Why Community Care Matters for Nonprofits: Rethinking Wellness Working in Social Good
10 Things Social Purpose Organizations Need to Know About Community Care
We hear a lot about self-care in today’s impact-driven workplaces, but not enough about community care. When burnout is common, capacity is stretched, and the work never stops, self-care can feel like just another item on your to-do list.
Our session with Kayla Kurin challenged that narrative, called 10 Things Social Purpose Organizations Need to Know About Community Care. A journalist, author, and chronic illness advocate, Kayla helped us unpack the difference between corporate wellness and true community care — and why shifting from “every person for themselves” to a collective, care-first approach is essential for sustainable social impact.
Whether you're a leader, team member, or solo operator in a nonprofit or social enterprise, we've got the takeaways to provide you with the mindset shifts and practical tools to integrate care into your culture — without burning out.
How Social Purpose Organizations Can Practice Community Care Every Day
Top Takeaways
1. Self-care was never meant to be individualistic.
The modern narrative around self-care has been commercialized. Audre Lorde’s original framing wasn’t about luxury — it was about survival. And in the nonprofit world, where overextension is common, we need to redefine care as preservation and sustainability.
2. Community care isn’t a luxury — it’s foundational.
Care isn't just massages and yoga classes. It’s systems. It’s built-in rituals, equitable policies, and cultures where people don’t have to ask for basic accommodations.
3. Inclusive policies are a form of care.
From flexible hours to culturally diverse holiday time, designing systems that proactively account for difference is one of the most inclusive — and preventative — things organizations can do.
4. Corporate wellness ≠ community care.
Wellness initiatives focused solely on productivity reinforce the same harmful systems. Community care asks: How do we care for the whole person, not just the worker?
5. Rituals matter.
Simple practices like walking meetings, regular mental health check-ins, or quarterly “blue sky” sessions can make a big impact when they’re built into culture and not tacked on.
6. Care helps integrate, not separate, work and life.
Especially in mission-driven organizations, work and life blend. Care strategies help ensure that blend is nourishing rather than depleting.
7. Community care is an act of rebellion.
It challenges capitalist ideals of output, profit, and self-reliance. Reframing your workplace around care is a radical act of sustainability.
Your Questions, Answered
Q: What are signs your team needs better care practices?
Kayla: When people consistently feel rushed, overwhelmed, or tired, it’s a red flag. Watch for disconnected communication or a lack of cohesion between departments — that’s often a sign that people aren’t able to show up fully.
Q: What questions should leaders regularly ask about care?
Start with: Who is part of the conversation? Are your care practices inclusive or reactive? Are people safe to name their needs? Is the structure helping people thrive — or just survive?
Q: How can care be communicated effectively within an organization?
Approach with openness. Don’t try to pitch care like a product — instead, share challenges and invite ideas. Normalize these conversations through regular check-ins and collaborative planning.
Q: What about when capacity is already stretched thin?
Kayla: Sometimes the most powerful step is to zoom out. Ask what would really happen if a project was delayed or scaled back. Care often doesn’t require more resources — just a shift in priorities and planning.
Q: How do you move from freelance work to a team environment while advocating for care?
When applying or interviewing, ask about team culture, hybrid work options, flexibility, and communication norms. These reveal whether the organization prioritizes care, even before you join.
Q: What are your personal favourite care practices?
Kayla: Walking meetings, 1:1 check-ins, music in the background, and any small ritual that integrates care into the workday. The smallest shifts often have the biggest impact.
Recommended Resources
Audre Lorde’s writings on care and political resistance
WHO definition of self-care for a community lens
Blue Zones research on social connections in Okinawa
Kayla’s book: Yoga for Chronic Pain: 7 Steps to Healing Fibromyalgia with Yoga and Meditation
Kayla’s writing in the Toronto Star, Yoga International, and more
What’s next?
Community care isn’t just a wellness trend — it’s a systemic shift. And if we’re serious about equity, inclusion, and sustainability, we can’t afford to treat it as optional.
This session reminded us that care is about more than adding wellness perks — it’s about redesigning systems, rituals, and roles to reflect the kind of community we want to build. Because a truly thriving team isn’t just efficient. It’s cared for.
Watch the replay + all upcoming sessions:
Available with The Good Growth Company Membership
Join us for a future session of our 10 Things Series.
