What We Learn From the People We Serve

In this line of work, we’re often seen as the ones offering help—supporting nonprofits, writing grants, building strategy.

But the truth? We’re the ones being taught.

We learn from the teams who keep going when the funding runs dry.From the volunteers who show up, week after week, not because they have to—but because they can’t not. From small teams with big hearts doing quiet, extraordinary work.

There’s the foster coordinator who’s hit burnout more times than they can count, but still finds space for one more dog.The arts educator who apologizes for their tiny budget, then says, “We just want to give the kids one moment to feel seen.”

They remind us what resilience looks like. What generosity means when it costs something. What matters most when everything feels urgent.

This work is hard. But it’s sacred.And we carry the lessons of the people we serve with us—in every proposal, every project, every step.

To the changemakers, founders, and nonprofit warriors: Thank you for teaching us how to keep showing up.