The Wind Down

I have been working on these questions as a useful (but non-exhaustive) tool for people who are in the process of closing down their company, organization, or project. I recommend you work through them with a trusted partner, I think one section per session is enough. Give yourself some emotional space!

The idea is that they will help you think through the messy/more emotional stuff but also identify critical TODOs. Write out your answers but keep a separate notepad space for reminders that pop up as you think this through.

(If you aren’t sure whether you are at a closing point yet, I suggest you first work through the excellent Sensing An Ending toolkit from my friends at Stewarding Loss. I also point to additional practical resources on this page)

History of [ORG] and you!

• What brought you to (create) [ORG]?
• What kept you at [ORG]?
• What role does [ORG] play in your day to day life? How long has it played that role?
• What did you do try to keep [ORG] alive longer?
• Do you feel there were any social structures that unfairly contributed to this end? Are there any larger hardships you felt you and/or [ORG] faced?
• What were you able to accomplish through working with/at [ORG]?
• Do you have the capacity to stay in or hold (in the case of leaders) this organization through the closure? If not, are you able to step away? If so, when and how?

You and Loss

• What is your history of grief and loss?
• What rituals, practices, and our cultural traditions do you already have?
• How are they working? How have they worked?

Wreckage of the Past

• What do you wish you had done differently during your time at ORG?
• What do you wish ORG had been able to do/accomplish?
• What do you wish ORG had never done? Any other regrets?

Wreckage of the Future

• What do you feel like you will you lose when ORG closes?
• Who do you feel like/worry you will be when ORG closes?
• How do you think that you will you structure your days when ORG closes? What changes?

The Present

• Who needs to know that ORG has closed?
• Who will tell them?
• What thing/things from ORG hold meaning to you? Can you keep them? Why or why not?
• What thing/things from ORG could be useful to others? Can you give those things to them? Why or why not?
• What else feels unclear?
• What else feels unspoken?
• What else needs attention?
  • Is there anything you still want to do in the time you have left and what help do you need?
  • Is there anything you still want to make right in the time you have left?

The Team

• Do people need to be let go? 
• How to communicate that? 
• How to soften the blow? 
• Can/should they be brought into this process? 
• Emotional and tangible resources? 
• What mark do they still want to leave? 

The Stakeholders

• Who else aside from you and your team will be affected by this closure?
• Are there partners that can fill the void left by your closure?
• Are there partners who rely on your organization’s support financial and otherwise? Can you help fill that gap?
• Did anyone leave money or other resources to you in their legacy giving plan?