How Tasha From Canada Builds Community With Others

Tasha Van Vlack didn’t always work in social impact. She came to the sector as a mid-career professional, working with a compassion fatigue and trauma collective where she served in a client-facing support role. 

“The experience opened up an entirely new world for me and deepened my understanding of what it means to care for those who care for others,” Tasha said.

Tasha quickly became more involved in nonprofits through volunteering and serving as a collaborator on projects. Eventually, she noticed a need for folks who work in mission-driven environments to gather with another and gain access to a community of people going through similar experiences.

That was the birth of The Nonprofit Hive, a community platform for social-impact professionals.

“So many people [in this sector] are carrying heavy responsibilities, navigating complex systems, and making big decisions without a space to talk openly with peers who truly understand,” Tasha said. “Networking spaces often feel transactional, and professional development spaces don’t always leave room for honesty. The Nonprofit Hive was built to fill that gap.”

The idea was simple: build a community that offers nonprofit professionals the chance to meet one another, collaborate, sometimes vent, and form genuine connections, completely free of charge. Hive members are encouraged to participate in shared learning opportunities and reflect on building a social-impact career by participating in 1-1 conversations, panels, and meetups, which are held virtually and in person.

“We’re focused on creating more global opportunities for collaboration, so nonprofit professionals across regions, roles, and lived experiences can learn from one another and feel part of something bigger than their individual organizations,” Tasha said.

Holding space for community on Idealist Days

In 2025, Tasha heard about Idealist Days, which take place on specific dates when the month and day are the same number—1/1, 2/2, 3/3, etc. Immediately, she recognized a shared commitment between Idealist Days and the Nonprofit Hive to bring people together through positive actions and community. 

“Idealist Days immediately resonated with me because they center action, reflection, and community, not just intention,” Tasha said. “I was drawn to the idea of offering something that felt accessible and human, especially for people who might be exploring social impact for the first time or feeling disconnected from it.”

The Nonprofit Hive now hosts virtual meet-ups on every Idealist Day for Hive members—and other social-impact professionals searching for community—to have a space to pause, connect, and reflect with one another.

Looking to the future of her social-impact initiative—which is now sustained by 3,000 members across 90 countries, as well as supported by a small team of three and over 55 collaborative partners—Tasha hopes The Nonprofit Hive can act as a model for similar communities looking to serve others.

“If the Hive can keep sparking meaningful connections that ripple outward into collaboration, resilience, and shared learning, then we’re doing our job,” Tasha said.

To learn more about the Nonprofit Hive’s mission and values, visit their website or join an Idealist Day community meet-up via Luma. Find out how to involve your organization in Idealist Days, or become an Idealist Day host, here.