One of the quickest ways a nonprofit loses trust, both internally and externally, is a lack of transparency. Conflict of interest comes up more often than people think. Most of the time it is not intentional or unethical. It is simply misunderstood. A conflict of interest exists when someone in leadership, whether a founder, board member, or officer, could personally benefit from a decision they are part of. That benefit may be financial, relational, or professional. The issue is not the conflict itself. The issue is whether it is disclosed and handled properly. Strong, healthy nonprofits do a few key things well: • They require annual conflict of interest disclosures • They discuss potential conflicts before decisions are made • They step back from votes when appropriate • They document decisions clearly Transparency is not about suspicion. It is about protection. It protects the organization. It protects the board. It protects you as a leader. If your nonprofit wants grants, major donors, partnerships, or long term credibility, this is not optional. It is foundational. Do you already have a conflict of interest policy in place, or is this still on your “we’ll get to it” list? No judgment. Just clarity.

Something crossed my Facebook feed last week that I haven’t been able to shake. Yes, it’s Sunday. But if you’re anything like me, your heart doesn’t clock out based on the day of the week. Mine doesn’t. This isn’t meant to cast a shadow on your day. It’s meant to bring awareness to work that is urgent and ongoing. Before I share a few links, I want to explain why I’m posting this here. Many people are drawn to nonprofit work because of their hearts. That’s a good thing. But once you decide to start a nonprofit organization, your heart alone isn’t enough. There are legal responsibilities. There are ethical obligations. And beyond all of that, there’s a deeper question we have to wrestle with. How far are we willing to go to truly transform lives? It is okay, and necessary, to provide essential items people need to survive day to day. But when it comes to most funding, especially grants, goodwill must be paired with a clear plan of action. Transformation requires intention. It usually shows up through well-designed programs and projects, not just distribution. For those working directly in sex or human trafficking prevention and recovery, I hope you understand the depth and complexity of this work. For those whose missions sit elsewhere, it is important to recognize that many of the individuals you serve may come from this reality. No matter our specific mission, there are layers, both local and federal, that we are called to understand and engage. Long before the Epstein investigation made headlines, "trafficking" was already a growing crisis. Technology only accelerated it. The articles I’m sharing highlight why understanding policy, legislation, and advocacy efforts tied to your mission matters more than ever. I’ve heard it said for years. Nothing truly changes until policy changes. This is why awareness, education, and alignment with advocacy work cannot be optional. It is part of the responsibility we carry. https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1CZ3PGgJc3/