At Transend Advisory Group, we work closely with nonprofit and educational institutions, and part of that process is assessing grant readiness. We help organizations build the organizational infrastructure they need to manage grant funding successfully. Surprisingly, one key piece of this puzzle is understanding how adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) impact adults and recognizing the promise of resilience.
The Connection Between Trauma, Resilience, and Grant Readiness
Grant readiness isn’t just about strong financial controls or clear strategic plans. It’s also a reflection of an organization’s overall well-being. Funders look for organizations that are well managed and capable of high impact. When staff are trained to understand trauma and build resilience in themselves and others, they are better equipped to serve clients and students, design effective programs, and withstand the inevitable stresses of their work. Most leaders understand the components of traditional grant readiness, such as impactful programs and strong financial decisions, but many have not stopped to think about how those components are created by a team that is burned out with low engagement, frequent absenteeism (or presenteeism), and poor mental health. They usually aren’t. An unhealthy team doesn’t produce excellent work. Implementing trauma- and resilience-informed workplace practices can lead to increased employee engagement and retention, productivity improvements, and other benefits. In short, trauma- and resilience-informed practices help create a healthier, more robust organization.
Research shows that about 70% of individuals have experienced at least one childhood trauma, which means many people bring their experiences into the workplace, whether as employees, clients, or students (Burke Harris, 2014). By acknowledging these realities and promoting resilience, organizations can transform challenges into opportunities for growth and healing.
Why Resilience Matters
Over the past few years, there has been increased attention on the impact of trauma. Many are now aware of the lasting effects that ACEs can have. The transformative side of the story, however, often gets overlooked. Building resilience and the brain’s ability to heal are a key part of the narrative that couldn’t be more important.
Resilience isn’t something that develops in a comfort zone. It grows when individuals are faced with challenges and learn how to overcome them. In our current cultural moment, where many of us are navigating difficult times, building resilience is more important than ever. Every nonprofit and educational institution should take note: investing in resilience is an investment in organizational health and sustainability.
Resources to Get You Started
If you’re new to these ideas or looking to deepen your understanding, here are some excellent resources:
- TED Talk: How Childhood Trauma Affects Health Across a Lifetime
If you’re completely new to this topic, start here. In this enlightening, 15-minute talk, Dr. Nadine Burke Harris explains the lifelong impact of childhood trauma on our health and well-being. It’s a great starting point for understanding why early experiences matter. - Book: What Happened to You? Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing
Co-authored by Oprah Winfrey and Bruce D. Perry, this book shifts the focus from “What’s wrong with you?” to “What happened to you?” That’s a critical shift in helping clients and students. This book offers a compassionate look at trauma and the paths to healing. It’s a quick but informative read. - Book: The Deepest Well: Healing the Long-Term Effects of Childhood Adversity
This book by Dr. Harris dives into the long-term effects of childhood adversity and the role of toxic stress, while also highlighting how resilience can pave the way for recovery. - Book: The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma
If you’re looking for more advanced information, Bessel van der Kolk examines how trauma reshapes both body and mind—and how trauma-informed care can help individuals heal. - Book: It Didn’t Start with You: How Inherited Family Trauma Shapes Who We Are and How to End the Cycle
Mark Wolynn reveals how “unresolved trauma can embed itself in family systems, surfacing as unexplained depression, phobias, or self-sabotage in descendants” (p. 34). For instance, a grandmother’s experience of famine or racial trauma may influence a grandchild’s metabolic health or stress reactivity through inherited epigenetic markers. Nonprofits addressing poverty must recognize that trauma is not merely psychological; it can be a biological legacy…. but one that can be rewired and healed.
These resources offer diverse perspectives and practical insights into both trauma and resilience, serving as valuable tools for anyone involved in nonprofit or educational work. They are available through libraries as well as the links here.
Trauma-Informed and Resilience-Informed Workplaces
Imagine a workplace where every team member feels understood, valued, and supported. Trauma-informed practices help organizations recognize the deep-seated roots of behavior and emotional responses. When paired with resilience-informed strategies, these practices create a culture where challenges are met with strength and creativity. For organizations, particularly in the nonprofit and educational sectors, this approach is not just beneficial; it’s essential. Trauma- and resilience-informed staff are better able to:
- Serve clients and students with empathy and effectiveness.
- Design programs that truly address the needs of their communities.
- Withstand the pressures and setbacks that come with doing mission-driven work.
Ultimately, creating a trauma-informed and resilience-fostering environment strengthens the very foundation of an organization, making it more attractive to funders who seek high-impact, well-managed initiatives.
Building Resilience in Challenging Times
Our cultural moment is filled with uncertainty and challenges. Now is the time to focus on building resilience, not just for individual well-being, but as a cornerstone of organizational health. As we face economic, social, and emotional challenges, it’s clear that resilience is a critical piece of the puzzle. For nonprofits and educational institutions, fostering resilience means preparing teams not only to cope with challenges but to transform them into opportunities for growth and innovation.
Training Opportunities in Gwinnett County
For organizations in Gwinnett County, or for individuals who live here regardless of where they work, there’s a fantastic opportunity to engage in training through Resilient Gwinnett. Organizations can access free or low-cost training that provides practical tools and resources to help staff understand and integrate trauma- and resilience-informed practices into their daily work. With these resources, organizations can further enhance their grant readiness and overall effectiveness. Send an email to [email protected] to learn more.
At Transend Advisory Group, we believe that understanding the impact of childhood trauma and embracing the power of resilience is not just a “nice-to-have,” it’s essential for building grant-ready, high-impact organizations. By investing in trauma- and resilience-informed practices, nonprofits and educational institutions can create healthier environments where every individual has the chance to thrive.
As you explore resources, remember that now is the time to build resilience. Our future, and the future of the communities we serve, depends on it.