Shifting Nonprofit Power Dynamics for True Community Impact
Power in the nonprofit world is a tricky thing. We exist to serve—but are we really shifting power to the communities we claim to support?
The reality is, many nonprofits are constrained by boards, funders, and external stakeholders who shape our work in ways that may not align with what communities actually need. That tension is at the heart of many systemic inequities in our sector, and it’s time we talk about it.
In a recent LinkedIn Live, Simon Kiranda (Akamwenhu Initiative Uganda), Stacy Huston (SixDegrees.Org), and Matthew Ratz (Passion for Learning) sat down to dig into nonprofit power dynamics—who holds the power, how to shift it, and what it really means to be community-driven.
These aren’t easy conversations, but they’re essential. Because if we’re serious about shifting power, we need to ask ourselves:
Are we making space for community leadership, or are we just using the language of inclusion?
What Does It Mean to Be Truly Community-Driven?
It’s one thing to say we’re community-driven—it’s another to live it.
For Stacy Huston, it starts with listening first. At SixDegrees.Org, a nonprofit founded by actor and philanthropist Kevin Bacon, their model is built around amplifying grassroots organizations that are already deeply embedded in their communities.
“We want to show up. We want to listen first,” she explained. “The people that are directly impacted should be shaping the programs, not just benefiting from them.”
That’s more than just a philosophy—it’s built into how SixDegrees.Org operates. Instead of running top-down initiatives, they work directly with local nonprofits to understand their needs. One example? Their resource kit program, which distributes essential supplies to grassroots groups. Instead of assuming what should go in these kits, they ask the nonprofits themselves.
“It would be easier to have a one-size-fits-all kit,” Stacy admitted. “But that’s not how communities work. We take the time to ask, ‘What do you actually need?’ Because that’s what being community-driven looks like.”
Meanwhile, at Passion for Learning, Matthew Ratz sees community leadership through the lens of educational equity. His organization supports low-income youth, but unlike many education nonprofits, Passion for Learning doesn’t dictate programming from the top down.
“Some of the most disenfranchised voices in the world are youth,” Matthew shared. “We call it student voice and choice—students decide if they want to engage, what topics they want to explore, and how they want to learn.”
That commitment to student-led programming means real change. Instead of forcing students into pre-designed programs, Passion for Learning works with them to co-create experiences tailored to their actual needs and interests—whether that’s financial literacy, filmmaking, or STEM education.
For Simon Kiranda, being community-driven means being a pathfinder. In Uganda, his organization, Akamwenhu Initiative, doesn’t just provide aid—it works alongside communities to create sustainable, community-led solutions.
“When we look at people leading community work, they’re like pathfinders,” Simon said. “They’ve identified the problem, and they’re going where the communities already are.”
At Akamwenhu Initiative, this means focusing on empowering women and mothers with skills that improve their livelihoods. They don’t assume what will work—instead, they listen, adapt, and co-create solutions with the people they serve.
Who Holds the Power? The Role of Boards, Funders, and External Stakeholders
Let’s be honest—many nonprofit decisions aren’t made by the people closest to the work.
Boards, funders, and external stakeholders often shape nonprofit priorities in ways that disconnect organizations from the communities they serve. That power imbalance is where things start to break down.
At Passion for Learning, Matthew has seen this firsthand.
“I even want to put a student on our board,” he explained, “but right now we have a financial give/get that’s unattainable for a lot of our students. We’d have to adjust our bylaws.”
This is a common barrier—many nonprofit boards expect members to contribute financially, automatically excluding the very people who should have a seat at the table.
And then there’s the funder dynamic. Stacy Huston put it bluntly:
“Funders shouldn’t dictate the mission. They should fuel it.”
Too often, nonprofits contort themselves to fit funder priorities—even when those priorities don’t align with community needs.
That’s why SixDegrees.Org walked away from a six-figure donation when the donor’s requirements didn’t match their mission.
“Did it hurt? Yeah. But it also felt really good,” Stacy shared. “It gave our team and our partners confidence that we stand by our values.”
Here’s the kicker: that decision didn’t sink them. Instead, new funders—ones who truly aligned—stepped up. That’s the power of clarity and alignment.
