@SecondGrace.LA
@secondgracela.bsky.social
SecondGrace is a community of people committed to ending homelessness in LA County. Join us https://secondgrace.la/
"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
Edgar Villanueva: "All of us forced to the margins harbor the best solutions." But those solutions remain unfunded because funders with least connection to problems control resources. At @SecondGraceLA we're choosing different. What's your experience with mission drift? buff.ly/fU6FUf6
November 12, 2025 at 12:01 AM
Edgar Villanueva: "All of us forced to the margins harbor the best solutions." But those solutions remain unfunded because funders with least connection to problems control resources. At @SecondGraceLA we're choosing different. What's your experience with mission drift? buff.ly/fU6FUf6
What if nonprofit "success" is actually mission failure? New research shows how big funding systematically warps the organizations meant to serve communities. Thread on why growth often means losing your way
buff.ly/fU6FUf6
#EndHomelessness #RadicalHospitality #SystemicChange
buff.ly/fU6FUf6
#EndHomelessness #RadicalHospitality #SystemicChange
The Revolution Will Not Be Funded | Part 1 of 3
from Letters to the Housed by Paul Asplund of SecondGrace.LA
buff.ly
November 12, 2025 at 12:01 AM
What if nonprofit "success" is actually mission failure? New research shows how big funding systematically warps the organizations meant to serve communities. Thread on why growth often means losing your way
buff.ly/fU6FUf6
#EndHomelessness #RadicalHospitality #SystemicChange
buff.ly/fU6FUf6
#EndHomelessness #RadicalHospitality #SystemicChange
The pattern: Passionate team builds something real. Big funders notice. Strings attach. Administrative layer grows. Mission splits. The part you care about is service. The part that takes all your time is administration. Sound familiar? buff.ly/fU6FUf6 #NonprofitLeadership #SocialJustice
November 12, 2025 at 12:01 AM
The pattern: Passionate team builds something real. Big funders notice. Strings attach. Administrative layer grows. Mission splits. The part you care about is service. The part that takes all your time is administration. Sound familiar? buff.ly/fU6FUf6 #NonprofitLeadership #SocialJustice
Sociologists call it "institutional isomorphism"—organizations become more SIMILAR without becoming more EFFICIENT. Funders demand C-suites, quarterly reports, corporate structures. Nonprofits comply. Communities lose the innovation that made the work effective in the first place. buff.ly/fU6FUf6
November 12, 2025 at 12:01 AM
Sociologists call it "institutional isomorphism"—organizations become more SIMILAR without becoming more EFFICIENT. Funders demand C-suites, quarterly reports, corporate structures. Nonprofits comply. Communities lose the innovation that made the work effective in the first place. buff.ly/fU6FUf6
Vienna proves it works. 105 years. 60% of residents. Beautiful housing. We can start that legacy NOW. buff.ly/FEtwlvh
November 7, 2025 at 9:15 PM
Vienna proves it works. 105 years. 60% of residents. Beautiful housing. We can start that legacy NOW. buff.ly/FEtwlvh
Measure ULA: $270M/year → $2.7B leveraged
Palisades fees: $228M potential
Olympic surplus: $700M-$1B
Total: Enough for transformation
buff.ly/FEtwlvh
Palisades fees: $228M potential
Olympic surplus: $700M-$1B
Total: Enough for transformation
buff.ly/FEtwlvh
November 7, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Measure ULA: $270M/year → $2.7B leveraged
Palisades fees: $228M potential
Olympic surplus: $700M-$1B
Total: Enough for transformation
buff.ly/FEtwlvh
Palisades fees: $228M potential
Olympic surplus: $700M-$1B
Total: Enough for transformation
buff.ly/FEtwlvh
Week recap: LA can build 10,000+ permanent homes by Olympics 2028. Not with new taxes. With money that already exists.
buff.ly/FEtwlvh
buff.ly/FEtwlvh
SecondGrace.LA | Second Grace | Substack
SecondGrace is an online community committed to ending homelessness in LA County. Click to read SecondGrace.LA, a Substack publication with thousands of subscribers.
open.substack.com
November 7, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Week recap: LA can build 10,000+ permanent homes by Olympics 2028. Not with new taxes. With money that already exists.
buff.ly/FEtwlvh
buff.ly/FEtwlvh
EPISODE 6 now available: Remember the Small Victories.
