Why We Chose to Stay Independent

Written By Rooted .

“Wait, so is Rooted in the Work an LLC or a Non-Profit?”

Great question!

Rooted in the Work is an LLC—and that’s an intentional, values-driven choice. For decades, we’ve done this work without needing tax write-offs or donor-dependent structures. Why? Because the work never stops. People turn to us constantly—not just for help finding jobs, resources, or support in a crisis, but also to share their successes, celebrate milestones, or simply connect.

This kind of constant, grassroots response requires flexibility, creativity, and a deep commitment to the people we serve. The nonprofit industrial complex isn’t built to support this level of responsiveness. Instead, it demands organizations conform to rigid funding cycles and donor-driven priorities.

At Rooted in the Work, we refuse to play by those rules. We believe in building something different—something that allows us to care for ourselves, sustain our mission, and challenge the harmful frameworks that perpetuate harm in the first place.

Why Not a Nonprofit?

Let’s be honest: the nonprofit model often replicates the very harm it claims to fight against. For organizations rooted in lived experience, the grind of securing grants and satisfying donor metrics creates barriers that are both exhausting and exploitative.

Here’s what we’ve seen time and again:

  • Priorities Misaligned: Nonprofits are forced to shape their work around what funders want to see, rather than what communities actually need.

  • Burnout Culture: Staff are underpaid and overworked, with little room to rest or recover.

  • Impact Undermined: Instead of building long-term solutions, nonprofits are often stuck chasing short-term wins to appease donors.

These issues hit hardest for people like us, whose work is deeply tied to lived experience. We’ve witnessed the toll of trying to balance real, on-the-ground needs with the impossible expectations of the nonprofit industrial complex so by choosing to operate as an LLC, we’re rejecting that framework entirely.

Doing the Work Without Martyrdom

The idea that financial sustainability and doing good can’t coexist is outdated. At Rooted in the Work, we know it’s possible to make money, care for ourselves, and still stay deeply committed to transformative change.

Here’s what being an LLC allows us to do:

  • Stay Responsive: We can prioritize the needs of the people who call us every day—whether it’s to ask for support, share their joy, or celebrate a success.

  • Teach Skills, Not Dependency: Instead of relying on charity, we focus on empowering communities to build resilience and independence.

  • Build Restorative Systems: Our work is centered on care, equity, and balance—not donor approval.

  • Create Sustainability: We ensure that the people doing the work are supported, paid fairly, and not expected to sacrifice their well-being for the mission.

This isn’t just a decision to protect ourselves—it’s a choice to build a new world. One where the people doing the work aren’t burned out, exploited, or undervalued.

What About the Future?

We know some people might think nonprofit incorporation is the only path forward for organizations like ours. While we respect that perspective, it’s not where our heart is.

If nonprofit incorporation ever becomes a strategic necessity—for example, to unlock certain funding or partnerships, we’ll handle it carefully and transparently:

  • The nonprofit would exist as a completely separate entity from the LLC.

  • An independent review board would ensure accountability and integrity between structures.

  • Proceeds from our shop, Patreon, and other platforms would continue to support the work directly, without compromising our values.

For now, we’re steadfast in the LLC structure because it allows us to prioritize people over bureaucracy and build systems that truly work.

Redefining Success

Success at Rooted in the Work isn’t defined by grants or tax write-offs. It’s defined by:

  • Responding to the real, immediate needs of our communities.

  • Restoring humanity and dignity in the face of systemic harm.

  • Teaching skills that foster independence and resilience.

  • Building a sustainable ecosystem that values care, equity, and accountability.

We’re here to challenge the idea that financial sustainability and social impact are mutually exclusive. By rejecting the nonprofit industrial complex, we’re carving out a new path—one that centers the people doing the work just as much as the people we serve.

We’d love to hear from you! If you have thoughts to share, are interested in being published on our site, or want to collaborate, email us at info@rootedinthework.com.

Rooted .