Wellbeing in Times of Uncertainty & Crisis

A Conversation with Black Fox Global and Dana Preston with The Wellbeing Project

As conference season kicks off, we checked in with our friends at The Wellbeing Project, leaders in catalyzing a movement integrating well-being into social change. With the Skoll World Forum approaching, we explored strategies for making the most of attending convenings and navigating these wildly uncertain times as social change leaders.

BFG: Tell us a little bit about the history and mission of The Wellbeing Project.

TWP: The Wellbeing Project was founded on the belief that the wellbeing of individual changemakers has ripple effects that directly impact the success of social and environmental change movements as a whole. Grounded in this core and proven principle, we are catalyzing a network of social change organizations and changemakers who are re-imagining how wellbeing is fundamental to the success of our collective social change work in benefit of people and the planet.

The growth of our global movement is guided by three core activities – research and storytelling, community building, and the acceleration of local wellbeing initiatives. As the stewards of a movement that is bigger than ourselves, we are building the infrastructure for organizations to drive a sea-change in both how social and environmental change movements are led and implemented – and the ultimate societal impacts they achieve.

BFG: ​What emerging trends have you observed in the impact sector concerning burnout, and how are organizations and leaders holding up?

TWP: 2025 has been an incredibly challenging year for the sector, particularly with the shockwaves of the USAID funding freeze. Other Global North countries have followed suit, signaling what feels like a paradigm shift in development and social change. The abruptness and severity of these decisions have been devastating—leading to loss of life for those reliant on critical health services, mass layoffs of aid workers, and, at best, a deep sense of anxiety, fear, and disillusionment across the sector.

Through our network, which spans 80+ countries, we’re hearing firsthand how hard this moment is. And yet, we’re also seeing something remarkable: the organizations and leaders who have intentionally prioritized wellbeing—both individually and institutionally—are navigating this crisis with greater resilience, care, and open-mindedness. One of our partners in West Africa shared that as soon as the news broke, they convened local nonprofits to create a space for processing, resource-sharing, and mutual support. It was powerful to hear them reflect—not just on the immense harm unfolding—but also on the deeper realization that long-standing dependence on Global North economies and policies was never truly serving their communities. They were holding both the grief and the possibility of something different: a locally driven, self-sustaining vision for development and aid.

We know many of our network members are playing this critical role in their own regions—holding space, fostering resilience, and helping reimagine what’s possible. This moment has only reaffirmed how vital our mission is: to embed wellbeing at the heart of social change, so we are better equipped to navigate crises and, hopefully, not just endure—but thrive.

BFG: How is the TWP team doing? What practices or strategies does your team use to promote organizational wellbeing while responding to the needs of the sector?

TWP:  It’s been a layered and complex time for our team. On one hand, the pull to do more has never been stronger—especially given everything unfolding across the sector. We’re constantly being tested to hold our own boundaries, to resist working ourselves into the ground, so that we can show up fully for our network members and for this movement. At the same time, we’re just three months away from hosting the Global Hearth Summit, a joyful, deeply intentional gathering that celebrates changemaker wellbeing through community and belonging. It’s all hands on deck, and while the workload is intense, we’re also feeling more inspired every day to create something truly meaningful.

To help us navigate these ebbs and flows, our People + Culture team developed a global team map that highlights the busiest periods of the year and the quieter ones—what we call our “blue zones.” These are intentionally lighter stretches where we encourage a slower rhythm, spaciousness, and rest. During these times, TWP also offers contemplative practices for the team, giving us opportunities to pause and recharge. Having this mapped-out cycle has been invaluable—it reminds us that the intense moments are temporary, and a more restful period is always on the horizon.

One of my favorite wellbeing practices is something we do every Monday in our all-team meeting. We close with a reading from one of TWP’s Elders, our in-house poet, who shares a poem with us. These moments of pause, introspection, and reflection are priceless. They remind us why we’re here, ground us in something bigger than our to-do lists, and offer a touchstone of care and presence as we move through the week.

BFG: ​What other successful strategies or programs have you seen organizations implement to promote wellbeing among changemakers, particularly in high-stress roles?​

TWP: It’s been heartening to see more social change organizations investing in the wellbeing of their teams in tangible ways—from sabbatical programs to wellbeing stipends to team retreats centered on care. These aren’t just perks; they’re necessary interventions to sustain people doing high-stakes, deeply demanding work.

