Scary Nonprofit Stories to Tell in the Dark 2025

Hi everyone, Halloween is coming up next week, which means it's time for the annual scary stories. These are terrifying tales that are guaranteed to send chills up your spine. Gather your coworkers and read these stories together, because I don't recommend you read them alone. Add your scary stories in the comment section.

100 MORE YEARS

The gala was well attended. It was a Poe-themed event in celebration of a hundred years of service, and attendees wore elaborate ball gowns and coats and tails, their faces half-obscured by intricate raven masks. The air was light and joyful, and food and drinks were plentiful.

Suddenly the music died down and a hush fell over the room, the space darkened by tall vermilion curtains cinched with golden ropes. A dashing man, the board chair, stood at the ornate lectern, the spotlight framing his salt-and-pepper hair and refined features.

“It has been 100 years since our founding,” he said, holding a silver chalice of red wine, “and during this time, we have fed the hungry, found clothes for the cold, shelter for the homeless. We have served thousands.”

He raised the chalice. “To 100 more years!” he said, and the crowd raised their glasses and applauded, the feathers of their masks shaking softly, stirring the air.

THE ICEBREAKER

The meeting started and everything seemed to be going well. There were an agenda and enough hummus, clementines, and flavored sparkling water to last everyone throughout the day.

The executive director tapped on a chime, a single metal tube suspended on a piece of bamboo, causing a pleasant ringing sound to echo through the room. “I’d like us to begin with an icebreaker,” she said.

Everyone held their breath as she continued….

“Two Truths and a Lie!”

The team’s blood froze, and their mouths contorted into silent screams.

LISTENING

The foundation had gathered a group of its grantees for an evening listening session. It was trying to figure out how to help them in the face of unprecedented fear and attacks from the federal government.

“We lost a third of our funds,” said one leader, “we need more money.”

“Brilliant, a toolkit to help you explore diversifying funding,” said a program officer, scribbling “diverse funding” on the easel paper.

“Can you just increase your payout rate and give out more funds? Many of us are on the brink of closure!” shouted another nonprofit leader, her face pale and gaunt, as if she hadn’t slept in days.  

“A research project to study how nonprofits can increase their resilience during time of difficulties,” said the program officer with a smile, “that’s such a great idea.”  

“No!” said another leader, “We don’t need research! Or summits! Money! We need money! Our programs run on money! We’re all so tired trying to get you to understand!”

“Got it!” said the program officer, writing “self-care” on the easel paper.

On and on it went. Outside, the winds howled, and a barren tree scratched against the glass window with its gnarled branches.

CIVILITY

The ED was concerned. Things were tense at the organization. Due to the sociopolitical situation, everyone was on edge. After a heated debate, someone suggested forming a Civility Committee.

The committee’s first recommendation was to send out a staff-wide email encouraging everyone to focus on building harmony together.

And in the spirit of doing so, it banned “political” discussions at work. Conversations on trans rights, on engaging in protests, and on supporting voting engagement efforts were all labeled political and prohibited. All signs and decorations in different languages were taken down, as were images of disabled people, books depicting different cultures, any mentions of neurodiversity, and anything that was rainbow-colored.

Time went on, and the committee continued its work. Civility was maintained. By the end of the quarter, things were quiet.

And everyone was able to focus on the organization’s work of creating a just and equitable world.

THE FIRST 150

The program director was proud of herself. Despite the organization’s contract grantwriter quitting abruptly, she was able to rally the team herself and got the onerous and time-consuming proposal together. And two days ahead of schedule too.

As she hit the submit button, though, a chill went up her finger and caused her to shudder. On the screen a message popped up: “Due to the overwhelming number of applications we received, we decided to only accept and review the first 150 proposals. We wish you luck next year.”

Throughout the next two days, you could hear anguished screaming and cussing reverberating across the city as one nonprofit leader after another encountered this sinister message from that asshole funder.

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Read the scary stories from 2014, 2017, 2019, 2020

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Vu’s new book will be coming out on October 14th, 2025. Pre-order your copies at Elliott Bay Book Company, Barnes and Nobles, or Bookshop. If you’re in the UK, use this version of Bookshop. If you plan to order several copies, use Porchlight for significant bulk discounts.

Net proceeds from the sales of the book from now until end of 2026 will be donated to organizations supporting trans rights, immigrant rights, and/or are fighting fascism.