FB Marketplace suggests GBS’s new branding
Every December, I tell myself I’m going to keep things simple. LightSource GBS will stay focused, my clients will get their grant deadlines met, and my holiday shopping will remain reasonable and dignified.
Then I end up on Facebook Marketplace staring into the panicked eyes of a frightened opossum painted on canvas.
There is something profound about realizing that this wild-eyed creature might be the most accurate depiction of the grant cycle I’ve ever seen. The opossum looks exactly like a nonprofit executive reading next year’s funding forecast, and honestly, a little like me when a client says, “We’re ready to scale,” and then casually mentions they’ve never actually tracked outcomes.
Naturally, I bought it.
Not for myself, of course. This masterpiece is destined to become a white elephant gift, the kind of item people pretend not to want and then silently fight over. It’s chaotic, oddly endearing, and slightly unhinged. Which—if we’re being honest—makes it the perfect mascot for end-of-year fundraising.
Here’s the thing: humor has a place in this work. Not slapstick. Not gimmicks. Just the occasional reminder that our sector is filled with humans trying to do extraordinary things with limited resources and mysterious spreadsheets. If a terrified opossum can spark joy, break the tension, or make someone laugh before they dive back into a logic model, I’m calling that impact.
So yes, LightSource GBS is all about clarity, strategy, and elevating narratives. But sometimes, strategic clarity means knowing when to close the grant portal, pick up the ridiculous painting, and let an opossum carry the emotional burden for a while.
Happy gifting season. May your grants be funded, your deadlines manageable, and your opossums only mildly alarmed.