Why is burnout so prevalent in the nonprofit sector? How can funders better support the people who deliver? In today’s episode of Embodying Change, host Melissa Pitotti welcomes Rusty Stahl, founder of Fund the People. Rusty shares his journey into philanthropy, the systemic issues leading to chronic underinvestment in nonprofit staff, and the innovative solutions Fund the People advocates for. You’ll learn about the harmful myths surrounding nonprofit overhead, the importance of treating nonprofit staff as essential assets, and practical steps to foster a healthier, more sustainable nonprofit sector. If you're passionate about creating a supportive and effective nonprofit environment, this episode is a must-listen. Today’s Guest Rusty Stahl is the founder of Fund the People, an organization dedicated to maximizing investment in the nonprofit workforce. With a background in social justice and philanthropy, Rusty has been a leading voice in advocating for better support and compensation for nonprofit staff. Website: fundthepeople.orgSocial Media: LinkedIn, Twitter You’ll Learn The historical and systemic issues leading to underinvestment in nonprofit staffWhy burnout is a symptom of deeper organizational problemsThe concept of "talent investing" and how it can transform the nonprofit sectorPractical steps funders and nonprofits can take to better support their workforceThe importance of aligning funding practices with organizational needs and values Resources Mentioned Fund the People Website: fundthepeople.orgFund the People – A Podcast with Rusty Stahl: subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or visit the show webpage to stream episodes, get transcripts, speaker bios, and links to resourcesState of Nonprofits 2024: view the report by the Center for Effective PhilanthropyHow Foundations are Supporting Grantee Staff Well-Being: view the research snapshot by Center for Effective PhilanthropyBlog Post (in response to Center for Effective Philanthropy research): To Ensure Nonprofit Wellbeing, Invest in Wages, Workload, and Working ConditionsThe Guru on Burnout Podcast Episode: Interview with Dr. Christina Maslach HEREQuotes “Burnout is the visible symptom of an invisible problem: the chronic deficit of investment in our workforce.” – Rusty Stahl“Nonprofits are not social change machines; they are composed of people, and funding must reflect that.” – Rusty Stahl Call to Action Subscribe to the Embodying Change podcast for more insightful conversations.Visit fundthepeople.org to explore resources and learn how to support nonprofit staff effectively.