Success and wellness tips for Black fundraisers

For the last 20 years, I have held the title of “fundraiser”—to be more exact, a Black and Indigenous woman fundraiser. The stakes are high; securing funds means supporting the needs of my own community. Recently, the challenges of the work, like race and gender biases, imbalanced power structures, and increasing political polarization have left me exhausted.  

Like many Black women, I’ve been socialized to endure hardship, to shoulder burdens silently, and to continue regardless of personal cost–to even consider these burdens a badge of honor. This has often translated into unhealthy habits: sacrificing sleep, prioritizing work over my own health, and internalizing the pressure to succeed. But I’ve come to realize the need to prioritize my own well-being. 

Thriving, not just surviving, as Black fundraisers 

For Black fundraisers, the work is often more than just a job; it’s deeply personal. We advocate for our communities while operating within systems that may not always reflect our values or experiences. The demands are heavy, and the pressure to succeed is constant. But what if we reframed how we approach this work? What if, instead of striving to survive these systems, we aimed to thrive by centering our own well-being as an act of resistance? What if we recognized that sometimes walking away from harmful environments is the most powerful form of self-care? 

Refusing to sacrifice rest, reflection, and restoration 

In the nonprofit fundraising space, where personal identity intersects with professional responsibility, the need for rest, reflection, and restoration becomes vital—not only to preserve our energy but also to ensure career longevity. Wellness, for Black fundraisers, is a revolutionary act. We’ve sacrificed our health to meet the intense demands of this work—enduring long, unpredictable hours; absorbing the stress of high fundraising targets; and often giving up sleep, family time, and mental peace to support our communities. And the survival of nonprofits depends on prioritizing fundraisers’ wellness. 

Prioritizing our well-being is a choice 

Prioritizing our well-being isn’t just a personal responsibility—it’s a strategic choice that strengthens our capacity to continue this work. By integrating wellness practices into our professional lives, we not only sustain ourselves and our ability to lead effectively over the long term but also amplify the impact we make in our communities.  

Here are some wellness tips to help you thrive: 

Rest as resistance  

Your worth is not tied to how many hours you work. Remember that rest is a form of resistance. Schedule regular breaks, set clear boundaries around your work hours, and honor your need to recharge. Taking calls or meetings while you’re resting is non-negotiable. 

Build your peer support network 

Fundraisers often carry the weight of advocacy alone, facing high expectations, limited support, and a lack of understanding from colleagues. This isolation deepens as we navigate sensitive conversations around race, privilege, and inequality, frequently in spaces lacking diversity and empathy. It helps to build or join peer support networks with other Black fundraisers who understand your unique challenges and can offer valuable emotional and professional support. 

Advocate for unrestricted funding 

Black-led organizations often operate with limited resources. Unrestricted funding can offer the flexibility to focus on sustainability and growth, alleviating the pressure on fundraisers to reach funding goals. When advocating for unrestricted funding, use data and storytelling to highlight the long-term outcomes of community-driven initiatives. Don’t be afraid to push back against inequitable grantmaking practices—if you have the capacity. Advocating from a position of exhaustion and stress will only exacerbate those feelings, leading to burnout. 

Know when to walk away  

Staying in a toxic work environment or relationship with a funder, where there is pressure to meet relentless targets without adequate support, recognition, or resources—while facing high demands and a lack of empathy or inclusivity from leadership—can be harmful to your well-being. 

If you’re suffering from chronic burnout or lack of support, it may be time to step away. Walking away isn’t a sign of failure—it’s an act of self-preservation and opens opportunities for better-aligned partnerships that honor your values. 

Leverage collective advocacy  

Join with like-minded Black fundraisers and philanthropists to advocate for systemic change. Funders are more likely to take notice when there’s a collective call for equity and transparency in grantmaking. These alliances can provide more than professional support—they help shift the system as a whole. 

Practice boundaries 

Overwork is a real risk in this space, especially with the added emotional labor of representing your community’s needs. Set firm boundaries with your colleagues and funders. Consider conducting an audit of your job description after three months, and if it includes more responsibilities than agreed, bring in your manager and HR to discuss.  

Seek restorative spaces 

Prioritize time for wellness activities that help restoration—spending time in nature, meditating, exercising, or engaging in creative outlets. Wellness retreats or even small, consistent acts of self-care can help you reset. If you have a professional development budget, seek opportunities for learning and restoration. 

As Black fundraisers, we’re often asked to carry the weight of our communities’ hopes while navigating the burdens of inequitable systems. The truth is, we can only continue this work if we take care of ourselves first. By honoring our need for rest, seeking support, and advocating for change, we remind ourselves and others that our well-being is just as important as the nonprofit missions we fight for. 

Photo credit: Tempura via Getty Images