@SecondGrace.LA
@secondgracela.bsky.social
SecondGrace is a community of people committed to ending homelessness in LA County. Join us https://secondgrace.la/
This week: The evidence for trust-based funding.
MacKenzie Scott gave $19.2B unrestricted
→ 93% mission success, 2% problems
Ford Foundation BUILD gave 5-year operating support
→ 83% more financially resilient
Full article: buff.ly/6u6GnEh
#TrustBasedPhilanthropy #SystemicChange
MacKenzie Scott gave $19.2B unrestricted
→ 93% mission success, 2% problems
Ford Foundation BUILD gave 5-year operating support
→ 83% more financially resilient
Full article: buff.ly/6u6GnEh
#TrustBasedPhilanthropy #SystemicChange
The Revolution Will Not Be Funded | Part 4: When Funders Actually Trust Nonprofits, Organizations Get Stronger
from Letters to the Housed by Paul Asplund of SecondGrace.LA
buff.ly
December 5, 2025 at 10:00 PM
This week: The evidence for trust-based funding.
MacKenzie Scott gave $19.2B unrestricted
→ 93% mission success, 2% problems
Ford Foundation BUILD gave 5-year operating support
→ 83% more financially resilient
Full article: buff.ly/6u6GnEh
#TrustBasedPhilanthropy #SystemicChange
MacKenzie Scott gave $19.2B unrestricted
→ 93% mission success, 2% problems
Ford Foundation BUILD gave 5-year operating support
→ 83% more financially resilient
Full article: buff.ly/6u6GnEh
#TrustBasedPhilanthropy #SystemicChange
Ford Foundation's BUILD initiative: 5-year unrestricted grants to 300+ organizations.
Result? 83% became more financially resilient. 94% strengthened their financial situation.
Trust-based funding isn't just for elite institutions. It works everywhere.
buff.ly/WOJrZXG
Result? 83% became more financially resilient. 94% strengthened their financial situation.
Trust-based funding isn't just for elite institutions. It works everywhere.
buff.ly/WOJrZXG
December 3, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Ford Foundation's BUILD initiative: 5-year unrestricted grants to 300+ organizations.
Result? 83% became more financially resilient. 94% strengthened their financial situation.
Trust-based funding isn't just for elite institutions. It works everywhere.
buff.ly/WOJrZXG
Result? 83% became more financially resilient. 94% strengthened their financial situation.
Trust-based funding isn't just for elite institutions. It works everywhere.
buff.ly/WOJrZXG
98% success rate. That's what happens when funders trust nonprofits with unrestricted funding. MacKenzie Scott: $19.2B, zero restrictions. Result: 93% strengthened mission, only 2% had problems.
So why do 60% of funders still refuse? The barrier is power, not evidence.
So why do 60% of funders still refuse? The barrier is power, not evidence.
The Revolution Will Not Be Funded | Part 4: When Funders Actually Trust Nonprofits, Organizations Get Stronger
from Letters to the Housed by Paul Asplund of SecondGrace.LA
buff.ly
December 3, 2025 at 12:00 AM
98% success rate. That's what happens when funders trust nonprofits with unrestricted funding. MacKenzie Scott: $19.2B, zero restrictions. Result: 93% strengthened mission, only 2% had problems.
So why do 60% of funders still refuse? The barrier is power, not evidence.
So why do 60% of funders still refuse? The barrier is power, not evidence.
Never has it been more apparent: WE are the ones who can end homelessness. Not the feds. Not the state. Us. @secondgrace.la is building the citizen-led response our neighbors deserve. Every Tuesday, we show what’s possible.
Will you join us? gofund.me/785801697 #GivingTuesday #SystemicChange
Will you join us? gofund.me/785801697 #GivingTuesday #SystemicChange
Donate to Help End Homelessness with Second Grace LA!, organized by Paul Asplund
Friends,
You've read about the fires, the immigration sweeps, the defundi… Paul Asplund needs your support for Help End Homelessness with Second Grace LA!
gofund.me
December 2, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Never has it been more apparent: WE are the ones who can end homelessness. Not the feds. Not the state. Us. @secondgrace.la is building the citizen-led response our neighbors deserve. Every Tuesday, we show what’s possible.
