When the ground fell away: What I learned from closing my organisation in a funding crisis
And why I built a program to help others avoid the same.
Q: What happened?
Jaleesa was the project of my life: a social enterprise matching families with trusted childcare. Two amazing co-founders and I created Jaleesa to create jobs for women in economically vulnerable positions. From 2016 to 2020, we built a fantastic, dedicated team, and employed 100 trained and vetted child carers. It was hard work, every step of the way, but our impact mattered. It was really something.
We were funded through grants and prizes, some revenue from sales, and a significant equity investment. When coronavirus hit in 2020, and Lebanon’s economy crashed, all three sources dried up at the same time.
Q: How did it feel, when you realised that you would not be able to raise more funding in time?
For months I don’t think I believed it would really happen. I knew it would be challenging, but we had run a lean team before. And we had ideas to fix it: multiple budget spreadsheets with all different scenarios. We tried everything we could think of: negotiating acquisition, launching in a new country, new products, selling our IP, applying for grants, a new investment round… But nothing worked out.
When I realised we’d have to close, it felt like the ground fell out from under me. It was a heavy thing to think, and then to say. I announced the closure to the babysitters together on a Zoom call. It was so hard to make my mouth say the words. Some people turned their video off as I was speaking to hide their tears. It was hard not to cry myself.
A couple of months later I started to see all these wispy new hairs growing around my hairline. I’d been so stressed, my hair had been falling out.
Q: What do you wish you’d had in place at the time?
I am so grateful for the support network we had – mentors, advisors, our Board. There were lots of people I could ask for advice (and I did!) And we closed in the best way possible – no sudden moves, everyone was paid, we ran a free nonprofit version of the platform for six months, and all the office staff successfully found new roles elsewhere.
As the leader of the organisation, I was missing two things. First — someone who was just looking out for me (and my co-founders). Not our business. Us. I eventually hired a coach, and that changed everything. I grieved Jaleesa for a long time, and that support helped me come through it. I later trained as a coach myself because I realized how rare and necessary that kind of care is for leaders.
Second — I wish I’d had someone objective to help us evaluate our funding options. We chased a lot of possibilities that drained time and money. In hindsight, we needed sharper insight on where to focus our efforts.
Q: How did this shape your thinking behind the Nonprofit Impact & Adaptation Accelerator?
Since closing Jaleesa, I’ve worked with over 100 nonprofits and social enterprises, and I’ve listened to many more through networks like Catalyst Now and CIPR.
People are stretched, and the challenges are real. Leaders need practical tools, honest guidance, and safe space to make decisions under pressure. They need to build strategies that actually fit their context — without burning out themselves or their teams. That’s what our accelerator is about: fast, relevant support from people who know what it’s like to lead in a storm. And a strong community to help you stay grounded. I am really excited to be part of it.
Q: What would you say to someone who’s unsure whether to apply?
If you’re lying awake trying to figure out how to keep going — or if you’re quietly wondering if it’s time to think the impossible — you’re not alone. The accelerator will give you space, frameworks, and support to travel towards the answers you need. We’ll help you get unstuck.
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Would you like clarity, resilience, and real support?
The Nonprofit Impact & Adaptation Accelerator is a 6-week program for nonprofit leadership teams navigating uncertainty. Practical tools, expert guidance, and space to plan your next move — whether that’s rebuilding, pivoting, merging, or letting go.
👉 Apply now or share with someone who needs it.
If your nonprofit or organisation needs thoughtful comms support, take a look at the AMS website and get in touch.
