Build a Longer Table

The following is a hand-picked guest post from Samantha Swain. Enjoy, and you can read more about Samantha below.

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In times of uncertainty, the most powerful action nonprofits can take isn’t to retreat, it’s to gather.

The Big Idea: Community as Resilience Strategy

The organizations that will thrive in challenging times aren’t those with the most resources, but those that have woven the strongest web of human connection around their purpose. Your most valuable asset isn’t your funding or even your programs – it’s the community that believes in your mission.

When people physically gather around shared purpose, something transforms. Science confirms what we intuitively know: face-to-face connection builds trust, generates empathy, and creates the neural foundation for collective action.

Building Your Longer Table

In a world pulling apart at the seams, building a longer table isn’t just a concept – it’s essential. Every time you bring people together around your mission, you create:

• Sustainable fundraising rooted in relationship rather than transaction
• Deeper volunteer commitment grounded in belonging, not obligation
• Responsive programs shaped by community wisdom
• Authentic advocacy powered by diverse voices

Your Immediate Next Step

This month, host one gathering designed explicitly to extend your organization’s table. Structure it not for efficiency but for connection. Create space for stories that reveal why your mission matters to each person present. Start small like a dinner with your board, a tour with a donor.

Remember: In times of scarcity, we must resist the urge to contract. Instead, build your table so long and so welcoming that people can’t help but be drawn to your work—not just for what you do, but for the community you create.

The most resilient organizations aren’t building higher walls. They’re building longer tables.

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Steven says, “Samantha Swaim has more than 20 years of event planning and fundraising expertise. She is the co-author of Planning a Successful Major Donor Event, is the founder of the annual Elevate fundraising event conference scheduled for March 3-4, 2026 and is the co-host of The Fundraising Elevator podcast – which I recently appeared on: check it out!”