Reimagining Nonprofits and Philanthropy: Unlocking the Full Potential of a Vital and Complex Sector

“As a fellow author and nonprofit truth-teller, I hollered, laughed, and nodded through every page of Reimagining Nonprofit and Philanthropy. Vu Le has done something most folks don’t have the guts to do―tell the whole truth about the sector with humor, clarity, and a sharp eye for what’s broken and what’s possible. This book is a balm and a blueprint for every weary changemaker who’s ever tried to fix systems while running on fumes. It’s funny, it’s fiery, and it’s filled with the kind of hard-won wisdom you only get from someone who’s been in the trenches and kept their heart intact.

Vu reminds us that being busy isn’t the badge of honor we think it is, and that our sector’s addiction to hustle, martyrdom, and perfectionism is costing us real change. This book isn’t just an invitation to dream―it’s a dare to do things differently. Whether you’re a funder, nonprofit leader, or just someone who cares deeply about justice, this is required reading. Grab your snacks, your sticky notes, and your courage―because Vu is taking us all the way there.”
―Kishshana Palmer, podcaster, trainer, advisor, keynote speaker, and author of Busy is a Four Letter Word: A Guide to Achieving More by Doing Less

“A transformative read. It redefines leadership, fundraising, and the very purpose of philanthropy.”
― Philip Li, President & CEO, Robert Sterling Clark Foundation

“What would it be like to have a friendly, smart and funny unicorn come over and sit next to you and chat for a couple of hours about your life working in nonprofits? Vu Le is that unicorn and his book is full of fun and extremely on-target, pointed essays on grantwriting, budgets, burning bridges and more.”
―Jan Masaoka, Co-Chair, Philanthropy Project

“If you’ve ever felt disillusioned by the nonprofit world, this book will reignite your fire―and give you tools to make real change.”
―Vanessa Daniel, author of Unrig the Game: What Women of Color Can Teach Everyone About Winning

“Reimagining Nonprofits and Philanthropy by Vu Le provides a vision of what is possible even though the problems facing these sectors seem intractable. Bold, honest, and instructive, this book is essential reading in the current political climate where institutions are incentivized to be risk averse and unimaginative.”
―Alice Wong, author of Year of the Tiger: An Activist’s Life

“Reimagining Nonprofits and Philanthropy delivers a bold, powerful vision for transforming a vital sector―and compelling, relatable stories that bring these ideas to life. Vu Le is a trusted voice and a gifted storyteller, who writes about complex challenges in a way that is accessible and urgent. This book is essential reading, arriving at a pivotal moment when we need nonprofits and philanthropy operating at their best to meet the challenges of our times and build a more just future.”
―Dimple Abichandani, author of A New Era of Philanthropy: Ten Practices to Transform Wealth into a More Just and Sustainable Future–How we Fund in Times of Crisis and Opportunity

“Vu Le’s Reimagining Nonprofit and Philanthropy: Unlocking the Full Potential of a Vital and Complex Sector demands a radical shift in how philanthropy shows up for communities facing injustice. He urges leaders to be fearless in their asks and funders to respond with the fierce urgency and abundance this moment requires. This is how we can use money as medicine.”
―Edgar Villanueva, author of Decolonizing Wealth: Indigenous Wisdom to Heal Divides and Restore Balance, founder and CEO of the Decolonizing Wealth Project and Liberated Capital

“Whether you have been in nonprofit for a day, a decade or a lifetime, this will push your thinking, offer new solutions, and remind you why we all love this hard work we do.”
―Jane Leu, founder and board member of Smarter Good, co-author of Unicorns Unite: How Nonprofits and Foundations Can Build EPIC Partnership

“Vu Le is handing us the blueprint for change in this masterful book. Using insights from real organizations and stories that cut through to our shared values, this book is instructing all of us to do better. A useful map forward for those who are new to the sector and those who need a refresher course in what it really means to disrupt for progressive change.”
―Amber Hamilton, President and CEO, Memphis Music Initiative

“To those hoarding wealth and power, Vu Le is Mojo Jojo – a villain relentlessly repeating the obvious: “Invest in community-led solutions! General operating, multi-year funding NOW!” But to those of us in the nonprofit sector, Vu is our rainbow-hued, values-driven Care Bear, radiating justice, joy, and hummus-fueled truth. Through sharp wit and deep conviction, he reminds us of the “WHY” in our work, especially when it’s hard. There is no doubt that our nonprofit sector is stronger and more equitable because he has the audacity to use his voice. Buy the book and join our fight! (But seriously, he needs more hummus)”
―Nonoko Sato, President & CEO, Minnesota Council of Nonprofits

“With his signature blend of sharp analysis and irreverent humor, delivers the wake-up call our sector desperately needs, challenging us to shed outdated practices and embrace the audacious vision required to create real change. This isn’t just another nonprofit how-to book―it’s a revolutionary roadmap for transforming our sector into the resilient justice-driven force it was meant to be “
―Beth Kanter, Speaker, Trainer, and Author, The Smart Nonprofit: Staying Human-Centered in an Automated World