Will you join us? gofund.me/785801697 #GivingTuesday #SystemicChange
Will you join us? gofund.me/785801697 #GivingTuesday #SystemicChange
Federal housing dollars are disappearing. Punitive shelters replace permanent housing. Our most vulnerable neighbors face unprecedented challenges. Three years ago, I never imagined the need would be this great. But we’re still here.
gofund.me/785801697
#GivingTuesday #RadicalHospitality
gofund.me/785801697
#GivingTuesday #RadicalHospitality
Donate to Help End Homelessness with Second Grace LA!, organized by Paul Asplund
Friends,
You've read about the fires, the immigration sweeps, the defundi… Paul Asplund needs your support for Help End Homelessness with Second Grace LA!
gofund.me
December 2, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Federal housing dollars are disappearing. Punitive shelters replace permanent housing. Our most vulnerable neighbors face unprecedented challenges. Three years ago, I never imagined the need would be this great. But we’re still here.
gofund.me/785801697
#GivingTuesday #RadicalHospitality
gofund.me/785801697
#GivingTuesday #RadicalHospitality
Giving Tuesday. 2025 has been brutal—fires, sweeps, benefit cuts. 60K+ more neighbors will fall into homelessness this year. Housing First is being defunded. We’re the only online community building a citizen-led response.
gofund.me/785801697
#GivingTuesday #EndHomelessness #CommunityAction
gofund.me/785801697
#GivingTuesday #EndHomelessness #CommunityAction
Donate to Help End Homelessness with Second Grace LA!, organized by Paul Asplund
Friends,
You've read about the fires, the immigration sweeps, the defundi… Paul Asplund needs your support for Help End Homelessness with Second Grace LA!
gofund.me
December 2, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Giving Tuesday. 2025 has been brutal—fires, sweeps, benefit cuts. 60K+ more neighbors will fall into homelessness this year. Housing First is being defunded. We’re the only online community building a citizen-led response.
gofund.me/785801697
#GivingTuesday #EndHomelessness #CommunityAction
gofund.me/785801697
#GivingTuesday #EndHomelessness #CommunityAction
What would have saved Lava Mae?
Multi-year unrestricted funding. Infrastructure investment. Overhead rates matching reality. Sabbatical funding for leaders.
Instead: praise + starvation = collapse.
Part 3: When great ideas die from exhaustion.
buff.ly/JC48MOR
#NonprofitBurnout #SystemicChange
Multi-year unrestricted funding. Infrastructure investment. Overhead rates matching reality. Sabbatical funding for leaders.
Instead: praise + starvation = collapse.
Part 3: When great ideas die from exhaustion.
buff.ly/JC48MOR
#NonprofitBurnout #SystemicChange
November 26, 2025 at 12:45 AM
What would have saved Lava Mae?
Multi-year unrestricted funding. Infrastructure investment. Overhead rates matching reality. Sabbatical funding for leaders.
Instead: praise + starvation = collapse.
Part 3: When great ideas die from exhaustion.
buff.ly/JC48MOR
#NonprofitBurnout #SystemicChange
Multi-year unrestricted funding. Infrastructure investment. Overhead rates matching reality. Sabbatical funding for leaders.
Instead: praise + starvation = collapse.
Part 3: When great ideas die from exhaustion.
buff.ly/JC48MOR
#NonprofitBurnout #SystemicChange
Foundation funders loved our innovation.
Then they moved to the next shiny project.
We pioneered "Radical Hospitality." Inspired a global movement. Changed how the world thinks about mobile hygiene services.
But sustainability isn't measurable in 18-month grant cycles.
Then they moved to the next shiny project.
We pioneered "Radical Hospitality." Inspired a global movement. Changed how the world thinks about mobile hygiene services.
But sustainability isn't measurable in 18-month grant cycles.
November 26, 2025 at 12:30 AM
Foundation funders loved our innovation.
