The Nonprofit Leadership Polycrisis
This episode was recorded before the November 4, 2025 elections.
The nonprofit sector is facing a “polycrisis”. In this candid conversation, we unpack how simultaneous shocks (policy shifts, funder chill, shrinking donor pools) are reshaping civil society and what small nonprofits can do to adapt. We talk about building durable strategies instead of episodic crisis responses, and how to make decisions that protect mission over ego. Just as importantly, we get real about leadership wellbeing: navigating fear, staying in productive tension, and knowing when to step back. You’ll hear concrete ways to hold both urgency and care without burning yourself out or your team.
On this week’s episode of The Small Nonprofit Podcast, host Maria Rio sits down with consultant and movement leader Rachel D'Souza, founder and principal of Gladiator Consulting and a member of the Community-Centric Fundraising Global Council. Together, they explore how nonprofit leaders can stay grounded, collaborative, and courageous in uncertain times, and what this moment asks of all of us.
Nonprofit Leadership - The Highlights:
Polycrisis = this is a structural reset, not a blip. Multiple shocks are hitting at once, from government pullbacks to donor-consolidation trends; this reset requires long-term strategy, not perpetual crisis appeals.
Leadership in ambiguity: Discomfort isn’t the same as harm; staying in relationship through tension is a core leadership skill right now.
Mission over ego: When resources shift, leaders may need to right-size, share services, merge, or even sunset, to preserve gains made.
Wellbeing as capacity: The sector isn’t well; leaders need practices that keep them resourced enough to make hard, long-horizon decisions.
Values alignment matters: If we claim justice externally, our internal policies and culture must reflect it.
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Nonprofit Leadership – 5 Actionable Tips:
Run an ecosystem analysis (60–90 days): Map partners, overlaps, and gaps; identify where collaboration, shared services, or mergers strengthen community outcomes.
Create a “durability plan,” not just a crisis plan: Define 12–24 month funding scenarios, decision triggers (e.g., reserves level), and pre-agreed pivots (program pause, shared HR/finance).
Normalize productive tension: Add a “discomfort check” to meetings: name what feels hard, distinguish discomfort from harm, and agree on the next experiment.
Protect leadership capacity: Set non-negotiables (quiet hours, coverage plans, reflective time). Model boundaries so the team believes you mean it.
Align inside practices: Audit internal policies (pay equity, leave, flexibility) to match your external equity commitments. Then share that story with donors.
Resources:
Guest: Rachel D'Souza— Founder & Principal, Gladiator Consulting. Website: gladiatorrds.com. Instagram: @ConsultingGladiator. LinkedIn: Gladiator Consulting / Rachel D'Souza
Movement mentioned: Community-Centric Fundraising
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