Jennifer Rosario’s organization recently received 501(c)(3) status. She shared her win in my nonprofit leadership community Facebook group.
In the midst of legitimate fears about nonprofits losing their nonprofit status for no good reason, her success is thrilling for me. I speak for Glennda Testone, too.
And it reminds us that there is hope. There are still good things happening out there.
We have to keep going.
It might seem like a small win. But it has a big impact. Not just for Jennifer, but for nonprofit leaders who are eager to regain (and keep) hope high.
In this episode, Glennda and I share what we are doing to refuel our leadership right now. And we share the stories of others, especially nonprofit leaders, who we admire as beacons of hope.
We all need to refuel our leadership from time to time. That is especially true in tough times.
Here are a few ways that we and others refuel. I hope that you will find inspiration to refuel your resolve and commitment (and hope!) to stay in the all-important work that you do.
Because the work you do truly matters. You are not alone.
TUNE IN TO LEARN:
- SMALL WINS MATTER MORE THAN EVER. Jennifer Rosario’s celebration of receiving 501(c)(3) status was a reminder that in a world full of discouraging headlines and policy threats, victories—no matter how small—can reignite purpose and inspire hope across the sector. These moments are fuel for nonprofit leaders navigating daily uncertainty.
- HOPE IS A STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP TOOL. Maintaining hope is essential fuel for showing up, pushing forward, and modeling resilience. Nonprofit leaders must actively seek and hold onto stories and practices that replenish their emotional reserves. As nonprofit leaders, it is critical that we find ways to refuel our leadership.
ABOUT GUEST:
Glennda Testone is a nonprofit leadership expert who spent 14 years as the Executive Director of New York City’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center. Over the course of her tenure at The Center, she tripled the organization’s budget, strengthened its programs, and completed a $9M capital building renovation to transform the LGBTQ community’s home on West 13 Street. Additionally, she partnered with Google to launch the virtual reality experience of Stonewall Forever, celebrating the 50th anniversary of Stonewall, and helped lead a racial equity transformation of the organization.
Testone previously served as Vice President at The Women’s Media Center and Senior Director of Media Programs for the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD).
RESOURCES:
- Glennda Testone LinkedIn
- Glennda Testone Instagram
- Glennda Testone Facebook
- 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
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