This article was written by MCN President & CEO Nonoko Sato and originally published in the Winter 2025 issue of Nonprofit News: Navigating Uncertainty. Read the full issue.
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I never thought I would waver in my personal commitment to equity and justice. Let me rephrase that: my commitment has never wavered, but my willingness to publicly stand for it certainly has. I’m angry, frustrated, and scared. I find myself pausing before using certain words that I wouldn’t have hesitated to say just a month ago. I know I’m not alone in feeling this way.
I recognize that being able to waver in this moment is a privilege. Our neighbors and friends who are low-income, immigrants, undocumented, unhoused, transgender, Black, Native, Asian, and Latino/a are not only terrified but are being actively attacked by systems that should be protecting them. Children, elders, people with disabilities, veterans, rural communities, and those impacted by geopolitical crises may lose access to essential services and safety nets—services like food, health care, child care, and more.
Nonprofits that support these communities are facing unimaginable challenges and uncertainty, including loss of funding and potential threats to their tax-exempt status. DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) work has always been precarious at best, and many with the least to lose deprioritize this “core value” at the first sign of inconvenience. The most vulnerable communities once again bear the weight of these challenges because, for them, survival literally depends on it.
In this moment, how can we as a sector, and as nonprofits, stay true to our values?
Ground yourself in community and hold yourself accountable
In 2021, the board and staff of MCN collaboratively created a list of our core values. This statement continues to guide our work—from program development and strategic priorities, to how we hire, support our staff, and structure our board meetings. It is one of the most critical documents we use daily. Most importantly, it holds my board, my team, and me accountable to the nonprofit members who trust in our work, and we don’t take that responsibility lightly.
Nonprofit values, even if not publicly stated, are rooted in the communities we serve. For us, we are guided by the expertise, vibrancy, diversity, and collective care of our nonprofit sector. Recognize and utilize your own privilege to amplify the voices of those who are silenced. And give yourselves grace when you can’t or have to make tough decisions. Know that the work will continue, and there will always be a place for you. Trust in your community—they know what they need to thrive.
Our sector is strong, and advocacy is power
Nonprofits touch the lives of people every day. As of this writing, nonprofits are facing critical cuts to federal funding, executive orders that threaten our operations, the livelihoods of nonprofit professionals, and, most importantly, our ability to serve our communities.
We are a sector that fiercely defends our nonpartisanship, First Amendment rights, and core democratic values. We don’t have to agree on everything—and that’s the point. Regardless of our identities or status (socio-economic, geographic, political, racial, and ethnic), all citizens of this country have a right to vote, and all residents have a constitutional right to be counted. Use your voice to educate lawmakers about your work and its impact. Share what would happen to your community if you could no longer serve them. Find your coalitions, stay informed, and respond to calls for action from trusted sources. Your state association of nonprofits is a good place to start. In Minnesota, MCN has a consolidated page of resources for nonprofits.
Immerse yourself in joy
At the heart of nonprofit work is joy. Our collective vision for thriving communities must include laughter, beauty, creativity, inspiration, and celebration. Joy is a core value in our work. Spend time with loved ones. Take a break from the news, at least for a while. Sleep in (cue the laugh/cry from parents). Go watch or listen to something beautiful (support nonprofit arts!). Seek out and learn from the stories and art of our Black, Native, immigrant, transgender, and historically resilient neighbors. Rest, so you can take care of others tomorrow.
There is always hope, and what we choose to do in this moment matters.
In community,
Nonoko Sato
MCN President & CEO