WHAT THE FUNDRAISING
138: The Power of Inclusive Approaches in Achieving Lasting Change with Nisha Anand
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“Progress does not mean my rights trampling on your rights. In fact, it never has.”
– Nisha Anand
Episode #138
Overview
In this episode of What the Fundraising Podcast…
In this episode of What the Fundraising, I am interviewing the amazing Nisha Anand, a boundary-buster, common ground creator, non-violent culture-creator, outside-the-box experimenter, and national leader for social and racial justice. Once a grassroots activist arrested in Burma for pro-democracy demonstrations, Nisha is known today as a leader in cultivating unlikely and unconventional partnerships to create change. As Dream.Org’s CEO, Nisha guides a team of storytellers, organizers, and policy experts working on some of society’s toughest problems to create a better future for all.
Understanding the nuances of human emotions, Nisha leverages inclusivity and unity to create policies that appeal to both sides of the aisle. Her vision is rooted in the belief that progress should never leave anyone behind – a philosophy borne out of her own experiences as an immigrant. Being comfortable with her blind spots and valuing individual liberty as much as equity, Nisha’s journey is a testament to the power of love, trust, and the relentless pursuit of inclusivity and progress. And in a world that is increasingly polarized, her perspective is a breath of fresh air.
We’ll talk about Nisha’s approach to bipartisanship and her focus is on inclusive legislation that brings unlike allies together. We talk about how to effectively navigate bipartisanship while advancing transformative agendas, and the pushback you might receive from funders or folks who have a strong resistance to working across belief areas. We also discuss strategic ways to turn fundraising into a potent organizing strategy and how to confidently address the money talk hurdle in your fundraising endeavors. There is so much in here for community leaders, organizers, and fundraisers.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
- Introducing Nisha Anand, CEO of Dream.org
- Nisha’s Journey to Dream
- Progress Without Division
- Navigating Self-Righteousness
- The Importance of Mission First Mentality
- The Role of Nuance in Fundraising
- Fundraising as Organizing Strategy
- Importance of Relationship Building
- Identity and Giving
- Building Coalitions with Different Values
- Accepting Donations from Different Sources
- Transparency and Partnership
- Working with Partners in Places of Power
- Accepting Gifts with Mission Creep
- The Importance of Identity in Fundraising
- Overcoming Fundraising Anxiety
- Playing a Bigger Game in Fundraising
- Reflection on the Role of Fundraising
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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
- Visit dream.org to learn more about Dream and their work in criminal justice reform and climate justice reform.
- Many thanks to our sponsor, Bloomerang for making this episode possible. Bloomerang offers donor management and online fundraising software that helps small to medium nonprofits, like First Tee of Greater Akron, a nonprofit that empowers kids and teens through the game of golf. After just one year with Bloomerang they doubled their unique donors, improved donor stewardship, and raised more funds. Head to bloomerang.com/whatthefundraising to learn more about Bloomerang.
- If you haven’t already, please visit our new What the Fundraising community forum. Check it out and join the conversation at this link.
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TIPS AND TOOLS TO IMPLEMENT TODAY
- Take a moment to reflect on the importance of radical inclusivity and consider how you can apply this mindset to your own activism or advocacy work.
- Think about the blind spots in your own thinking and consider seeking out diverse perspectives to broaden your understanding and create more inclusive solutions.
- Creating coalitions with different values can be an important step toward crafting broader, more inclusive solutions.
- A mission-first mentality encourages individuals and organizations to view tasks, opportunities, and challenges through the lens of their overarching mission, ensuring all actions align with the bigger goal.
- Radical inclusivity ensures an environment where every member feels valued, heard, resulting in organic participation and diversity in perspectives reflecting the organization's decision-making process.
FAVORITE QUOTES
- “Progress does not mean my rights trampling on your rights. In fact, it never has.” - Nisha Anand
- “If you want a durable solution and one that lasts, you do include the most people involved to come up with it.” - Nisha Anand
- “We have to decrease polarization while we're solving the greatest problems.” - Nisha Anand
- “Love has to stay front and center.” - Nisha Anand
- "Money is one expression of our values, and when we invest in things, our focus is there." - Nisha Anand
- "The only thing you can do is not compromise on who you are." - Nisha Anand
- "My message is usually people think it's like a little too kumbaya and let's all get along, and they don't think it's quite radical. But I actually think it's one of the most radical things you can do is making that stand for freedom for everybody." - Nisha Anand
- "Trust is the most important. And I say love because for me and who I am, there has to be love in connection to all of humanity, all the different types of humanity, to do what I do." - Nisha Anand
RELATED CONTENT
Get to know Nisha Anand:
Nisha Anand is a boundary-buster, common ground creator, non-violent culture-creator, outside-the-box experimenter, and national leader for social and racial justice. Once a grassroots activist arrested in Burma for pro-democracy demonstrations, Nisha is known today as a leader in cultivating unlikely and unconventional partnerships to create change. As Dream.Org’s CEO, Nisha guides a team of storytellers, organizers, and policy experts working on some of society’s toughest problems to create a better future for all.
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I teach nonprofit fundraisers to bring in more gifts from the RIGHT donors… so they can stop hounding people for money. Fundraising doesn’t have to be uncomfortable.
- CEO & Creator of the Power Partners Formula™
- Disruptor in the funding sector, changing lives everyday
- Relentlessly committed to the movement of money into the nonprofit sector
- Focused on win-win partnerships that allow fundraisers to be authentic and empowered in their work
- Over 15 years working in nonprofits (managing director and ED of multiple fast-growth organizations)
MALLORY ERICKSON