“Vu Le, the ultimate nonprofit nerd and a true visionary, brings his trademark heart, authenticity, and laugh-out-loud humor to his new book, making it an essential read for anyone navigating the nonprofit world.”
―Kevin Dean, President & CEO, Tennessee Nonprofit Network

“A book that says what so many of us have been thinking. Bold, brilliant, hilarious and unapologetically honest”
―Nichole June Maher, President & CEO, Inatai Foundation

“With wit, sharp cultural references, and a healthy dose of tough love, Reimagining Nonprofits and Philanthropy: Unlocking the Full Potential of a Vital and Complex Sector offers both strategic insight and a timely call to action. Vu Le’s manifesto stitches together years of wisdom from Nonprofit AF with progressive, equity-centered practices, challenging the sector to finally get our ish together. Equal parts analysis and rallying cry, this book invites nonprofit professionals to reimagine our work as a path toward collective liberation ― all while keeping our humanity and humor intact.”
―Carly Hare (Pawnee/Yankton) philathroelder, equity auntie, and CEO at Headwaters Foundation

“For the many fans of Vu Le’s blog Nonprofit AF, we finally have his witty and searing observations in binge-able form. Reimagining Nonprofits and Philanthropy demonstrates how much the nonprofit sector needs Vu’s voice, especially during these turbulent times. He has proven to be our inspirational coach, nonprofit therapist, industry Greek chorus, all-seeing court jester, and the kid who yells that the emperor is (gasp) naked. He is asking us to raise our standards so let us buy this book in bulk and at full price, read it in community, hold each other accountable to changing at least three behaviors, and buy him massage sessions. He’s given us a blueprint, so let the man rest: It’s our collective turn now to do more and better.”
―Angie Kim, President & CEO, Center for Cultural Innovation

“This book masterfully examines the philanthropic sector and offers lived and learned lessons on how we can reshape not only the sector, but an equitable world. It is a must-read for the sector, which is in transition.”
―Monique Curry-Mims, MBA, MSEd, CAP®, Founder, Civic Capital Consulting and Co-Host of Beyond Philanthropy

“Irrepressibly charming and searingly honest, Vu Le’s comprehensive look at the nonprofit sector is a critical addition to the study of what goes right – and what could be done better – in the world of philanthropy. His love and passion for the people and causes that make up the nonprofit arena is palpable, even as he dispenses solutions to so many of the challenges of the sector. From boards to fundraising, philanthropists to democracy, Le’s book is a must-read for anyone who cares about making our world more beautiful, peaceful, healthy, and just.”
―Maria Kolby-Wolfe, President and CEO, Washington Women’s Foundation

“With love and humor, Vu Le offers us a way forward”
―Crystal Hayling, Philanthropy Guide and Mentor

“You know that kid in the Emperor’s Clothes – the one who shouts, “He’s naked!”? In the nonprofit sector, that truth-teller is Vu Le, calling BS on the sacred cows that make nonprofit work so frustrating. Aiming his trademark wit, passion, and insight at the systems that keep changemakers stuck, Vu shows a path to what is possible. Whether you work in a nonprofit, a foundation, or you provide capacity building, you owe it to your community to read every word of this book and put it to work.”
―Hildy Gottlieb, co-founder, Creating the Future

“Vu has penned a blueprint for funders that is as practical as it is irreverent, as fiery as it is funny, and as critical as a parachute when we’ve fallen off a cliff. Which we have. In a time where nonsense and misinformation reigns supreme, Vu gives us the opposite: sense, clarity, and a vision for how to turn falling into flying.”
―Pia Infante, Co-Executive Director, Trust-Based Philanthropy Project

Nonprofits do critical work, but are exposed to a host of issues, including lack of funding, society’s unrealistic expectations, an inferiority complex with the corporate sector, a martyrdom complex, risk-aversion, and a suppression of imagination. Over time, these issues and philosophies have become entrenched in nonprofit and philanthropic leaders, crystallizing into what we see now: A sector that does important work, but that fails to live up to its full potential.

Unflinchingly challenging existing long-held beliefs and practices across a variety of issues, Reimagining Nonprofits and Philanthropy: Unlocking the Full Potential of a Vital and Complex Sector clearly and comprehensively lays out the problems the nonprofit sector faces and provides actionable solutions that can easily be put into practice as soon as today.

Topics explored include:

• The myth of sustainability, psychological issues including scarcity and learned helplessness, and the conscience-laundering of inequity
• Problems with traditional board structure and ways to reimagine governance through evolutionary and minimally viable boards
• Advocacy measures such as electing progressive women of color, protecting voting rights, and changing tax laws
• Barriers holding the sector back including resistance to change, childhood trauma, and toxic intellectualizing

In a field that loves being very academic and dense with data and statistics, this book instead relies on stories, metaphors, references, and humor to drive points home and make the text enjoyable and engaging for readers. Drawing on author Vu Le’s 20+ years of experience in the non-profit sector, including as an executive director for 13 years, this book also features exclusive interviews and case studies with top leaders and organizations in the field.

Reimagining Nonprofits and Philanthropy earns a well-deserved spot on the bookshelves of all nonprofit employees and leaders seeking to reshape their thinking and boldly forge a new path forward for their organizations.