2021: Creating a Lexicon of Future

M is for Mycelium

The mass of interwoven filamentous hyphae that forms especially the vegetative portion of the thallus of a fungus and is often submerged in another body (as of soil or organic matter or the tissues of a host) ~ Merriam-Webster

Fungi are the most successful species on our planet. They “inherited the earth” after all 5 mass extinction events on our planet. WHY? because fungi are antifragile decentralized networks + can adapt quickly + don’t need sunlight to survive + find their own food.

Mycelium as Metaphor

Mycelium has often served as a metaphor for community, for the invisible connections that bind us in a vast network of humanity. It also serves as a great model for support organizations. I am going to define these as the organizations who do not provide direct services but support those that do. This includes capacity builders (like Rainier Valley Corps), back office service providers, collective impact backbone organizations, affinity and profession development associations, grantmaker associations, state nonprofit associations, coalitions, and foundations.

Support organizations, like mycelium, are often invisible. And sometimes people wonder what the hell we do. On occasion, especially when funding is tight (because no one wants to fund capacity…