Then they moved to the next shiny project.
We pioneered "Radical Hospitality." Inspired a global movement. Changed how the world thinks about mobile hygiene services.
But sustainability isn't measurable in 18-month grant cycles.
Then they moved to the next shiny project.
We pioneered "Radical Hospitality." Inspired a global movement. Changed how the world thinks about mobile hygiene services.
But sustainability isn't measurable in 18-month grant cycles.
Lava Mae made a choice: avoid government contracts.
Why?
• 25% get ZERO overhead reimbursement
• 45% paid 6-9 months late
• 44% face mid-stream contract changes
• 72% say requirements are "time-consuming"
We avoided slow death. Got quick death instead.
Why?
• 25% get ZERO overhead reimbursement
• 45% paid 6-9 months late
• 44% face mid-stream contract changes
• 72% say requirements are "time-consuming"
We avoided slow death. Got quick death instead.
November 26, 2025 at 12:15 AM
Lava Mae made a choice: avoid government contracts.
Why?
• 25% get ZERO overhead reimbursement
• 45% paid 6-9 months late
• 44% face mid-stream contract changes
• 72% say requirements are "time-consuming"
We avoided slow death. Got quick death instead.
Why?
• 25% get ZERO overhead reimbursement
• 45% paid 6-9 months late
• 44% face mid-stream contract changes
• 72% say requirements are "time-consuming"
We avoided slow death. Got quick death instead.
I was there when Lava Mae died.
Not from failure—from exhaustion.
30K people served. 80+ orgs inspired worldwide. $1M grant received.
Then the founder said: "I'm working 100-hour weeks... I'm exhausted."
We killed another visionary through systematic underfunding.
buff.ly/JC48MOR
Not from failure—from exhaustion.
30K people served. 80+ orgs inspired worldwide. $1M grant received.
Then the founder said: "I'm working 100-hour weeks... I'm exhausted."
We killed another visionary through systematic underfunding.
buff.ly/JC48MOR
November 26, 2025 at 12:00 AM
I was there when Lava Mae died.
Not from failure—from exhaustion.
30K people served. 80+ orgs inspired worldwide. $1M grant received.
Then the founder said: "I'm working 100-hour weeks... I'm exhausted."
We killed another visionary through systematic underfunding.
buff.ly/JC48MOR
Not from failure—from exhaustion.
30K people served. 80+ orgs inspired worldwide. $1M grant received.
Then the founder said: "I'm working 100-hour weeks... I'm exhausted."
We killed another visionary through systematic underfunding.
buff.ly/JC48MOR
Lava Mae served 30K people, inspired 80+ mobile hygiene services worldwide, received $1M in funding.
Then collapsed from founder exhaustion.
No amount of innovation overcomes systematic underfunding of leadership sustainability.
Part 3: buff.ly/JC48MOR
#NonprofitBurnout #SystemicChange
Then collapsed from founder exhaustion.
No amount of innovation overcomes systematic underfunding of leadership sustainability.
Part 3: buff.ly/JC48MOR
#NonprofitBurnout #SystemicChange
The Revolution Will Not Be Funded | Part 3 of 3
from Letters to the Housed by Paul Asplund of SecondGrace.LA
buff.ly
November 25, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Lava Mae served 30K people, inspired 80+ mobile hygiene services worldwide, received $1M in funding.
Then collapsed from founder exhaustion.
No amount of innovation overcomes systematic underfunding of leadership sustainability.
Part 3: buff.ly/JC48MOR
#NonprofitBurnout #SystemicChange
Then collapsed from founder exhaustion.
No amount of innovation overcomes systematic underfunding of leadership sustainability.
