January 12, 2025 • 27 mins
Sarah Barton hosts A-Nya Badger, Community Democracy Coordinator at Fairshake Environmental Legal Services, to explore the power of community-driven nonprofit initiatives. A-Nya shares her experiences in fostering equitable change, emphasizing the importance of centering community voices, building genuine relationships, and creating sustainable projects. She provides practical insights for nonprofits on how to align their goals with the needs of the communities they serve while ensuring long-term impact and resilience.
Key Takeaways- Community-centered approaches are crucial for sustainable change. Listening to and following the lead of community members ensures projects address their true priorities.
- Building trust and fostering genuine relationships with communities is essential to avoid being perceived as an outsider imposing solutions.
- Sustainability requires planning for long-term impact, such as skill-building and creating enduring funding sources, rather than relying on short-term grants.
- Reciprocity strengthens partnerships—nonprofits should find ways to give back to the community partners and stakeholders supporting their initiatives.
- Strong administrative foundations are vital to ensure nonprofits stay organized and compliant, enabling them to focus on impactful work.
- Fairshake Environmental Legal Services: fairshake-els.org
- A-Nya Badger: abadger@fairshake-els.org
- Grant Writing Proposal Guide: nonprofit411.info/grantproposal
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with other nonprofit professionals. Visit www.nonprofit411.org for more resources to help your organization build a sustainable fundraising strategy.
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(00:00):
Hello and welcome to Nonprofit411, where we dive into resources and strategies that help nonprofits not just survive, but truly thrive.
I'm Sarah Barton, your host and fundraising advocate.
.346938776Each episode, we bring you inspiring conversations with experts in fundraising, sustainability, and best practices to equip you with the tools and confidence you need to make a real impact. 4 00:00:29,887.797158395 --> 00:00:31,17.797158395 Hi, and welcome. 5 00:00:31,17.797158395 --> 00:00:32,887.797158395 I'm thrilled you're here with us today. 6 00:00:33,177.797158395 --> 00:00:35,557.797158395 If you're new here, I'm Sarah Barton, your host. 7 00:00:35,837.797158395 --> 00:00:46,57.797158395 And each week on Nonprofit 411, we have conversations with nonprofit experts who offer practical strategies and inspiring stories to help nonprofits build sustainable funding and stronger communities. 8 00:00:46,687.797158395 --> 00:00:51,587.797158395 Whether you're here to learn, be inspired, or simply recharge, I'm so glad you've joined us, so let's jump in. 9 00:00:52,267.797158395 --> 00:01:00,177.796158395 Today I'm excited to welcome our guest A-Nya Badger from the Community Democracy Coordinator from Fairshake Environmental Legal Services. 10 00:01:00,177.796158395 --> 00:01:02,987.796158395 Welcome! Yeah, I'm so glad to be here. 11 00:01:02,987.796158395 --> 00:01:04,327.795158395 Thanks for inviting me on. 12 00:01:05,87.795158395 --> 00:01:07,487.796158395 Yes, I'm so glad to have you. 13 00:01:07,817.796158395 --> 00:01:21,157.795158395 We have met through some local work and I have been so impressed with how well fair shake implements equity and inclusion into their work. 14 00:01:21,157.795158395 --> 00:01:23,477.794158395 And so I'm so excited to have a conversation with you today. 15 00:01:24,967.794158395 --> 00:01:27,277.796158395 Yeah, this work is a deep passion for me. 16 00:01:27,277.796158395 --> 00:01:29,557.796158395 So every day that I get to do it's exciting. 17 00:01:30,407.796158395 --> 00:01:30,757.796158395 Yeah. 18 00:01:30,757.796158395 --> 00:01:31,537.796158395 So that's so awesome. 19 00:01:31,757.796158395 --> 00:01:36,857.795158395 Well, before we hop into our conversation, I love to ask this question of all my guests. 20 00:01:37,152.796158395 --> 00:01:49,262.79515839 What is your favorite hobby? It feels cliche to say because it's been my favorite hobby for about five years now, but probably Dungeons and Dragons. 21 00:01:50,272.79615839 --> 00:01:50,872.79615839 Oh, fun. 22 00:01:51,182.79615839 --> 00:01:51,782.79615839 That's fun. 23 00:01:51,782.79615839 --> 00:01:55,672.79615839 I think gaming is something I have a son that really loves gaming. 24 00:01:55,682.79615839 --> 00:01:57,422.79615839 And so like that's a whole community. 25 00:01:58,192.79515839 --> 00:02:02,162.79615839 And when you're in the gaming community, and Dungeons and Dragons has a huge community. 26 00:02:03,142.79615839 --> 00:02:04,472.79615839 Yeah, definitely. 27 00:02:04,542.79615839 --> 00:02:15,712.79515839 I think there's definitely an element of envisioning and building the world that you want to see and create that intersects a lot with organizing and with role play in general. 