Small Nonprofit: Fundraising Tips, Leadership Strategies, and Community-Centric Solutions

Why DEI Fails in Nonprofits (and How to Do It Right)

Aug 26, 2025

Jonathan Meagher-Zayas, a global educator and equity strategist, teams up to tackle the hurdles nonprofits face in achieving true DEI. They dive into why fear and performative allyship hinder progress. Jonathan describes traditional nonprofit boards as a 'dysfunctional hot mess' and emphasizes the need for community-centered approaches. He outlines a four-stage process for meaningful equity work: Assessment, Acknowledgement, Learning, and Action, offering practical insights on integrating equity across fundraising and governance.

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INSIGHT

Performative Allyship Masks Real Resistance

Jonathan observed widespread performative allyship that produces no tangible action.
He links that behavior to deflection, fear, and unprocessed trauma about systemic oppression.

INSIGHT

Fear, Not Ill Will, Often Stops Progress

Many organizations want change but are paralyzed by fear of mistakes, cancellation, or discomfort.
Jonathan reframes fear as a common barrier that requires coaching, apology practice, and tactical next steps.

ADVICE

Train For Mistakes And Pair With Concrete Steps

Coach teams that mistakes will happen and teach how to apologize and minimize harm.
Pair coaching with concrete actions like revising databases, communications, and processes.

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Is your nonprofit struggling to turn DEI intentions into meaningful action?

Fear, burnout, and performative allyship often hold us back from creating truly equitable organizations. But what if we could move beyond discomfort into sustainable change?

In this episode, Maria sits down with Jonathan Meagher-Zayas, an equity educator and nonprofit consultant, to explore the real reasons why DEI work stalls and how to finally make it stick. They discuss power dynamics, fear of being "canceled," the broken board structure, and how small nonprofits can lead with community and strategy at the center.

Justice Work in Nonprofits: – The Highlights:

Why traditional nonprofit boards are “a dysfunctional hot mess” (his words 😆)
How fear paralyzes well-meaning teams and leaders
The difference between being canceled and being held accountable
4 stages of meaningful equity work (Assessment → Acknowledgement → Learning → Action)
How to center equity across fundraising, governance, and communications

🎧 Listen to more episodes for actionable fundraising tips and insights on nonprofit leadership, nonprofit governance, productivity & tools, and donor engagement strategies that work. We're here to eliminate nonprofit burnout and boost your donations!

About Jonathan Meagher-Zayas:

Jonathan Meagher-Zayas is a global educator, equity strategist, and nonprofit consultant. With 14+ years in fundraising, DEI work, and community organizing, he now empowers nonprofits to assess their internal systems, build more inclusive strategies, and take meaningful action toward equity.

Actionable Tips for Nonprofit Leaders to Advance Equity:

➜ Start with an internal assessment: Before jumping into training or committees, assess your org's culture, systems, and staff perspectives to understand where change is most needed.

➜ Engage your community in the process: Talk to your staff, board, and the people you serve. Let their lived experiences guide your equity goals—not just checklists or trends.

➜ Invest in internal capacity: If you're asking people to lead DEI efforts, pay them, redistribute their workload, and give them authority—not just responsibility.

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