Power Shifts Require More Than Advisory Boards
Here’s the hard truth: Asking for input is not the same as sharing power.
Too often, nonprofits rely on advisory boards or one-time community surveys and call it “community engagement.” But real power-sharing means structural change.
“A diverse board isn’t the same as an empowered board,” Stacy emphasized.
At Akamwenhu Initiative, Simon shared a beautiful analogy about power-sharing:
“Each of us holds a piece of a broken crayon,” he said. “But when we put them together, we can still color a full picture. That’s how power works—it’s not about one leader holding all the pieces. It’s about coming together.”
At Passion for Learning, this means fighting for student voices at the governance level—even if it means rewriting bylaws. At SixDegrees.Org, it means ensuring grassroots leaders are the ones shaping campaigns, not just participating in them.
From Discussion to Action – What’s Next for Nonprofits?
If we’re serious about shifting power, we need to move from conversation to implementation.
Some takeaways from our panelists:
✔️ Center community voices in decision-making—not just storytelling.
✔️ Recognize that funders should fuel the mission, not control it.
✔️ Break the cycle of scarcity mindset. Walking away from misaligned funding can open new doors.
✔️ Stop mistaking input for power-sharing. Advisory boards alone don’t shift the balance.
✔️ Operate with humility. We’re here to serve, not to save.
Moving the Needle on Power Dynamics in Nonprofit Work
Shifting power in the nonprofit sector requires two critical changes: a re-examination of who holds decision-making authority and a commitment to true community leadership. Organizations that prioritize community-driven decision-making, transparent governance, and funder alignment are the ones creating sustainable, long-term impact.
What became clear from this conversation with Simon, Stacy, and Matthew is that power dynamics aren’t just an abstract issue—they define how nonprofits function at every level. If we want to move beyond performative inclusion and into real equity, we must be willing to question our own structures, share power meaningfully, and center the people most impacted by our work.
At the heart of it all, this isn’t just about making nonprofits more effective. It’s about shifting the way we think about leadership, impact, and community agency—so that the people we serve are also the ones driving the change.
Our Speakers
During our recent LinkedIn Live, we had the privilege of speaking with three leaders who have firsthand experience navigating power dynamics in the nonprofit sector. Their insights, challenges, and real-world examples made this discussion an essential conversation for anyone committed to building a more just and community-centered nonprofit sector.
Simon Kiranda | Founder at Akamwenhu Initiative Uganda
Simon leads grassroots efforts in Uganda, where he doesn’t just provide aid—he works alongside communities to co-create solutions that last. His organization focuses on empowering women and families through skills-building and sustainable development programs. Simon believes that true leadership isn’t about control—it’s about walking alongside communities as a pathfinder, helping to identify challenges and create solutions that come from within.
Stacy Huston | Executive Director for SixDegrees.Org
As the leader of SixDegrees.Org, Stacy is deeply invested in redefining what it means to be a community-driven nonprofit. Her work centers around amplifying grassroots organizations, ensuring that those closest to the work have the resources and visibility they need to thrive. Stacy has seen the dangers of funders and external stakeholders overpowering mission-driven work, which is why she and her team are intentional about working with aligned partners who don’t just fund the work—but fuel it.
Matthew Ratz | Executive Director for Passion for Learning
Matthew’s work focuses on educational equity and ensuring that youth voices aren’t just included—but prioritized in decision-making. At Passion for Learning, students have agency over their own learning, shaping programming based on their interests and needs. His work challenges the traditional power structures of nonprofit governance, advocating for youth representation at the board level and ensuring programs reflect the lived experiences of those they serve.
Together, these three leaders painted a powerful picture of what real power-sharing looks like—and why shifting power is not just the right thing to do, but an essential strategy for creating stronger, more sustainable organizations.
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Tasha Van Vlack is the co-founder of The Nonprofit Hive. Her happy place is building community, talking nonprofit work/marketing/parenting and meeting new people.
Being a cheerleader for nonprofiteers is where Tasha has found her niche – she hopes that by providing a space for connection, nonprofit work will become more collaborative and supportive.