Confession time. I have been waiting for Vu Le to write a book for years!
If you follow his blog, Nonprofit AF, you already know what I mean. He is funny, irreverent, searingly honest, and one of the most original thinkers in our sector.
He also doesn’t like the name of my podcast…We’re working through it.
Vu’s new book is called Reimagining Nonprofits and Philanthropy: Unlocking the Full Potential of a Vital and Complex Sector. A very grown-up title for a man who wanted to call it The Platypus Principle or, alternatively, Burn It All Down. Needless to say, his publisher has notes.
But here’s the thing, underneath that respectful cover is one of the most honest, challenging, and ultimately hopeful books written about our sector in a long time.
Vu argues that nonprofits are like air.
We are vital. We allow communities to breathe.
And like air, we are invisible – until we’re gone.
The problem isn’t that we don’t matter. The problem is that we’ve internalized a set of philosophies, structures, and fears that are quietly strangling our own potential.
He calls them the nine horsemen of nonprofit and philanthropic ineffectiveness.
Suppressed imagination. White moderation. Scarcity and martyrdom. Fear. Risk aversion. And more…
In this conversation, we dig into what those horsemen actually look like on the ground – in board rooms, in budget meetings, in the way we recruit leaders and the way we talk to donors.
We talk about boards that we built to manage risk instead of ignite possibility. We talk about the difference between doing things right and doing the right thing. And we talk about what it would actually mean to free up our imagination and lead like we believe our vision statements.
I won’t lie. Some of this conversation made me squirm a little…
Some of it made me cheer! And all of it made me think.
At the end, Vu reminds us why any of this matters. With a story about an eight-year-old boy who arrived in Philadelphia from Vietnam with nothing, and the nonprofits and neighbors who showed up. That boy grew up to spend his career trying to pay it forward.
That’s the sector we’re fighting for.
Messy? Yes. But also – as Vu would say – awesome.
TUNE IN TO LEARN:
- The nine horsemen of nonprofit ineffectiveness: A frank look at the philosophies and patterns that keep even well-intentioned organizations from achieving their full potential.
- The personal story behind the mission: How Vu’s arrival in the United States as an eight-year-old – and the nonprofits that showed up for his family – shaped a career built on paying it forward.
KEY QUOTES:
- “[T]he biggest threat to justice are not people burning crosses and wearing hoods and being overtly racist. It’s the people who are very nice, who believe in your vision of a just and equitable world, but they are more focused on being civil and nice and not causing tension and doing things the right way and following rules and order and stuff like that.” – Vu Le
- “We definitely have a bunch of shit we need to work on for sure….And we are messy. Nonprofits are very messy. But we’re also awesome.” – Vu Le
ABOUT GUEST:
Vu Le writes the blog nonprofitAF.com, which details the humor and frustration of nonprofit work. He is a vegan, Pisces, seitan-worshipper, and defender of the Oxford Comma. Vu has over two decades of experience in the sector, including 13 years as an executive director across two nonprofits. He is one of the co-founders of the Community-Centric Fundraising movement. Vu has written a new book called “Reimagining Nonprofits and Philanthropy: Unlocking the Full Potential of a Vital and Complex Sector,” which his 9-year-old said, “Is not as boring as I thought it would be.” In his free time, Vu hangs out with his kids, watches TV shows and movies, and eats way too much dark chocolate. He has a BA in psychology and a Master of Social Work, which disappoints all his relatives.
RESOURCES:
- Vu Le LinkedIn
- Reimagining Nonprofits and Philanthropy: Unlocking the Full Potential of a Vital and Complex Sector by Vu Le
- NonprofitAF.com
- Nonprofit Leadership Lab
- Joan Garry’s Guide to Nonprofit Leadership – 2nd Edition by Joan Garry
- FREE WORKSHOP: Let’s Build the Nonprofit Board of Your Dreams!
- FREE WORKSHOP: The 5 Practices of Outstanding Nonprofit Leaders
- Music by Jukebox the Ghost
Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Sponsorship
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DRG Talent Consulting Experts partners with nonprofits to help them build thriving teams and cultures. With a focus on integrity, collaboration, and continuous learning, DRG supports organizations in finding and developing the right leaders. Their work is grounded in compassion, accountability, and a commitment to helping clients make the world a better place. Check out their resource(s) below.
- Managing Internal Candidates
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