What Does It Really Mean to Be a Human-Centered Nonprofit?
“Human-centered” has become a bit of a buzzword in the nonprofit world. But when your work depends on people who care deeply, who are often doing more with less, it’s essential.
To be human-centered means you’re not just focused on delivering programs and hitting fundraising goals. It means you’re also actively caring for the people doing the work–the staff, board members, and volunteers holding it all together.
It’s about making intentional choices that support wellbeing, clarity, connection, and purpose alongside performance.
Why This Matters Right Now
Nonprofit teams are navigating more uncertainty and overwhelm than ever before. Folks are feeling burned out, disconnected, or stuck in reactive cycles.
When that becomes the norm, it not only affects morale, it affects the mission, too.
The good news? You don’t have to wait for more resources or a new strategic plan to make meaningful changes. Becoming a more human-centered organization can start with small shifts in how you meet, plan, reflect, and support one another.
What Human-Centered Nonprofits Do Differently
They invite staff into conversations about what’s sustainable, not just what’s urgent.
They build in rituals and rhythms that support people, not just process.
They make space for emotion and uncertainty, not as distractions, but as real parts of the work.
They understand that how you do the work is part of the impact.
They build in rituals that reinforce a sense of belonging by building celebrations, check-ins, and shared practices into the way they operate.
And perhaps most importantly: these organizations don’t try to do it all alone.
Why Bring in Outside Support?
Culture change is hard to do from the inside, especially when everyone is stretched. One nonprofit leader shared their experience working with me this way:
“Erin-Kate is a comforting, encouraging, and well-educated partner in sussing out how to get your arms around a topic that is a lot. They validate and acknowledge all the feelings in the room AND help harness them to work toward change instead of letting them be a barrier.
It felt like a safe space, and we felt empowered to be imperfect and messy. EK always brought so much grace into the Zoom room and shared it around as needed.”
“I wish I could have EK on speed dial. Just having a partner who is outside looking in is HUGELY helpful.”
This is the kind of partnership I aim to bring to every organization I work with—equal parts strategy, reflection, and care.
I support small nonprofits (under 200 people) to:
Identify and build on existing cultural strengths and rituals
Create practical, human-centered practices that reduce burnout and strengthen team cohesion
Facilitate the tough but necessary conversations that help you move your team forward with retreats or a strategic plan, and with greater practices to support the team and with clarity and connection
Whether you're facing transition, growth, or just want to feel more aligned, I'm here to help your team work better together.
Let’s create a workplace where your people feel as cared for as the communities you serve.
