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One would hope that the social impact and nonprofit sectors are immune to this care dilemma. We’re a sector full of compassionate and empathetic people who care deeply, yes? Yes, and… The care that social impact workers have for their communities is not enough to sustain the work. Metaphorically speaking, our social impact sector is at risk of going up in flames. However, we have the gift of care inherent to our work, so now is the time for our sector to lead the care renaissance. It is possible, and it’s going to take an entirely different approach to our work: 1) We have to see Care as a Public Good, and not something reserved for those who can afford it. Care is a human right. Now is the time to think about how we can build functional, just, and sustainable systems. This is especially true for our organizations, as care is what allows people to participate, to contribute, to stay, and to lead. Without it, everything else starts to unravel. 2) We must question what we mean by trust-based philanthropy. The work at the Trust-Based Philanthropy Project is incredible, and I’ve had the great pleasure of working with funders who model these principles well. However, I frequently think about Shawnda Chapman’s invitation for us to move from trust-based philanthropy and towards care-based philanthropy. Based on the 3 C’s of Trust, care should be a prerequisite for trust. Now is the time to ask ourselves as leaders: Do we really care, or are we performing care? What can I do to practice more genuine care? How can we start expressing care through our budgets, decision-making, and policies? 3) Finally, we have to learn how to do all of this together. This is not just the responsibility of community organizers. This is not just the responsibility of nonprofit leaders. This is not just the responsibility of philanthropic institutions. Community care work take all of us, which is why we’re excited to announce the next pick for our Slow Read Book Club:
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