Closing Remarks #29

The other day someone asked if I also offered support for organizations that got really close to closing but then didn't. This question definitely gave me pause. This is definitely something that happens and it is definitely rather traumatic, but should it be part of the work that The Wind Down does?

Many of the organizations I speak to spend years "running on empty" as it were, so when they start thinking about the end, there is almost always the lingering thought in their mind that, "Maybe someone will save us again?" The possibility of some funder/donor/partner/customer/"God hand" bailing the organization out of a tough situation oftentimes causes people to avoid facing the fact that they are truly at the end. However, "saviour on a white horse" or not, the fact remains that constantly careening toward the edge of the cliff is not a great way to work and only sounds like a road to burnout if not burnout itself. So, letting people who are on such a hamster wheel know that ending is an option does, very much, feel like work that I can (and should!) do. Maybe I am already doing it even?

BTW, if you are interested in how you can be better at leading your team through different sorts of endings, please do join us on Wednesday, May 21st, with the authors of Good Bye: Leading Change Better By Attending to Endings. I've included a few other related events here at the end.

1) Gates Foundation gives us all a BIG heads up!
This one blew up my inbox last week! Bill Gates, head of the world's largest philanthropy, has announced that the deadline for the spend down of his foundation has been pulled quite a bit forward. Instead of closing 20 years after Gates' death, it will close in 20 years --- meaning in 2045. This acceleration has been celebrated by the field, and many hope it will encourage similar action among other large philanthropic institutions.

2) Nonprofit grocer founded by former Trader Joe’s head forced to close, abandon customers in need
Daily Table was founded in 2012 by former Trader Joe’s President Doug Rauch, The supermarket chain had four locations throughout the Boston are and relied on philanthropic support along with donations from large food suppliers. Leaders note that the business has been in decline since the COVID pandemic, struggling with rising costs and a challenging funding environment. All stores were closed as of last week.

3) Scottish furniture charity takes a seat
With over 150 years in business, Dundee's Dovetail Enterprises was one of the oldest furniture and mattress manufacturers in Scotland. The charity provided work and training opportunities to disabled people in the community. The organization claims rising costs, low funds, and aging infrastructure brought them to the decision. 47 employees have been let go as a result, and Dovetail is working with municipalities to provide support to those affected.

4) Beloved SF jobs nonprofit suddenly ceases operations, shocks community
San Francisco Conservation Corps provided part-time employment on city projects like landscaping and recycling to a hundred or so young people a year. Founded in 1983 by then-mayor Dianne Feinstein, thousands of people were helped by the group during the group over its four decades. The board's director cited financial challenges for the abrupt closure, but also noted a desire to still find other aligned organizations to perhaps take up the work.

5) UK museum volunteer group lovingly winds down
In April 2025, the Friends of Bowes Museum announced that it would be sunsetting, citing falling museum attendance, reduced income, and a lack of volunteers. Founded in 1892, Bowes Museum is located in England's northern County Durham and primarily houses art from the late 19th and early 20th century.

The group will gently wrap up by transferring remaining funds to support museum programming and carefully transitioning their members to an alumni group. The museum also intends to acquire an artwork that will be a public tribute to the legacy of the Friends’ support over the past 75 years.

6) Scandal-ridden actor backs away from foundation
Actor Justin Baldoni is halting activities and dissolving his Wayfarer Foundation amidst a scandal involving his former co-start Blake Lively. Launched in 2021, the nonprofit organization's mission was to "advance humankind spiritually towards a future peaceful world civilization" in line with the actor's Baháʼí faith.

7) "Meet the Man Who Wants to Tax Most of the Nonprofit World"
Chronicle of Philanthropy profiles Scott Hodge, the "nonprofit killer".
Hodge acknowledges that “benevolent” nonprofits exist, but he prefers to talk about the ones that he believes aren’t. The ones that he thinks need to start paying taxes. Nonprofit hospitals. Credit unions. The NCAA. Kaiser Permanente. Universities with large endowments. And many more.

Closing Remarks is brought to you by The Wind Down, a consultancy for exploring, building, designing, and delivering better endings for mission-driven projects and organizations, and also raising closure consciousness. If you're enjoying it, please support my work.