This Christmas, I pray for your safe return, my friend

By Daniel Shin

Working for a nonprofit organization (NPO) gives people an opportunity to make a positive impact. However, identifying the right cause and creating an NPO is a different story. An entrepreneur is someone willing to launch a new venture and accept full responsibility for running the organization. It is a rewarding experience if everything goes well as planned.

NPOs are generally supposed to improve the quality of life for others at a community, local, state, national or even global level. A big difference with a profit corporation, though, is that NPOs are not attached to private or financial gain, but are dedicated to the public interest or the betterment of society by and large. It means that there is no monetary gain or financial upside for the founders of NPOs.

Solomon Song (a.k.a. Solnamoo Song), a friend of mine from elementary school, is a flutist by training. He has been featured on various professional music labels and TV shows as a composer and instrumentalist. He is a prolific presenter and inspirational performer at the finest musical events and also Christian missionary gatherings around the world. Song has been in Ukraine ever since the Ukraine war began, first, as a musician to comfort kids evacuating from Ukraine at the brink of war at a train station in a Polish border town, but now as a leader of humanitarian relief efforts driving into 220 cities in Ukraine carrying in relief supplies and transporting out refugees.

Solomon Song is now traveling to Kherson, one of the most conflicted areas in Ukraine, where he and his crew are fully exposed to life-threatening situations at any moment. Christmas is a time for families to unwrap gifts and share laughter.

However, this winter, Song has a great responsibility that he has created by himself through his compassion for the people of Ukraine, who are going through the most difficult times in their lives He drives for 10+ hours, unloads heavy boxes in severely cold weather in Ukraine and looks up at the sky with a feeling of unease for any sudden attack. Friends and family pray for his safe return and the end of the war in Ukraine.

Gary Haugen is an attorney and the founder of the International Justice Mission (IJM). Haugen used to work as a human rights lawyer in the U.S. Department of Justice. He left his job and started IJM in his kitchen along with several of his friends 25 years ago with the vision ― but no money ― to fight against modern-day slavery. Since its early days, IJM has effectively mobilized people and resources and worked closely with senior leadership in law enforcement and criminal justice in developing countries to rescue children in sex trafficking and bring justice where there is oppression.

What Haugen and his team do is a difficult job. IJM has even lost its people as IJM was an easy target for criminals who think that IJM's work inhibits their profit-making opportunities out of law enforcement. IJM is an extraordinary global organization that works with local justice systems to protect the poor who are exposed to violence and oppression.

Unbelievably, slavery could still happen in any country or cultural context and children account for almost 30 percent of those who have been trafficked. Haugen once said that "justice is about the use of power and the use of power with moral excellence." After quitting his job in the Department of Justice, he could have gotten a six-figure salary job at any top law firm with his pedigree. However, he has no regrets about starting IJM. He is more dedicated to his conviction than ever.

Now, the war between Russia and Ukraine makes women and children extremely vulnerable to trafficking. We need an immediate and collective response to solve this problem. IJM is working on it, too. We don't know when the war will end but it must end soon. The prolonged negative impact on children who have lost their land and family members during the war will be significant.

Numerous mothers have been kidnapped and also traded into the sex trafficking chain and their kids have nowhere to go. I am also struck with sadness and my thoughts go out to all those who have lost their family members and wish for the safety of all field workers and their families who try to support them.

Conviction does not pay the bills. Like profit-making businesses, NPOs also face rising costs. NPOs should stay focused on how they can transfer their conviction and motivation to inspire others. Good nonprofit leaders should inspire their staff and volunteers to act but also find resources to scale up and continue their mission.

Sustaining nonprofit causes during economic downturns and finding resilience is a daunting task even for those who are committed. Money is still out there, but NPO leaders should turn their mindset toward donors as donors won't contribute to those NPOs that are not running effectively and efficiently.

Nonprofit leaders continue to make an impact during economic downturns, given that more people need services and public benefits from NPOs during this difficult time. It is also possible to increase awareness by serving its community in a greater way during a recession. NPO leaders shall prioritize their efforts based on efficacy and exercise caution around their major capital investments, unnecessary staffing and the costs of fund-raising.

Nonprofit causes are not "nice-to-have" things. My friend who risks his life on the ground in humanitarian efforts once challenged me saying that you wouldn't even imagine what a war zone is really like and what is really needed there unless you witness it with your own eyes.

Oftentimes, it is not about money or supplies. Timely and tactical support that solves a critical problem during the war is much better than just dumping overstock or flowing money into quasi-international organizations that have huge overhead expenses but no direct impact.

We need to grow wonderful nonprofit causes. However, just as I said a short goodbye to my friend in prayer, committed leaders should first survive. We are getting into a severe winter. We can't let people down who are directly exposed to life-threatening situations. No matter what the circumstances are, I look forward to my friend's safe return. Be well, my friend.

Daniel Shin is a venture capitalist and senior luxury fashion executive, overseeing corporate development at MCM, a German luxury brand. He also teaches at Korea University.