Every shower matters.
Every conversation matters.
Every moment of dignity restored matters.
You may not end the crisis today, but you absolutely made someone's day better.
buff.ly/XmGdstx
#PracticalGrace #SmallVictories #BurnoutPrevention
Every shower matters.
Every conversation matters.
Every moment of dignity restored matters.
You may not end the crisis today, but you absolutely made someone's day better.
buff.ly/XmGdstx
#PracticalGrace #SmallVictories #BurnoutPrevention
November 6, 2025 at 1:38 PM
EPISODE 6 now available: Remember the Small Victories.
Every shower matters.
Every conversation matters.
Every moment of dignity restored matters.
You may not end the crisis today, but you absolutely made someone's day better.
buff.ly/XmGdstx
#PracticalGrace #SmallVictories #BurnoutPrevention
Every shower matters.
Every conversation matters.
Every moment of dignity restored matters.
You may not end the crisis today, but you absolutely made someone's day better.
buff.ly/XmGdstx
#PracticalGrace #SmallVictories #BurnoutPrevention
Fun fact: LA has more money per capita for housing than Vienna. We just give it to developers who build luxury units. Time to redirect it toward permanent solutions.
Math here: buff.ly/FEtwlvh
#HousingJustice #SystemicChange
Math here: buff.ly/FEtwlvh
#HousingJustice #SystemicChange
November 5, 2025 at 11:01 PM
Fun fact: LA has more money per capita for housing than Vienna. We just give it to developers who build luxury units. Time to redirect it toward permanent solutions.
Math here: buff.ly/FEtwlvh
#HousingJustice #SystemicChange
Math here: buff.ly/FEtwlvh
#HousingJustice #SystemicChange
November 5, 2025 at 12:45 AM
The math: $270M/year from ULA leverages to $2.7B. That's 10,000+ permanent homes by 2028. Not shelters. Not sweeps. Beautiful, mixed-income housing.
SecondGrace.LA | Second Grace | Substack
SecondGrace is an online community committed to ending homelessness in LA County. Click to read SecondGrace.LA, a Substack publication with thousands of subscribers.
buff.ly
November 5, 2025 at 12:30 AM
The math: $270M/year from ULA leverages to $2.7B. That's 10,000+ permanent homes by 2028. Not shelters. Not sweeps. Beautiful, mixed-income housing.
Vienna houses 60% of residents in beautiful social housing. Started after WWI with less $ than LA has now. We already have $700M+ identified through Measure ULA, Palisades fees & Olympic surplus. buff.ly/33H5B31
November 5, 2025 at 12:15 AM
Vienna houses 60% of residents in beautiful social housing. Started after WWI with less $ than LA has now. We already have $700M+ identified through Measure ULA, Palisades fees & Olympic surplus. buff.ly/33H5B31
Paris "relocated" 12,545 homeless people before their Olympics. Zero permanent housing created. Is this LA's plan for 2028? We have a better way. buff.ly/33H5B31
SecondGrace.LA | Second Grace | Substack
SecondGrace is an online community committed to ending homelessness in LA County. Click to read SecondGrace.LA, a Substack publication with thousands of subscribers.
open.substack.com
November 4, 2025 at 12:00 AM
Paris "relocated" 12,545 homeless people before their Olympics. Zero permanent housing created. Is this LA's plan for 2028? We have a better way. buff.ly/33H5B31
Let's be honest about where we are: LA needs 500,000 affordable units. At current pace, we're building 3% of what's required. Commercial development model asking for $708,000 per unit isn't working.
Meanwhile, 77% of extremely low-income families pay over half their income for rent.
buff.ly/tWqs7eT
Meanwhile, 77% of extremely low-income families pay over half their income for rent.
buff.ly/tWqs7eT
October 30, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Let's be honest about where we are: LA needs 500,000 affordable units. At current pace, we're building 3% of what's required. Commercial development model asking for $708,000 per unit isn't working.
Meanwhile, 77% of extremely low-income families pay over half their income for rent.
buff.ly/tWqs7eT
Meanwhile, 77% of extremely low-income families pay over half their income for rent.
buff.ly/tWqs7eT