When Your Nonprofit Hits an Avalanche Wash (experiences a disaster)

Tom Iselin
Jul 16, 2015
3 min read

Updated: Dec 13, 2025

Hey, bad things happen at nonprofits. So when the avalanche of disaster strikes, it may be a surprise, but if you're strong, you'll survive and may even find that some good comes of it.

When Your Nonprofit Hits an Avalanche Wash (experiences a disaster)

Imagine your standing outside, next to an avalanche wash: Deadfall everywhere. Broken trees. Uprooted trunks. What used to be a healthy forest looks like absolute destruction.

That’s what it can feel like when a nonprofit gets hit—hard.

And at some point, every nonprofit does.

The Inevitable Avalanche Moments

Sometimes your organization experiences an avalanche wash.

You lose a major donor
Your executive director quits unexpectedly
Someone steals money
You get bad press
A key program collapses
Trust gets shaken

None of this means you failed.It means you’re operating in the real world.

Stuff happens.

And when it does, it can feel overwhelming—like the ground has been ripped out from under you.

What Avalanche Wash Really Looks Like

In nature, an avalanche doesn’t just knock down a few trees.

It:

Breaks branches
Uproots mature trees
Leaves chaos in its wake
Makes the landscape look ruined

In nonprofits, the same thing happens—just emotionally and organizationally.

There’s confusion.Anger.Fear.Exhaustion.

And the temptation is to freeze… or quit.

The Part Most People Forget

Here’s what’s easy to miss when you’re standing in the wreckage:

Avalanche wash eventually becomes fertile soil.

All that deadfall?

Breaks down
Decomposes
Enriches the ground

Over time, it becomes the foundation for new growth.

Stronger growth.Healthier growth.More resilient growth.

But only if you stay in the game.

What Matters in the Aftermath

When your nonprofit hits one of these moments, your job is simple—but not easy.

Dig in
Stay grounded
Keep moving forward

Don’t panic.Don’t overreact.Don’t abandon the mission.

You deal with what’s in front of you—one step at a time.

Leadership Is Tested in the Wash

Anyone can lead when things are going well.

Leadership shows up when:

Donors walk away
Staff turns over
Trust needs rebuilding
The story isn’t flattering

This is where resilience matters more than brilliance.

This is where steady leadership beats clever strategy.

What Comes Next

Time will pass.

The mess will settle.The noise will fade.Lessons will emerge.

And slowly—often quietly—new growth will take hold.

Stronger systems.Clearer values.Better people.Deeper alignment.

You won’t just survive.You’ll be better for it.

Key Takeaways

Every nonprofit experiences setbacks
Crisis does not equal failure
Deadfall eventually becomes fertile ground
Progress comes from persistence, not panic
Staying the course is leadership

Summary

If your nonprofit experience disaster and is standing in an avalanche wash right now, take a breath.

You’re not broken.You’re not alone.And you’re not finished.

Dig in.Keep moving.Trust the process.

Because with time, what looks like destruction today often becomes the soil that supports your next season of growth.

Tom Iselin

Rated One of America’s Best Board Retreat

and Strategic Planning Facilitators

About the Author

Tom Iselin is recognized as one of America’s leading authorities on high-performance nonprofits. He has built nine sector-leading nonprofits and two software companies, written six books, sits on multiple boards, and has been rated one of America’s Best Board Retreat and Strategic Planning Facilitators. His work on nonprofit strategy, board leadership, and culture has been featured on CNN, Nightline, and in Newsweek.

Tom is the president of First Things First, a firm specializing in board retreats, strategic planning services, fundraising strategy, and executive coaching for nonprofit CEOs.

Board Retreats & Strategic Planning

If you’re looking for a board retreat facilitator or strategic planning facilitator who has been in the trenches and understands real-world nonprofit challenges, Tom can help your board gain clarity, build alignment, and create an actionable plan that improves performance and impact. His sessions propel organizations to the next level of performance and impact . . . and they're fun!

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