Keep Authentic Passion Fresh in Your Nonprofit
- Tom Iselin
- Mar 20, 2021
- 3 min read
Updated: Dec 11, 2025
This blog and video covers the tactic of "reminding" people of the authentic passion principle they worked so hard to establish.
Keep Authentic Passion Fresh in Your Nonprofit
Today, we continue our series on authentic passion—the driving force behind every thriving, high-performing nonprofit. You’ve done the work to define your mission, clarify your purpose, and build a culture of engagement. But here’s the challenge:
People forget.
If you want authentic passion to stay alive and active in your organization, you must continually bring it back to the forefront of people’s minds and hearts. Today’s tactic is simple but transformative: regular reminders.
Why People Forget (and Why It Matters)
Let’s start with a few questions:
How many of your board members can clearly explain your vision?
How many can articulate a convincing case for support?
How many of your staff or volunteers can recite your mission and core values?
If your answer is “not many,” you’re not alone.
The truth is:
People learn… then forget.
Most of us struggle to remember anniversaries, dentist appointments, and grocery lists—let alone the details of workplace materials or nonprofit statements.
And if people forget your mission, your core values, your vision, or the culture you’re trying to build…they can’t live them.They can’t model them.They can’t act on them.
This is where authentic passion slowly begins to fade.
Keep Authentic Passion Fresh
(Front and Center)
You don’t need a big event, campaign, or presentation to keep passion fresh.You simply need consistency.
Here’s how:
1. Add Intentional Reminders to Regular Meetings
Ask a staff member to recite the mission at the start of monthly staff meetings.
Include a core value at the top of each board agenda—written by your ED or board chair.
Have your volunteer coordinator explain the vision at volunteer orientations or trainings.
2. Integrate Culture Discussions Into Strategic Planning
At your next strategic planning session, add a short topic like:
“How well are we living the culture we claim to champion?”
“Where do we see authentic passion thriving? Where is it fading?”
These conversations sharpen alignment and refresh purpose.
3. Keep It Natural, Not Formal
No need for theatrics.No need for speeches or ceremonies.Just small, consistent reminders baked into your organization’s normal rhythms.
Why This Works
When people repeatedly hear, see, and speak your mission, vision, purpose, and culture:
They internalize them
They align their decisions with them
They check their actions against them
They reinforce them with others
Authentic passion becomes a living force rather than a dusty poster on a wall.
You will know it’s working when you start hearing questions like:
“Will this new program align with our vision?”
“What extra responsibilities can I take on to help with fundraising?”
“Will this therapist help us fulfill our mission more effectively?”
When team members begin naturally filtering decisions through your mission and vision…you’re winning.
That's authentic passion.That’s a culture doing something.
Key Takeaways
People naturally forget mission-driven principles unless reminded.
Regular, simple reminders keep authentic passion alive and active.
Integrate mission, vision, and values into everyday routines.
Use meetings, agendas, trainings, and strategic sessions to reinforce culture.
You’ll know the culture is thriving when people start aligning their decisions and actions with your mission—unprompted.
Keep Authentic Passion Fresh
Summary
Authentic passion doesn’t stay vibrant on its own—it must be continually fed through reminders, conversations, and daily practice. By intentionally and consistently bringing mission, vision, purpose, and culture into your organization’s routines, you prevent passion from fading and instead strengthen engagement at every level. When your board, staff, and volunteers begin asking mission-driven questions on their own, that’s your sign: authentic passion is alive and well.
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!
Board Retreats and Strategic Planning Services:
858.888.2278