Part 3: buff.ly/JC48MOR
#NonprofitBurnout #SystemicChange
Part 3 drops next week. We showed LA needs 500K units + Olympics urgency. Exposed broken nonprofit funding. Next: Vienna model in depth + LA's actual funding mechanisms to build 10K units by 2028. Theory becomes action.
buff.ly/4YCQkZI
#EndHomelessness #LA2028 #RadicalHospitality
buff.ly/4YCQkZI
#EndHomelessness #LA2028 #RadicalHospitality
November 22, 2025 at 1:56 AM
Part 3 drops next week. We showed LA needs 500K units + Olympics urgency. Exposed broken nonprofit funding. Next: Vienna model in depth + LA's actual funding mechanisms to build 10K units by 2028. Theory becomes action.
buff.ly/4YCQkZI
#EndHomelessness #LA2028 #RadicalHospitality
buff.ly/4YCQkZI
#EndHomelessness #LA2028 #RadicalHospitality
Nonprofit workers: ever choose between honesty and funding? 36% pressured by gov, 30% by donors, 24% by foundations to hide real overhead costs. You're not alone. System's broken. What would you do if funders trusted you?
buff.ly/4YCQkZI
#NonprofitReform #TraumaInformed
buff.ly/4YCQkZI
#NonprofitReform #TraumaInformed
November 21, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Nonprofit workers: ever choose between honesty and funding? 36% pressured by gov, 30% by donors, 24% by foundations to hide real overhead costs. You're not alone. System's broken. What would you do if funders trusted you?
buff.ly/4YCQkZI
#NonprofitReform #TraumaInformed
buff.ly/4YCQkZI
#NonprofitReform #TraumaInformed
This week: who controls homelessness resources? 90% white nonprofit leadership. Black-led orgs underfunded. Overhead myth killed $569M capacity. People closest to problems lack resources to solve them. Part 3 next week: Vienna + LA funding.
buff.ly/4YCQkZI
#EndHomelessness #SystemicChange
buff.ly/4YCQkZI
#EndHomelessness #SystemicChange
November 21, 2025 at 2:02 PM
This week: who controls homelessness resources? 90% white nonprofit leadership. Black-led orgs underfunded. Overhead myth killed $569M capacity. People closest to problems lack resources to solve them. Part 3 next week: Vienna + LA funding.
buff.ly/4YCQkZI
#EndHomelessness #SystemicChange
buff.ly/4YCQkZI
#EndHomelessness #SystemicChange
A Gentle Reminder (Series Finale). Your humanity is not a flaw, but a strength.
May we forgive ourselves for not fixing everything.
May we hold space for heartbreak and hope.
May we never forget: we do this work because we love people.
buff.ly/DmSWvkv
#PracticalGrace #GentleReminder #SeriesFinale
May we forgive ourselves for not fixing everything.
May we hold space for heartbreak and hope.
May we never forget: we do this work because we love people.
buff.ly/DmSWvkv
#PracticalGrace #GentleReminder #SeriesFinale
SecondGrace LA
Finding joy through community | Radical hospitality meets evidence-based hope Paul Asplund shares how spiritual practices sustain service work while building systemic solutions for our unhoused…
youtube.com
November 20, 2025 at 1:49 PM
A Gentle Reminder (Series Finale). Your humanity is not a flaw, but a strength.
May we forgive ourselves for not fixing everything.
May we hold space for heartbreak and hope.
May we never forget: we do this work because we love people.
buff.ly/DmSWvkv
#PracticalGrace #GentleReminder #SeriesFinale
May we forgive ourselves for not fixing everything.
May we hold space for heartbreak and hope.
May we never forget: we do this work because we love people.
buff.ly/DmSWvkv
#PracticalGrace #GentleReminder #SeriesFinale
"As the gay rights movement became reliant on wealthy donors, the goals shifted to what those funders would prioritize. So, why marriage? Because rich people wanted it."
Question: How do we ensure the most impacted communities control resources meant for them?
Read Part 2: buff.ly/4YCQkZI
Question: How do we ensure the most impacted communities control resources meant for them?
Read Part 2: buff.ly/4YCQkZI
November 19, 2025 at 10:00 PM
"As the gay rights movement became reliant on wealthy donors, the goals shifted to what those funders would prioritize. So, why marriage? Because rich people wanted it."
Question: How do we ensure the most impacted communities control resources meant for them?