28 00:02:16,772.79515839 --> 00:02:17,312.79515839 Yeah. 29 00:02:17,582.79415839 --> 00:02:18,982.79515839 Oh, I like that way of thinking. 30 00:02:18,982.79515839 --> 00:02:21,112.79515839 Like you get to, it's a creation thing. 31 00:02:21,402.79515839 --> 00:02:29,122.79515839 I really have been thinking a lot about the creative ways that people build the world that they want. 32 00:02:29,162.79515839 --> 00:02:31,492.79515839 And so, so it kind of fits into that. 33 00:02:33,542.79515839 --> 00:02:41,172.79515839 So A-Nya, can you tell our listeners a little bit about yourself and about the work that you do? Yeah, of course. 34 00:02:41,222.79515839 --> 00:02:44,502.79515839 So my name is Anaya Badger. 35 00:02:44,532.79515839 --> 00:02:47,982.79515839 I am a Kanawha County resident. 36 00:02:48,642.79515839 --> 00:02:51,222.79415839 I've been organizing since I was in high school. 37 00:02:51,312.79515839 --> 00:02:53,362.79615839 So for a good bit. 38 00:02:54,12.79615839 --> 00:03:03,532.79715839 And what do I do at Fairshake? I mean, anything that people need or want me to do that moves their vision into action. 39 00:03:03,542.79715839 --> 00:03:13,452.79715839 So like formally, Most of my time is spent working on a water quality grant right now to mitigate PFAS and the panhandles of the state. 40 00:03:14,262.79715839 --> 00:03:29,252.79715839 But also a lot of my days look like helping people figure out how to coordinate and do advocacy work or just like collective power to get their power back in their building. 41 00:03:29,272.79715839 --> 00:03:31,382.79715839 One of my coworkers did that a little bit ago. 42 00:03:32,112.79715839 --> 00:03:40,842.79715839 Or talk about like, why are there so much like over punishment in schools specifically of like children of color and things like that. 43 00:03:41,412.79715839 --> 00:03:51,562.79715839 So a lot of it is just being the bridge or the catalyst or like the facilitator to carry people's ideas and hopes into some kind of realization. 44 00:03:53,222.79715839 --> 00:03:53,582.79715839 Awesome. 45 00:03:53,772.79715839 --> 00:04:00,702.79715839 So I want to just let our listeners know that you're in West Virginia, because we have a lot of listeners who aren't in West Virginia right. 46 00:04:01,352.79715839 --> 00:04:04,372.79715839 So you do a lot of your advocacy work in West Virginia. 47 00:04:06,362.79715839 --> 00:04:06,742.79715839 Excuse me. 48 00:04:07,842.79715839 --> 00:04:22,972.79615839 I think so, you know, I work with so many nonprofits and we, and my work is really focused on fundraising and grant writing and training organizations to be successful at that for sustainability purposes. 49 00:04:22,972.89615839 --> 00:04:30,912.79715839 But I think that the work that you do at fair shake addresses sustainability in a different way, because it really looks at. 50 00:04:31,482.79715839 --> 00:04:46,577.79715839 Why, like, why do we have some of these social problems that we're experiencing that our nonprofits have to address, right? So, so go ahead. 51 00:04:47,517.79715839 --> 00:04:49,847.79715839 Oh, I was just like, yeah, I definitely agree. 52 00:04:49,897.79715839 --> 00:04:56,787.79715839 And it's a very tricky thing to navigate because it's really overwhelming also, especially when you're like first starting out. 53 00:04:59,87.79715839 --> 00:04:59,477.79665839 Yeah. 54 00:04:59,477.79665839 --> 00:05:12,77.79715839 And I don't, I don't know that a lot of organizations have really thought about like, how do I start? advocating for change in the community, sometimes that happens later, you know, in, in the nonprofit work. 55 00:05:12,447.79715839 --> 00:05:15,257.79715839 So how does fair shake go about. 56 00:05:15,977.79715839 --> 00:05:22,837.79715839 addressing sustainable changes in a community when like, so I know that you deal with a lot of environmental issues. 57 00:05:22,847.79715839 --> 00:05:27,747.79715839 So that's a big thing to address when we're looking at sustainable change. 58 00:05:28,107.79615839 --> 00:05:40,797.79615839 What are some of the things that you do as an organization to consider how to, I don't, sorry, I'm not asking, well, how to start that work to start the sustainable changes. 59 00:05:44,372.79615839 --> 00:05:49,462.79615839 I think that's a really important thing to consider and a question to always ask in doing the work. 60 00:05:51,37.79615839 --> 00:06:02,597.79615839 I think the first thing, especially depending on you as the advocate or initiator in the work, consider your role and proximity to the issue you're trying to work on. 61 00:06:03,97.79615839 --> 00:06:15,457.79615839 And especially if you're an outside entity to the issue or community that you're trying to help or affect change in making sure that you're centering the people that will actually be impacted by the work that you do. 62 00:06:15,887.79615839 --> 00:06:26,77.79615839 And I think a big key in sustainability is not being prescriptive and instead following the lead of the people you're trying to help. 63 00:06:26,837.7961584 --> 00:06:36,437.7971584 Because one way to get to a project fizzling out is saying, Hello community, I'm here to do X thing. 