the true importance of self-care and practicing it is the only way to sustain going forward. The year-end break often brings a fleeting sense of refreshment, but it’s crucial to maintain that energy throughout the challenges that lie ahead. Establishing these small practices now and making them regular routines you can practice throughout the year will help you avoid burnout and allow you to keep making progress on your goals.

And what about hope? In a profession dedicated to providing hope to others, it’s essential to find personal sources of inspiration. It could be a new colleague bringing fresh perspectives, a small act of kindness from a stranger, or the realization that there are still more good people than those working against positive change.

I, like many others in this sector, find hope in the people around me who share a common goal of making the world a better place. Positive changes, like Ohio striking down abortion mandates and Colorado taking a stand, serve as beacons of hope. Despite the noise, the numbers are in favor of positive change. Communities coming together, individuals putting aside differences for a common goal — these are the building blocks of hope. I think back to 2020 when our communities were placed on mandated shelter in home orders. Everything was so new and no one could figure out whether to be scared or blow off the advice being given from every direction. Those days were lonely. It was hard to have hope. A family friend of ours decided to turn their hope into action by creating a large board with a simple message to the community “There is hope.” It was placed at the end of their driveway with markers and instructions to passersby- write a message of hope for your neighbors to see. This board ended up moving from neighborhood to neighborhood, where regardless of political or religious beliefs, our community could gather together around a single message. We could share with one another the small ways we were experiencing hope in a dark time.

In the face of challenges, we in the nonprofit community can draw strength from our ability to foster hope in others. We can use this ability to foster hope within ourselves as well.

So, friends, allow yourselves to reach the end of this year and collapse. Allow yourselves to breathe, to celebrate, to cry, to laugh, to sleep. And when you reemerge in the new year, embrace this lens of hope, finding inspiration in the small victories, collective efforts, and the unwavering belief that there are still more good people than there are challenges. The hope sign shines brightly, guiding us through the uncertainties towards a future where positive change prevails.