Read Part 2: buff.ly/4YCQkZI
Question: How do we ensure the most impacted communities control resources meant for them?
Read Part 2: buff.ly/4YCQkZI
The "overhead myth" isn't just inefficient. It's destroying our most effective organizations.
Read Part 2: buff.ly/4YCQkZI
Who should control resources meant to solve problems?
#NonprofitReform #SystemicChange #EquityInAction
Read Part 2: buff.ly/4YCQkZI
Who should control resources meant to solve problems?
#NonprofitReform #SystemicChange #EquityInAction
November 19, 2025 at 8:45 PM
The "overhead myth" isn't just inefficient. It's destroying our most effective organizations.
Read Part 2: buff.ly/4YCQkZI
Who should control resources meant to solve problems?
#NonprofitReform #SystemicChange #EquityInAction
Read Part 2: buff.ly/4YCQkZI
Who should control resources meant to solve problems?
#NonprofitReform #SystemicChange #EquityInAction
Dan Pallotta raised $569M for HIV/AIDS and breast cancer. Press found 40% overhead. Sponsors pulled out.
Most successful charity events in history—eliminated over an arbitrary ratio no one links to effectiveness.
Most successful charity events in history—eliminated over an arbitrary ratio no one links to effectiveness.
November 19, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Dan Pallotta raised $569M for HIV/AIDS and breast cancer. Press found 40% overhead. Sponsors pulled out.
Most successful charity events in history—eliminated over an arbitrary ratio no one links to effectiveness.
Most successful charity events in history—eliminated over an arbitrary ratio no one links to effectiveness.
The numbers:
• 90% of major nonprofit boards: white leadership
• Black-led orgs: 76% smaller assets
• Funders allow 10-15% overhead
• For-profits average 25%
"Every hour managing your restrictions is an hour not spent on mission."
• 90% of major nonprofit boards: white leadership
• Black-led orgs: 76% smaller assets
• Funders allow 10-15% overhead
• For-profits average 25%
"Every hour managing your restrictions is an hour not spent on mission."
November 19, 2025 at 8:15 PM
The numbers:
• 90% of major nonprofit boards: white leadership
• Black-led orgs: 76% smaller assets
• Funders allow 10-15% overhead
• For-profits average 25%
"Every hour managing your restrictions is an hour not spent on mission."
• 90% of major nonprofit boards: white leadership
• Black-led orgs: 76% smaller assets
• Funders allow 10-15% overhead
• For-profits average 25%
"Every hour managing your restrictions is an hour not spent on mission."
"All of us forced to the margins harbor the best solutions."
But those solutions remain unfunded because people with the least connection to problems control the resources.
But those solutions remain unfunded because people with the least connection to problems control the resources.
November 19, 2025 at 8:00 PM
"All of us forced to the margins harbor the best solutions."
But those solutions remain unfunded because people with the least connection to problems control the resources.
But those solutions remain unfunded because people with the least connection to problems control the resources.
9.5 out of 10 philanthropic organizations are led by white people.
Black-led nonprofits have 76% smaller unrestricted net assets.
Every nonprofit spends hours managing funder restrictions instead of serving people.
Part 2: Who gets to decide which solutions receive funding?
buff.ly/4YCQkZI
Black-led nonprofits have 76% smaller unrestricted net assets.
Every nonprofit spends hours managing funder restrictions instead of serving people.
Part 2: Who gets to decide which solutions receive funding?
buff.ly/4YCQkZI
The Revolution Will Not Be Funded | Part 2 of 3
from Letters to the Housed by Paul Asplund of SecondGrace.LA
secondgracela.substack.com
November 19, 2025 at 2:31 PM
9.5 out of 10 philanthropic organizations are led by white people.
Black-led nonprofits have 76% smaller unrestricted net assets.
Every nonprofit spends hours managing funder restrictions instead of serving people.
Part 2: Who gets to decide which solutions receive funding?
buff.ly/4YCQkZI
Black-led nonprofits have 76% smaller unrestricted net assets.
Every nonprofit spends hours managing funder restrictions instead of serving people.
