Permission for Nonprofit Fun

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Jessica Macy

Your December Nonprofit Permission Slip for FUN

December in nonprofit land is… a lot. With nearly 30% of all donations happening this month, fundraising goes into turbo mode while program teams juggle reports, client surveys, and a steady stream of “can-you-do-this-before-year-end?” requests. It’s chaos wrapped in holiday lights. Here’s hoping you can still grab a moment of fun in the middle of it.

When everything is “go, go, go,” it becomes harder to notice—or make space for—the tiny moments of joy, fun, and connection that actually keep us grounded. Intentional fun resets our nervous systems, boosts creativity, and reminds us we’re more than deadline-managing, crisis-navigating robots. Even a few minutes of laughter, play, or silliness can shift the energy of an entire day. And when teams have fun together, they communicate better, trust each other more, and actually get more done. Fun keeps us human—and that humanity is one of our greatest strengths in this work.

Think of it like this:

  • Fun resets your nervous system. Even 15 minutes of laughter or silliness can unclench your shoulders and unclog your ideas.
  • Presence clears mental static. You can’t think strategically when your brain is 30 tabs deep.
  • Both are performance enhancers. When you return to work, you make better decisions, communicate more clearly, and stop forgetting where you left your coffee.

As adults, we tend to undervalue fun. We treat it like a reward we’ll get to “someday,” after the emails are answered, the grants are submitted, and the fires are put out. But fun isn’t extra. It’s essential. It helps us think more clearly, connect more deeply, and show up as our best selves.

And here’s the truth: fun requires permission. I have to choose it intentionally and sometimes even schedule it. Ask people I used to work with, we’d joke about mandatory FUN! But for real, we have to intentionally choose fun, create space for it, and remind ourselves that it’s not a distraction—it’s part of how we stay resilient. Fun isn’t extra. It’s essential.

So here is your DECEMBER permission slip for FUN:

Image of Permission slip on a background of a winter scene with people playing in the snow. The text of the permission slip says: Partner for Better officially grants [fill in blank] permission to (check all that apply): Slow down long enough to notice something special about your work Step away from your inbox without guilt Laugh with your team Turn off notifications after 5 pm (gasp!) Say no to "quick calls or conversations" that are never actually quick Do something fun for absolutely no productive reason (you define FUN, no one else!) Say "that's a 2026 problem" Rest without apologizing Watch a ridiculous movie and laugh or cry Eat what you want Drink cocoa, or a beverage of your choice, in peace and quiet Be present for the moments that matter In case of emergency, contact: _____________________ (But please understand their response may be slow, as they should also be having fun during the holidays!) Signed, Partner for Better - Subject Matter Experts

One More Thing…

If you’re reading this thinking, “Yeah, but I can’t because [insert very real, very valid reason],” I get it. December doesn’t slow down just because we need it to. But here’s what I know from years in this work: the mission doesn’t benefit from your exhaustion. There are no badges, trophies, or bonuses for burning out. The mission and work benefit from your clarity, your energy, and your ability to keep showing up, month after month, year after year.

So if you can only check one box on that permission slip, check one. If you can only take 10 minutes to yourself this week, take them. Fun doesn’t have to be a full day off or a fancy vacation (though those are great too, see October’s blog). Sometimes it’s just giving yourself permission to be human in the middle of the hustle. Your organization will survive. Your mission will continue. And you? You’ll be better for it. Now go—have some fun. Use the permission slip, and we’ll see you in 2026.