January is the season of fresh starts, lofty goals, and bold declarations. In the nonprofit world, that often translates into resolutions like “We will finally meet the budget,” “We will serve more people,” or “This will be the year everything magically feels less hard.”

Those are worthy goals. But if history tells us anything, it’s that hitting those outcomes requires more than grit and caffeine.

So instead of focusing only on what you want to achieve this year, I want to suggest a few resolutions that focus on how you lead. These won’t just make your year more enjoyable—they’ll actually help you get closer to those big, ambitious goals.

Here are a few nonprofit-leader New Year’s resolutions worth considering:

1. Commit to balance (or something resembling it)

You’re no good to your organization if you’re completely burned out, chronically stressed, and one minor inconvenience away from tears. This doesn’t mean bubble baths fix everything—but it does mean protecting your energy, setting reasonable boundaries, and acknowledging that rest is a leadership skill.

2. Tell thoughtful stories—not just impressive statistics

Yes, the numbers matter. Funders love them. Boards ask for them. But people connect with stories. Make a resolution to tell fewer “look how busy we are” stories and more “here’s why this work matters” stories. Bonus points if they include nuance, dignity, and real humanity.

3. Really connect with your agency’s “friends”

You know the ones—donors, volunteers, partners, staff, community champions, etc.. This year, aim to move beyond transactional relationships. Fewer mass emails, more genuine check-ins. Fewer asks, more listening. People don’t want to feel like an ATM; they want to feel like they belong.

4. Reflect on why you got into—and stay in—this work

Nonprofit leadership can quietly turn passion into obligation. Make time to revisit your “why.” What pulled you into this work in the first place? What still keeps you here? Reconnecting with that purpose can be grounding on the days when the spreadsheet wins.

5. Celebrate small wins (even when the big win isn’t here yet)

Did a board member step up? Did a program participant have a breakthrough? Did a meeting end early? Celebrate it. Waiting for the big milestone often means missing the momentum built by small, meaningful progress.

6. Focus on culture, not just output

Culture isn’t a “nice to have.” It’s the invisible force shaping how your team shows up every day. Make 2026 the year you pay attention to how people feel at work—not just what they produce. Healthy culture fuels sustainability.

7. Outsource the stuff you’re not good at—or simply don’t have capacity for

You do not get a gold star for doing everything yourself. If there are tasks that drain you, distract you, or consistently fall to the bottom of the list, consider outsourcing them. Your time is valuable, even if the nonprofit sector sometimes pretends otherwise.

8. Delegate like you mean it

Delegation isn’t dumping tasks and disappearing. It’s trusting others, setting clear expectations, and letting people grow. This year, resolve to stop being the bottleneck. Leadership isn’t about being indispensable—it’s about building capacity beyond yourself.

None of these resolutions require a new grant, a bigger staff, or a miracle. They don’t even require a whole bunch of extra time. What they do require is intention, reflection, and a willingness to lead differently.

And if nothing else, may this be the year you stop expecting yourself to be a superhero and start leading like a human.

Finding balance in the nonprofit sector can be challenging. Email me at Kim@Athena-CoCo.com, or schedule a Discovery Call if you would like to discuss goals that will make your life as a nonprofit leader easier! 

 

Kim is a mom, lover of being active and the outdoors, and helper of nonprofit leaders.
kim@athena-coco.com