In Part three of her series, Louise Dawtry explores how leaders and funders can make People Experience a strategic advantage for the nonprofit sector.
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In the nonprofit world, passion and purpose often come at the expense of personal well-being. The relentless “nonstop” mindset, fuelled by the drive to make a difference, can blur the boundaries between work and life, leaving staff and volunteers burnt out and organisations stuck in a cycle of busyness. But what if we could flip the script? What if People Experience (PX) became our sector’s greatest strategic advantage, not just a wellbeing initiative?

Over the past two articles (part one, and part two), I’ve explored the hidden pressures within our sector and shared practical steps for creating people-first cultures. Now, in Part Three, it’s time to focus on the critical role leaders and funders play in sustaining meaningful, people-first change.

Leadership sets the tone

Culture really does start at the top. I have seen organisations with the best PX strategies on paper only to be completely ignored by the SLT. This sends a message organisation-wide that those people initiatives within that strategy are simply not important. In contrast to this, when board members, CEOs, and senior leaders visibly model people-first values - taking lunch breaks, sharing personal boundaries, prioritising wellbeing - they send a powerful message: our wellbeing and our experience matters. This isn’t just about policies and procedures; it’s about everyday actions. Leaders who champion PX create environments where staff feel safe, valued, and empowered to bring their best selves to work.

Funders as partners in wellbeing

Funders have a unique opportunity to shape the sector’s culture. By supporting core costs, including wellbeing initiatives, and simplifying reporting requirements, funders can help organisations invest in their people. Some forward-thinking funders are already championing people-first approaches, recognising that sustainable impact starts with resilient teams. Imagine the ripple effect if more funders made wellbeing a priority in their grant making.

Embedding PX in strategy and governance

PX shouldn’t be an afterthought; it belongs at the heart of organisational strategy. That means including PX metrics in board reports (such as employee engagement scores, wellbeing satisfaction rates, employee net promoter score), making wellbeing a standing agenda item at leadership meetings, and aligning strategic objectives with your people plan. When wellbeing is woven into governance, it truly becomes part of the organisation’s DNA.

Equipping leaders to lead with care

Compassionate leadership is a skill that can be learned and nurtured. People management comes with complexities that shouldn’t be overlooked or underestimated. Investing in training, peer support, and mentoring for managers and trustees’ helps leaders navigate the challenges they face. Vulnerability and open communication across the entire organisation creates space for honest conversations and genuine connection.

Sustaining change: accountability and feedback loops

Lasting change requires clear goals, regular measurement, and robust feedback mechanisms. Implementing 360 degree feedback processes as part of performance management procedures can help drive organisational success. When your people can hold their leaders accountable, and successes are celebrated, organisations build trust and momentum. Learning from setbacks is just as important as celebrating wins.

By equipping leaders to lead with care and embedding accountability throughout our organisations, we lay the groundwork for lasting, positive change. These steps are especially vital now, as many in our sector face difficult decisions and uncertainty. The nonprofit sector is at a crossroads: how we support our people today will shape our resilience and impact tomorrow.

Leaders and funders have the power to champion People Experience and create cultures where purpose and wellbeing truly coexist, even in challenging times. The long-term benefits are clear: resilient teams, sustainable impact, and a thriving sector.
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Author bio: Louise Dawtry is a People & Culture strategist, and founder of ‘What’s the Chari-tea?’ community and podcast. She advocates for better wellbeing in the nonprofit sector and regularly writes, speaks and consults on building sustainable, people-first organisations. You can follow Louise on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/louisedawtry/ and What’s the Chari-tea? on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/whatsthecharitea/

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