Introduction

Social media platforms have long served as a vital communication tool for nonprofits, helping them engage with supporters and amplify their missions. However, when a platform’s ownership, policies, or practices conflict with your nonprofit’s values, staying can do more harm than good. By leaving these platforms, nonprofits take a stand for their mission, send a strong message to supporters, and contribute to positive change while distancing themselves from harmful practices.

Abstract Forest Landscape - Kerry Kriger Midjourney Art Nonprofit ICU

Why Nonprofits Should Leave Harmful Platforms

Continuing to use platforms with unethical practices or misaligned values presents several risks, whereas leaving can benefit the organization:

Supporting Harmful Practices: Remaining on these platforms contributes to their ad revenues, empowering their owners to continue promoting disinformation, hate speech, or the harmful policies that contradict your nonprofit’s mission.
Reputation Risks: Aligning with platforms known for unethical behavior can damage your credibility with donors, supporters, and partners.
Boosting Morale: Taking a principled stand energizes staff and volunteers, reminding them that your organization practices what it preaches.

Leaving these platforms doesn’t just protect your nonprofit—it also sends a clear signal to your supporters about your values, giving them more reason to leave as well.

Examples of Problematic Platforms

Facebook and Instagram (Meta):
The owner’s support for insurrectionists and those who pardon violent criminals; his advocacy for removing fact-checking; his excitement over the inclusion of a wife-beater on the company’s Board of Directors; and his consistent focus on profits over societal well-being directly contradict many nonprofits’ missions to promote truth, equity, and justice.

X (formerly Twitter):
With an owner who manipulates algorithms for political purposes, donates hundreds of millions to the campaigns of corrupt politicians, meddles in international affairs and fails to meet philanthropic obligations, X has become a hub for divisive rhetoric that can undermine nonprofit work.

TikTok:
Owned by a company tied to the Chinese government, TikTok’s meddling in U.S. politics via sending false push notifications to over 100 million users for several days straight during the 2025 presidential transition, raises concerns about its trustworthiness and ethical standing.

The Ripple Effect of Leaving

Departing a platform doesn’t just benefit your nonprofit—it creates a ripple effect:

Influencing Supporters:
By informing followers of your decision and the reasons behind it, you encourage them to rethink their use of the platform. This collective action amplifies your values and puts pressure on the platform to change.

Building the New Platform:
Directing supporters to alternative platforms or a community hosted on your own website (via software like Fluent Community) helps grow a more ethical social network. This can offset the initial drop in followers and ultimately strengthen your base.

Hurting Harmful Revenues:
Each departure reduces user engagement and ad revenues, weakening the financial power of unethical platform owners.

Mint Trees Growing - Kerry Kriger Midjourney Art Nonprofit ICU

How to Leave a Platform Effectively

Leaving a platform should be done strategically to minimize disruption and maximize impact:

Create a Connection Hub:
Build a page on your website (e.g., https://savethefrogs.com/social) where supporters can find all the ways to connect with you, including ethical platforms and your email newsletter.

Announce Your Decision:
Use your platform presence to communicate your reasons for leaving, highlight your values, and include a call to action directing followers to your new connection hub.

Replace Functionality:
Use tools like Fluent Community to create your own social space, and start engaging more on the alternative platforms that better align with your mission.

Phase Out:
Continue posting on the platforms you are exiting, but at a reduced frequency, and with a new goal. Rather than attempting to grow your base there, you are now posting to inform people of your presence elsewhere. This could be subtle, such as commenting on your post with a statement such as “Follow SAVE THE FROGS! on Blue Sky at: https://savethefrogs.com/bluesky”

Stop Posting:
Stop posting altogether on the old platform, or just post once a month or less, to remind the followers you left behind of your existence. An occasional update can reassure visitors your organization is still active. For example, posting once per year about your biggest event helps maintain credibility and ensures your account does not look abandoned.

Minimize The Need For Moderation:
You may wish to turn off commenting to minimize spam, trolls, and the need for ongoing moderation. Also consider whether to keep, selectively prune, or mass delete past posts. A clean archive can protect your organization from old content being taken out of context, while keeping a curated selection may preserve useful history.

Keep Your Account:
Do not delete or deactivate your account, as that could free your handle and make it available to someone with bad intentions.

Taking a Stand for Your Values:

Leaving platforms with misaligned values is a bold and impactful step. It shows your organization prioritizes ethics over convenience, building trust with donors and supporters while inspiring others to follow suit. Taking a stand also demonstrates leadership in an age when nonprofits are expected to embody the change they wish to see in the world.

The time to act is now. Create a strategy, communicate your departure, and empower your supporters to join you in building a more ethical and aligned online presence. Your mission and your values deserve no less. After not too long, you will have a sizable following on a new platform where you are happy to spend your time and communicate with your most relevant supporters. Good luck!