Coffee & Conversations: Grace in the Middle of Growth

It's hard to believe I've only been at NDANO for 30 days.

Honestly, it's felt like three months and three minutes at the same time.

The best part so far has been meeting people.

Members. Board members. Nonprofit leaders. Volunteers. Community partners.

Every conversation reminds me just how much good is happening across North Dakota. People are quietly showing up every day, solving problems, helping neighbors, filling gaps, and making our communities stronger. The more people I meet, the more excited I get about all the people I haven't met yet.

There are thousands of nonprofits across our state.

Thousands.

That means I still have a lot of coffee meetings ahead of me. Honestly, that's my favorite part of the job.

The operational side of the role has also given me a very real reminder of what nonprofit leaders experience every day.

We're in the middle of a major transition at NDANO. There are so many exciting things happening, along with a lot of systems, processes, accounts, logins, permissions, transfers, and other glamorous administrative adventures happening behind the scenes.

For example, getting my email set up became a week-long saga.

A week.

Was I sitting around staring at a loading screen the entire time? Of course not. When messages are coming into multiple places and you're forwarding things back and forth trying to make sure nothing gets missed, extra work finds its way into every part of the day.

The experience gave me a renewed appreciation for something I already knew but am now feeling in real time:

The mission is only part of the work.

The other part is keeping the lights on.

It's fundraising, administration, operations, technology, reporting, systems, meetings, emails, budgets, and approximately 437 other things that nobody puts in the annual report.

Every one of those things matters because they allow the mission to happen.

Over the last few weeks, I've had conversations with nonprofit leaders who are carrying a lot.

One leader in particular stuck with me.

As we talked, I could feel the weight they were carrying. They were leading an organization through transition, supporting staff, managing operations, building for the future, and trying to keep everything moving forward all at the same time.

So I asked a simple question:

"What brings you joy?"

That question stayed with me.

We hear the phrase "self-care" all the time. Usually it comes packaged with expensive candles, spa days, and advice from people who somehow seem to have 36 hours in their day.

I think self-care can be a lot simpler.

Sometimes it's just giving yourself permission to enjoy something.

If you like gardening, garden.

If you like fishing, fish.

If you like baking, bake.

If you like watching reality TV and judging everyone's life choices from the comfort of your couch, I support you.

Whatever it is, be there while you're doing it.

Don't answer emails.

Don't solve tomorrow's problems.

Don't mentally rewrite your strategic plan.

Just be a human being for a minute.

Here's what I've learned from meeting so many nonprofit leaders:

I don't know many people who aren't trying.

Most people are doing the best they can with the resources they have.

Most people care deeply.

Most people want to make a difference.

That realization has reinforced something I believe deeply: we could all benefit from giving each other a little more grace.

Including ourselves.

As I've reflected on these first 24 days, there are three things that keep coming back to me.

The Mission Is Only Half the Work.

One of the biggest reminders I've had over the past few weeks is that nonprofit work isn't just about the mission.

It's also about operations.

It's fundraising, administration, technology, budgets, systems, meetings, compliance, and all the behind-the-scenes work that allows organizations to serve their communities.

The mission is what inspires us.

Operations are what sustain us.

Operational work isn't always glamorous. It is often what makes the greatest impact possible.

Most People Are Carrying More Than We Realize.

I've met with dozens of nonprofit leaders in my first few weeks, and one thing has become very clear:

People care deeply.

People are working hard.

People are trying their best.

Many are leading organizations through change, managing limited resources, and balancing competing priorities while continuing to show up for their communities every day.

A little patience, understanding, and grace can go a long way.

Expectations still matter. Humanity matters too.

Joy Isn't a Luxury. It's Fuel.

That conversation about joy has stayed with me.

It's easy to put ourselves at the bottom of the priority list, especially when there is always another email to answer, another meeting to attend, or another problem to solve.

The truth is that we can't pour endlessly from an empty cup.

Joy isn't something we earn after all the work is done.

It's what helps us keep doing the work.

Whether it's time with family, fishing, gardening, reading, baking, crafting, or simply sitting quietly with a cup of coffee, those moments matter.

When those moments come, give yourself permission to fully enjoy them.

The work will still be there tomorrow.

Final Thoughts

Thirty days in, I'm incredibly grateful.

For the people I've met, for the stories I've heard, and for the opportunity to support North Dakota's nonprofit community.

The nonprofit sector is full of people who care deeply and show up every day for causes bigger than themselves. Witnessing that commitment has been inspiring, and being part of it is a privilege.

If there's one thing I'd leave you with this month, it's this:

Give yourself the same grace you so freely give others, make room for moments of joy, and find the things that fill your cup and lean into them - and hard .

The work will still be there tomorrow, but YOU DESERVE to be there for yourself today.

I'm excited to continue meeting more of you in the months ahead.

After all, I still have a few thousand coffee conversations left to have.

Until next time,

Kayla