Our New Worker Self-Directed Nonprofit Model: Centering Collective Leadership

Photo ID: Close-up of hands skillfully weaving dried palm leaves against a background of earthy tones. The surrounding frame features soft, pastel hues of pink with a cosmic-like pattern. The text overlay reads, "Towards a Future of Shared Leadership…" in a warm font.

We are thrilled to share that after many months (years?!) of dreams and preparation, BPF has officially transitioned to a Worker Self-Directed Nonprofit (WSDN) model, a move that reflects our commitment to practicing self-governance as a core principle of our spiritual-political work.

 Our model of governance is an experimentation and practice of living into our values —showing us what's possible, what world we want to grow, and where growing edges lie.

This transition is the result of an 18-month journey, driven by both deep self-reflection led by BPF board members Nicole Wires, Rahil Rojiani, and Alex Rodriguez, alongside Co-Directors who fine tuned the process to get us there– this process involved an intentional exploration of how we can embody deep democracy and will remain a container for how practice engaged Buddhism in our work. (more here)

Throughout this process, we were inspired by models like the Sustainable Economies Law Center and The New Economy Coalition.  Under this new structure, our co-director-led circles—including People and Culture, Programming, and Resource Mobilization—hold collective responsibility for decisions in their areas. Our board now functions with Mitta roles that provide strategic oversight while honoring staff autonomy. This model reflects the just transition we strive for in the world: one where power is shared, mutual care is prioritized, and everyone has a voice in shaping our work. 

Under the WSDN model, we have created collaborative staff-led circles that focus on different aspects of our work, including People and Culture, Programming, and Resource Mobilization. Each circle holds collective responsibility for making decisions within its area, allowing for a more inclusive and equitable process. Our Mitta roles on the board provide specific oversight while ensuring alignment with our mission and supporting the staff in their leadership roles. This new way of working supports our vision of interdependence by uplifting multiple voices, nourishing transparency, and allowing us to learn from each other’s experiences to drive our spiritual-political work forward.