My Love Hate Relationship as a Non-Profit Executive Director

While I talk way to much about my side hustles, my main hustle is being a non-profit Executive Director. I’ve worked in the non-profit world for almost as long as I can remember. I grew up the kid of a non-profit addict and learned from the best. Instead of sleepovers, dance or cheer camp I was with my Mom. We went to libraries to do research, conferences, symposiums (how about knowing what a symposium was at 10 years old) and countless meetings. I learned by listening but most definitely not getting involved in grown folks conversation that also involved work. I kept my mouth shut!

My Mom, My Hero

Then when I was about 16 or so my Mom said you should talk about your experience from your generations standpoint. My Mom, Janet Colson, was the Executive Director of the Creole Heritage Center at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, LA. I grew up surrounded by Phd’s, academics and many “extra” parents. My Mom commandeered Creole culture in a way no one had ever done before. She created the largest Creole genealogy database and held conferences and events all over the country. Janet Ravare Colson was a force to be reckoned with. 

I paid attention to the words that were said and watched the impact of the work be done. Early on I was able to see how my voice, my experiences, thoughts and opinions could also make an impact. I learned about grant writing, project implementation, strategic planning and public speaking. Oh the public speaking part, be still my heart. You know how some people get their kicks jumping out of planes, mine was an audience and a microphone. It was absolutely my calling. Over the years I learned if I could make them laugh, then make them cry then I could make the all important ask. 

Creole Heritage Center Days

I worked at the Creole Heritage Center in different capacities over the years and was able to do incredible things. Cultural preservation and education was my thing and I had the opportunity to speak from California to South Carolina and all points in between. I knew that this is what I wanted to do. 

I then moved on to more of the social services area of non-profit work, working with adults living with mental illness, the un housed part of the community and also fundraising and strategic planning. Since that time I’ve spent most of my time embracing non-profits that need a rebrand and made sexy again and then moving on to my next project.

The Non-Profit Truth

Here’s the other side of the story. This is not a job you want because you want to be rich. That won’t happen, you will more than likely have to raise your own salary and will have very little staff. I finally have an assistant after more than 25 years of non-profit work. 25 years! And it’s super dreamy and makes me happy. You can and will get burnt out. The stories you hear, the wanting to heal everyone, trying to raise funds in a down market, all of these things are the parts no one tells you about working in the non-profit arena. It’s real.

COVID-19 has been especially hard on most non-profits that don’t have a focus on public health. Fundraising is difficult and even more so when everything must be done virtually. The struggle has been real for the past year and a half. I currently focus on community health along with other projects and trying to make where I live the best it can be. For almost ten years I’ve involved myself with something to do with public health and healthy communities. It’s exciting to see the transformation that can take place where collaboration and innovation meet. 

The Calling to Work

If you feel called to do the good work, then do it. It’s an all inclusive job, you get to be the director, the bookkeeper, the fundraiser, the marketer and the janitor. But you will feel rewarded when you see progress, the relief on the face of the family you helped or the joy you can spread with dollars you’ve raised to make a difference. Simply put, be the change you want to see in the world.