Are the Wild Things Visiting Your Non-Profit?

It’s a rainy weekend here in South Florida as we watch the tropics and cross our fingers that the brewing storms don’t come our way. The rain makes for a dark and dreary day — the perfect kind of day for one of my favorite pastimes: getting totally lost in a book.

As a child, I loved reading fairy tales — not the clear pastel fairy tales of Disney, but the dark and haunted tales of the Brothers Grimm. As an adult, my taste usually leans more toward historical fiction… but I still relish the opportunity to curl up and get completely absorbed by the words on a page.

I’m the oldest of four children in a generally loud and dramatic family. So the ability to become totally absorbed in a book was an important talent — a chance to feel both surrounded by a story and also completely alone. On days (most it seems) when the news feels more frightening than the prospect of a hurricane, getting lost in a book is the perfect refuge.

At the encouragement of my daughter, I just finished The Good Daughter by Karin Slaughter (soon to become a series on Prime). It reminded me of the thrill of a good mystery — and the delicious tension of a truly creepy scene.

My next book selection came while I was adding a few titles to a shelf I’ve set aside for books to read with my granddaughter — or that she will, hopefully, eventually want to read on her own. It’s a retelling of one of my old favorites from the Brothers Grimm, reimagined by none other than Stephen King, who’s best known for a very different kind of creepy story. To make it even more compelling, the book is illustrated with artwork by the late Maurice Sendak, taken from his designs for an operatic presentation of Hansel and Gretel.

As I added that hauntingly beautiful retelling to my granddaughter’s shelf, I couldn’t help but pause at the unlikely collaboration behind it: Stephen King and Maurice Sendak. One is best known for crafting spine-chilling horror, the other for capturing the wild wonder (and quiet darkness) of childhood. And yet, their work together — words and images — created something truly powerful.

It’s a reminder that some of the most meaningful collaborations come from unexpected places. And right now, that spirit of partnership isn’t just inspiring — it’s essential.

In today’s climate of deep uncertainty — where nonprofit funding is being cut, programs are stretched thin, and the needs in our communities are only growing — partnerships aren’t just beneficial. They’re the only way forward.

Now more than ever, we need organizations to come together — to pool resources, share space, combine ideas, and lift each other up. Whether it’s a literacy nonprofit joining forces with an after-school arts program, or a healthcare provider teaming up with a food security initiative, cross-sector collaboration is the key to surviving and thriving in this moment.

Just like in a good story, where different characters bring their unique strengths to overcome something bigger than themselves, our organizations need each other. And sometimes, it’s the most unlikely combinations — like King and Sendak — that make the most lasting impact.

So while the storms brew outside and I settle into a good book, I can’t help but hope that our communities, too, will find the courage to imagine new ways of working together.

Because the challenges we’re facing are real — and we’re going to need all the creativity, connection, and collaboration we can find.

If your organization is feeling the pressure of funding cuts or searching for new ways to grow your impact, Team Kat & Mouse is here to help. We specialize in helping nonprofits build strong, strategic partnerships that offer stability, stretch capacity, and open the door to fresh possibilities. Reach out — we’d love to help you write the next chapter.