There are very few nonprofits that can go it alone. Most of the field must rely on one another. 

Because of this, the most critical organizational currency is relationships: how we relate to our people, partners, and most importantly, how we connect with those we serve. This is not to say that money doesn’t matter, it does, but relevance matters more. And when we operate in an environment of change—when uncertainty prevails—we need to move closer and closer to what matters most to the communities we’re a part of. To do that, we must examine the very nature of these relationships and work intentionally to improve them. 

Can our reason for working together be more than a transaction? What does it mean to reciprocate when financial scarcity challenges our very existence? 

If sustainability is the goal, then relationships are the path. In a time when uncertainty is constant and resources feel scarce, the organizations that will endure are those that choose connection over competition and reciprocity over transaction. Our relevance, our resilience, and our ability to serve all depend on the quality of the relationships we nurture. The question isn’t just how we work together, but why. And if the answer is rooted in trust, shared purpose, and mutual care, then we’re building something that can truly last.