You are awesome, and other reminders as you get back to work this week and feel like crap

Hi everyone, I normally post on Tuesdays, but I know many people are getting back to work today, so I thought I would send some words of encouragement. And those words are: “OMG everything is crappy and I feel like crap and I don't want to write this

The second worst Christmas song ever written, and new forms of poverty porn and saviorism

Hi everyone, this will be the last post for this year. I’ll be back on January 6th. My older son, Viet, loves holiday music, and often asks for it to be played when I drive the kids to various places. The kids would ask me various questions about the

Taking a break this week

Hi everyone, I was writing a blog post, and then just as I was about to publish it, I realized I had already written on the topic! And you know what, the post written 3 years ago was funnier! It was about Plaque and Sack, when you loudly and publicly

“Take it easy in this capitalist hellscape”: Lessons I learned from Alice Wong

“Take it easy in this capitalist hellscape.” That’s the last line that Alice sent me. We had been exchanging emails, as I had quoted her in my new book and wanted to make sure she was OK with it. I asked how she was doing. “I'm hanging

A moratorium on the Attitude of Gratitude

Hi everyone, there is an economic blackout from 11/28 to 12/5 in protest of fascism and corporate greed, so please avoid spending money on those days, as well as avoid streaming services, social media, and AI stuff as much as you can. If you need to buy something,

Funders, stop viewing your tedious and paternalistic requirements as nonprofit "accountability"

Last week, I was in Toronto facilitating a conversation on equitable grantmaking with a group of brilliant colleagues, including several funders and impact investment leaders. During the rise of authoritarianism, it is vital for funders to understand what’s at stake and to act accordingly. I reminded the workshop attendees

Good news roundup: Things to make you feel hopeful this week

Hi everyone, I am on a plane heading to New York to speak at the Nonprofit New York conference, and Wi-Fi is very spotty, so apologies for the poor grammar and coherence. If you’re free next week, join me and podcast co-hosts Monique Curry-Mims and Valerie Johnson for a

Philanthropic advisors, embrace your role as agents of justice

Hi everyone, you must be as exhausted as I am by the relentless awfulness that’s going on everywhere in the world. But please pay attention to Sudan, where there is a genocide taking place, with thousands recently massacred, including children, and millions displaced and starving. And like with all

GoFundMe and the much scarier stuff behind many of the technologies we use daily

Hi everyone, this week is Halloween, which is probably my favorite holiday, mainly because I like the easy access to junk food everywhere I go. If you’re on Instagram, check out my “Scary Nonprofit Stories,” including the one about the meeting that begun with a never-ending round of introductions.

Scary Nonprofit Stories to Tell in the Dark 2025

Hi everyone, Halloween is coming up next week, which means it's time for the annual scary stories. These are terrifying tales that are guaranteed to send chills up your spine. Gather your coworkers and read these stories together, because I don't recommend you read them alone.

Funders, stop requiring line-item budget reports and variance explanations

Hi everyone. Halloween is coming up, which means it’s time for scary stories. Grab a stuffie and wrap yourself in a blanket as I tell a terrifying tale that will leave you with chills down your spine. This one is extra scary because it’s true; I didn’t

Let's reclaim our vision for the amazing society we can build from the ashes

Hi everyone, I’ve been stress-eating chocolate, so I’m not sure how coherent this post will be. Besides the general state of the world, I also have my book launching next week with an in-person event in Seattle, the logistics have been bringing up gala-related trauma from my previous