RainMakers & ChangeMakers Update

An indefinite pause, gratitude, and donation of remaining funds to Ubuntu

Dear RainMakers & ChangeMakers friends,

The task of writing this post has been haunting me for at least 6 months. I am great at starting projects but terrible at ending them. Many of you probably have not noticed that this publication has been silent; but, some of you, especially my friends in Africa, likely have. And, I apologize for my silence.

Publication Paused But Remains

I have finally gathered the courage to write this post to let you know that I am pausing this publication and paid subscriptions indefinitely. The publication will not be deleted; the posts are such a treasure to me and the people I highlighted, so, no deletion! Just an indefinite pause.

Changing Priorities, Redirecting Inward

Earlier this year, my time, energy, and resources dwindled significantly and I needed to be turned inward to my professional life and my family, but especially my growing children. As a result, I stopped writing on Substack (almost) entirely [but for some poetry in April]. Anyone who tries to juggle work, family, volunteering and creative projects will likely understand that trying to juggle that much ultimately results in one or more of these things suffering. In this case, my inattention to my family and my own self-care were the casualties.

With my priorities shifting back to my family and my own self-care this year [and the job that pays my bills!], my plans to continue writing updates and doing new interviews for RainMakers & ChangeMakers necessarily have had to be shelved, and indefinitely so. I don’t think I will return to writing on this Substack in the future. I also will not be shutting it down, leaving a door open just in case.

I am so thankful for all of your support and encouragement for this publication. It was a whimsical project started June 1, 2024, answering a desire on my part to help more people and also keep up a writing and drawing practice. It lasted well past the 60 day challenge I set for myself. Initially, I didn’t expect that project to be anymore than a fun summer escapade. But, the more I got involved, the more I thought I could turn it into a fundraising and outreach arm on behalf of people doing amazing things.

I’m proud of the outcomes of this project. Changemakers who otherwise would not have a platform on Substack were highlighted, $350 was raised and disbursed to support small but meaningful and impactful projects in Africa, and the GiveBack Stack section and community was created.

As an aside, on the subject of GiveBackStack, I know that many Substack publications are successfully using their paid subscriptions to support community projects. I’m so happy to see that! And, I hope that they continue to receive support. That section and list will continue to stay live but will not be updated.

Fund Balance Donation to Ubuntu International

There is still a balance of paid subscriptions remaining in the RainMakers & ChangeMakers Fund that was not disbursed over the holidays. I am choosing to donate the remainder which totals $139.27 to

Ubuntu

International as they are doing incredible work supporting many of the ChangeMakers I highlighted on this publication during my Summer 2024 art & storytelling project. Please consider subscribing to them directly and donate!

A Final Thanks

I want to give a big thank you to the paid subscribers who took a chance and donated. Your money went to and is going to amazing projects. Thank you for your donations and support. It meant a lot to me and to the people who benefited that you reached into your pocket and shared your abundance.

I appreciate everyone else who subscribed and commented and read and shared the posts about amazing the amazing changemakers highlighted here last year.

And, of course, I want to thank all of the ChangeMakers who shared their stories. They will remain here for you to cherish, enjoy and share!

Sincerely,

Emily