Hello and welcome!
No Bandwidth is a monthly publication designed to shift the way we think about philanthropy and its role in society. Each issue will feature personal offerings from me, thoughtfully-curated tools + insights from outside sources, and random bonus goodies/fun stuff.
So, why the name “No Bandwidth”? Here’s the backstory:
After working (rather, overworking 😵💫) in the nonprofit sector for a handful of years, burnout and apathy snuck up on me— big time.
There was a period during 2019-2021 where I was experiencing frequent anxiety attacks, debilitating stomach pains, and irritability like you would not believe. I was struggling to find joy, both at work and in my personal life.
The more I learned about the nonprofit sector and the societal issues it was trying to solve, the more I felt like “changing the world” was an actual collective delusion rather than a feasible reality.
Though lifestyle changes, support from friends and family, and a lot of self-reflection, I was able work through my slump and channel my frustrations with the nonprofit sector in more productive and creative ways.
I wrote my first article for Community-Centric Fundraising in December 2021, and decided to start my own publication to continue exploring a concept I’m calling intuitive philanthropy.
My idea of what philanthropy could/should be rests on three core beliefs:
Self-care alongside community care: We need both. You cannot fully show up for others if you aren’t first grounded and cared-for yourself. (Trust me.)
People over prestige: Nonprofits, donors, and community activists should operate with anti-capitalist intentions, putting community needs before profit or public appearance.
Abundance for all: The perspectives of marginalized and intersectional populations must be at the center of all nonprofit work if we are ever to move beyond the exploitative nature of the nonprofit industrial complex towards true equity and prosperity.
Now, I know what you may be thinking: This all sounds nice in theory, but how do we actually go about making these shifts in society?
In talking with friends and colleagues, many of them share my feelings that we can and should do better, but we all so often lack the bandwidth (Voila!) to explore new ways of approaching philanthropic issues.
Here’s where I come in: each month, I’ll do the digging and curate thoughtful resources and ideas to share with you. All you need to do is subscribe and they’re yours for free!
My hope is that this newsletter will highlight solutions to performative activism and inspire real, sustainable change in society— and in ourselves. I hope you’ll join me on this ride. 🌈
Until next time,
Selia