Nina and Sonali held the space with care, threading in breathwork, journaling, and reflection. Members were invited to sit with questions like: How might you integrate the sacred into your giving practices? What could it look like to bring what is sacred to you into your relationship with money? 

What emerged was not a set of answers, but a deeper engagement with the tensions and paradoxes at the heart of donor activism. Members grappled with what it means to make decisions about giving from a place of alignment rather than urgency. 

Throughout the cohort, the group heard from guest speakers who offered a unique perspective on what Sacred Donor Activism means in practice. Through stories, wisdom, and lived experiences, speakers challenged members to be honest and vulnerable:

• “Bring engagement of spirit to your work with money, not as a prosperity gospel thing, but to incorporate humility about the limits of our rational minds. To recognize a greater power and surrender to that, and consider that this money could carry with it something sacred: our love and intention.” –Marian Moore
• “Mother Earth’s economy is radical abundance and fearless generosity. And to begin moving back into that economy, we must do this in a way that has never been done before, and push on these structures that are not designed for this kind of cooperation and remaking of relationships.” –Woman Stands Shining, Pat McCabe
• “We cannot do this kind of work without having reciprocal, respectful relationships with the land where we live.” –Hilary Giovale

At the end of the cohort, members said the experience offered something they didn’t realize they were missing: a space to slow down, reconnect with their values, and deepen their relationship with meaningful giving. 

Explore your own journey with sacred donor activism with this prompt:

🌱Close your eyes, and think of an experience from your life that comes to mind when you hear the phrase Sacred Donor Activism. Hold it gently. Notice the qualities of that experience. What colors, feelings, or emotions arise? How does it feel to sit with it? When you’re ready, take pen to paper and write freely. Let what emerged in your mind and heart guide your reflection.

Sacred Donor Activism Resources

• Nina Simons’ Book: Nature, Culture & the Sacred: A Woman Listens for Leadership
• Marian Moore’s book: Free the People to Free the Money to Free the People: An Organize the Rich Anthology
• Pat McCabe’s talks: Speaking to the Water, Indigenous Teachings on Abundance & Generosity, and Indigeneity and Interbeing with Woman Stands Shining
• Hilary Giovale’s book: Becoming a Good Relative: Calling White Settlers toward Truth, Healing, and Repair
• Hilary’s reparative action plan
• Podcast: Reparative Philanthropy: Rethinking Wealth, Legacy, and Healing