One initiative that stood out to me recently was from an organization that invites employees to make a personal wellbeing commitment at the start of each year—something meaningful but doable, like setting clear boundaries around work or prioritizing rest. If they stick to it, they receive a cash bonus at year’s end. The person I spoke with had committed to not checking email over the weekend, and knowing there was an incentive helped her follow through. More than the bonus itself, it was the permission—both personal and organizational—to prioritize wellbeing that made a real difference.

This kind of approach reminds us that wellbeing isn’t a luxury—it’s something that needs to be built into the way we work, lead, and sustain movements over the long haul.

BFG: Conferences can often be overwhelming, especially given the current funding crisis caused by USAID funding cuts. As attendees prepare for the Skoll World Forum, what advice do you have for staying balanced and healthy while also maximizing the opportunities that a gathering like Skoll presents?

TWP: I’ve never been to Skoll before, but I’ve heard how intense and wonderful it is—a space where so many passionate people come together to exchange ideas, challenge assumptions, and spark new collaborations. Based on my experiences at large conferences, I know how easy it is to get swept up in the momentum—to move from one session to the next, from one conversation to another, without a moment to breathe.

One of the things we earnestly try to practice at The Wellbeing Project is presence. The most meaningful moments often happen in the spaces between—the quiet reflection after a thought-provoking session, the unexpected conversation that shifts your perspective, the moments when you allow yourself to simply pause and take it all in.

A few things to keep in mind to stay balanced and present at Skoll:

• Check in with yourself. Stay connected to both yourself and why you’re at the conference in the first place. Are you feeling exhausted? Overwhelmed? You might be better served by skipping a meeting or sitting out a session to make sure you remain grounded, present, and open to meaningful connections.
• Get outside. You’ll likely be indoors for most of the conference, so take short walks whenever you can. A 10–15-minute break outside can help quiet the mind, refresh your energy, and give your body some love. You might even consider suggesting a walking meeting instead of sitting indoors!
• Stay hydrated. Traveling often throws off our usual self-care habits. Bring a reusable water bottle and make it a point to refill it throughout the day. Small habits like this can make a big difference in keeping your energy up.
• Lead with humanity. No matter your position or role, remember that everyone at Skoll is human first. Approach networking with warmth and curiosity, whether you’re meeting someone new or spending time with longtime colleagues. Some of the most valuable moments happen when we drop the formalities and just connect as people.

At The Wellbeing Project, we often say that wellbeing isn’t a luxury—it’s essential.  It’s what allows us to navigate uncertainty, sustain our work, and, ultimately, show up as our fullest selves. My hope is that everyone attending Skoll can find ways—big or small—to take care of themselves while engaging deeply in the conversations that matter most.

BFG: What’s next for The Wellbeing Project and how can the Black Fox community get involved, and support your work?

TWP: We’re at a turning point at The Wellbeing Project as we take the next bold step in mainstreaming wellbeing in the social change sector. For too long, burnout and exhaustion have been seen as inevitable costs of making a difference—we’re working to change that.

In June, we’ll host the Global Hearth Summit in Slovenia, bringing together over 1,200 diverse changemakers to advance a profound and hopeful vision of individual, collective, and planetary wellbeing through art, community, and belonging. This isn’t just another conference—it’s a space to reimagine what’s possible when we center care, connection, and renewal in our work.

How can the Black Fox community support?

• Join us at the Global Hearth Summit—whether in person or by helping bring others to the table. Express your interest in participating here.
• Fund wellbeing as a strategic priority. If you’re a funder, let’s talk about how to integrate wellbeing into your grantmaking and ensure that those driving social change are resourced to sustain their work.
• Spread the word. The more we talk about wellbeing as a fundamental part of impact, the more we shift the narrative and the field itself. Share our work, bring these conversations into your networks, and help us make this movement impossible to ignore.

We know that deep, systemic change happens when movements and funders align. If you’re reading this and it resonates—let’s connect. This is the moment to invest in the people behind the change.

A space designed not just for learning and connection, but for experiencing what a world centered on wellbeing, care, and belonging could look like. The Summit is more than an event—it’s part of a broader shift toward embedding wellbeing into the DNA of the social impact sector.

Beyond that, we’re strengthening regional ecosystems of wellbeing, working with local funders and organizations to ensure that support structures for change-makers exist not just in moments of crisis, but as an ongoing, sustainable reality. Stay connected and updated by signing up to our newsletter here!