Part 2: Who gets to decide which solutions receive funding?
buff.ly/4YCQkZI
This week on mission drift: Your responses reminded me why this work matters. So many leaders navigating the impossible bargain—grow big enough to get resources, watch those resources warp everything.
Next week: how funders fund their own kind through proximity, not malice.
buff.ly/fU6FUf6
Next week: how funders fund their own kind through proximity, not malice.
buff.ly/fU6FUf6
November 15, 2025 at 10:30 PM
This week on mission drift: Your responses reminded me why this work matters. So many leaders navigating the impossible bargain—grow big enough to get resources, watch those resources warp everything.
Next week: how funders fund their own kind through proximity, not malice.
buff.ly/fU6FUf6
Next week: how funders fund their own kind through proximity, not malice.
buff.ly/fU6FUf6
This week's reflection: INCITE! was offered $100K by Ford Foundation, then it was rescinded for supporting Palestinian liberation. Certain politics are fundable. Others aren't. Funders decide which is which. We're building accountability to community, not funders.
buff.ly/fU6FUf6
#MissionFirst
buff.ly/fU6FUf6
#MissionFirst
The Revolution Will Not Be Funded | Part 1 of 3
from Letters to the Housed by Paul Asplund of SecondGrace.LA
buff.ly
November 14, 2025 at 6:03 PM
This week's reflection: INCITE! was offered $100K by Ford Foundation, then it was rescinded for supporting Palestinian liberation. Certain politics are fundable. Others aren't. Funders decide which is which. We're building accountability to community, not funders.
buff.ly/fU6FUf6
#MissionFirst
buff.ly/fU6FUf6
#MissionFirst
EPISODE 7 now available!
When the Work Becomes Too Much. Taking care of yourself ≠ giving up on the work.
It's preparing to do the work for as long as it takes. Warning signs it's time to step back + give yourself grace.
buff.ly/5GofV0P
#PracticalGrace #BurnoutWarning #RestIsNotQuitting
When the Work Becomes Too Much. Taking care of yourself ≠ giving up on the work.
It's preparing to do the work for as long as it takes. Warning signs it's time to step back + give yourself grace.
buff.ly/5GofV0P
#PracticalGrace #BurnoutWarning #RestIsNotQuitting
7. Practical Grace: When the Work Becomes Too Much by Paul Asplund of Second Grace LA
When the Work Becomes Too Much | Practical Grace Ep. 7
Taking care of yourself is not giving up on the work.
Episode 7 of Practical Grace: If you're on the edge of burnout, please know that taking…
buff.ly
November 13, 2025 at 2:01 PM
EPISODE 7 now available!
When the Work Becomes Too Much. Taking care of yourself ≠ giving up on the work.
It's preparing to do the work for as long as it takes. Warning signs it's time to step back + give yourself grace.
buff.ly/5GofV0P
#PracticalGrace #BurnoutWarning #RestIsNotQuitting
When the Work Becomes Too Much. Taking care of yourself ≠ giving up on the work.
It's preparing to do the work for as long as it takes. Warning signs it's time to step back + give yourself grace.
buff.ly/5GofV0P
#PracticalGrace #BurnoutWarning #RestIsNotQuitting
Philanthropy sits on $800 billion in assets. Only 7-8% goes to communities of color—meaning communities are "stolen from twice." And funders with the least connection to problems control resources meant to solve them. This is the nonprofit industrial complex.
buff.ly/fU6FUf6
#NonprofitReform
buff.ly/fU6FUf6
#NonprofitReform
The Revolution Will Not Be Funded | Part 1 of 3
from Letters to the Housed by Paul Asplund of SecondGrace.LA
open.substack.com
November 12, 2025 at 10:33 PM
Philanthropy sits on $800 billion in assets. Only 7-8% goes to communities of color—meaning communities are "stolen from twice." And funders with the least connection to problems control resources meant to solve them. This is the nonprofit industrial complex.
buff.ly/fU6FUf6
#NonprofitReform
buff.ly/fU6FUf6
#NonprofitReform