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Sarah Jaquette Ray, professor and chair of environmental studies at Cal Poly Humboldt.
My colleague Jim Rendon recently spoke with Sarah Jaquette Ray about how to avoid burnout and what it means to build a truly sustainable social movement. Ray is professor and chair of environmental studies at Cal Poly Humbold and author of the new book
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Courtesy Sarah Jaquette Ray
Sarah Jaquette Ray, professor and chair of environmental studies at Cal Poly Humboldt.
Amid a stream of funding cuts and policy shifts coming from the federal government, “there is a kind of overwhelming fire-hose assault, and that is causing the deflation and fatalism that we feel,” Ray told Jim. “Finding pockets of joy, pleasure, delight, and humor are ways that we can tap the emotional and chemical spaces in our bodies that we need to keep doing the work.”
Ray became interested in studying burnout after noticing that many of her environmental studies students were struggling with anxiety and had begun feeling helpless in their ability to shift the needle on the climate crisis. As a result, they had begun skipping classes or dropping out altogether. It’s hard to face seemingly insurmountable challenges, but there’s one trick that can make a big difference, she says: tuning in to community.
“When my students are not doing well in my classes, and they are embarrassed to see me, they still show up because they want to be in community with each other,” she says. “If you can get to that point where you’re showing up to work because of community, then that’s the antidote to burnout.
Nonprofits raise as much as a third of their annual fundraising revenue in the final quarter of the year, but savvy major gift officers keep their major donors and major gift prospects informed and engaged all year long. Join us for Plan Now for Big Gifts at Year’s End to learn smart ways to map out donor meetings, craft compelling messages, and track key metrics to ensure you make the most of the next six months and hit your goals for the year.
Within the next five years, AI has the potential to radically alter the ways we interact with technology and what we expect from it. Join us for A Glimpse into Our Near Future: AI Is Transforming Nonprofits, to learn from Jamie Alexandre of Learning Equality, Ashutosh R. Nandeshwar of CCS Fundraising, and Nick Suplina of Everytown for Gun Safety as they explain how AI is redefining what’s possible in the nonprofit world.
Valerie Jarrett, head of the Obama Foundation, shares her tips on identifying the skills your senior team needs, attracting strong candidates, and building cohesion in the C-suite.
As economic worries grow amid federal funding cuts and threats of a potential recession, monthly giving can provide stability for your nonprofit by creating a predictable and dependable revenue stream.
Three experts explain how to get to know foundation program officers and best position your nonprofit to secure flexible funding.
Tip of the Week
Don’t forget to make sure everyone at the leadership table feels welcome. While working as a senior adviser to the Obama administration, Valerie Jarrett remembers noticing that many of the women leaders struggled to feel heard by their male colleagues in the White House. In response, she gathered a group of women for a candid dinner with President Obama, who promised to address their concerns and check in with Jarrett to make sure things got better. Now, as CEO of the Obama Foundation, Jarrett takes care to ensure all members of her leadership team feel heard. For more leadership tips, listen to the latest episode of our podcast, “How Valerie Jarrett, the Obama Foundation CEO, Builds a Strong Executive Team.”
New Grant Opportunities
Your Chronicle subscription includes free access to GrantStation’s database of grant opportunities.
Financial Literacy: The Nasdaq Foundation’s Quarterly Grant Program seeks to support under-resourced communities in the U.S. by equipping communities with the financial knowledge needed to share in the wealth that markets create. Grants focus on organizations and programs that enhance financial literacy among under-resourced communities. Average grant size is $75,000; remaining 2025 deadlines are August 1 and October 24.
Adults With Autism: NEXT for AUTISM’s grants program supports initiatives in the United States that empower autistic adults to lead fulfilling and productive lives. Grants fund autistic-led and community-based initiatives creating meaningful change in four areas: work; home; friendships and community integration; and health and well-being. First-time grantees may apply for up to $10,000, while returning grantees are eligible to request up to $25,000; application deadline: July 27.