64 00:06:37,167.79715839 --> 00:06:40,317.7971584 listens, it listens, and then they're just like crickets. 65 00:06:40,887.7971584 --> 00:07:52,767.6961584 Instead you should be like, oh hello guys, like what are, what, ask them what they're interested in or what is their biggest problem and figure out how to mold your mission and goals to fit what is their top concerns, right? And so that's like the key thing that I think guides a lot of our work because we don't do any issue campaigning really or any like big initiatives of like we think this should happen all of our work is like okay what does the community want what is feeling critical for the people that we're here to be in service of and i think that's something that definitely has been lost in a lot of non profit space, especially if the work, I'm trying to say this in the right way, because it definitely has a place, but if you're chasing certain kinds of grants, I'd say, if you're trying to let the work be molded by, like, these different grant requirements rather than, like, focusing on the needs of the people I don't think I said that quite right, but does that come across right? Like, being like, Oh, okay. 66 00:07:52,767.6961584 --> 00:07:58,457.6961584 We want to hit this metric rather than like, and like forcing it into the community rather than. 67 00:07:58,822.6961584 --> 00:07:59,912.6961584 Following their leads. 68 00:08:01,132.6961584 --> 00:08:04,62.6961584 Yeah, actually, I think that that's a great point. 69 00:08:04,92.6961584 --> 00:08:24,87.6961584 And I talk about with nonprofits all the time, the importance of aligning with funders, right? Aligning with funders and making sure that the work that they Are interested in investing in is the same work that you're interested in doing or the same work that your community is interested in having. 70 00:08:24,387.6961584 --> 00:08:29,207.6961584 And I've really seen that a lot with my rural in my work with rural communities. 71 00:08:29,837.6951584 --> 00:08:32,577.6951584 A lot of times rural communities feel like. 72 00:08:33,857.6961584 --> 00:08:39,887.6961584 Outsiders come in and tell them how they're supposed to be and they do it because they got a grant to do it. 73 00:08:40,237.6961584 --> 00:08:41,807.6961584 And then they leave. 74 00:08:42,197.6961584 --> 00:08:44,457.6951584 And so like, it actually wasn't. 75 00:08:46,12.6961584 --> 00:09:06,792.6961584 As meaningful or impactful as the organization might have wanted because they they didn't align well with both the community that they're serving as well as the the funders, right? So sometimes funders are wanting to see a specific change, but that may not always be the change that you want to see in the community. 76 00:09:06,792.6961584 --> 00:09:13,332.6961584 So you need to make sure up front that there's good alignment for that investment to be the right investment for your community. 77 00:09:14,687.6961584 --> 00:09:15,997.6961584 Yes, exactly. 78 00:09:15,997.6961584 --> 00:09:46,417.6961584 And I think hmm, I think if you're not careful also even if you are a good willed do gooder As is the nature of all institutions and systems, without intentional care you can become I'm forgetting the word, but like, not patronizing, but like, kind of like paternal paternalistic to communities when you have not even introduced yourself, maybe and gained it. 79 00:09:46,792.6961584 --> 00:09:48,502.6961584 Relationship building and trust. 80 00:09:49,92.6961584 --> 00:10:00,812.6961584 And so that causes a lot of suspicion and harm for folks and makes it even harder for the next well intentioned group to come in especially if they have the right intentions. 81 00:10:00,862.6971584 --> 00:11:09,187.6971584 They won't even get that first foothold because I think, especially in West Virginia, there's this General feel that like the non profit groups that come into the tiny rural towns will just leave and they will have to maintain whatever structures are there without this extra help that they've gotten which leads me into the next thing I wanted to say about sustainability is like making sure whatever work you do is either like easily replicated or Able to be carried out or making best use of your funding to get the initiative or project shored up in a way that it can be more easily carried out and have longevity because, like, having a community center is great, but if it's reliant on a one year grant it will be great for that one year and then, you know, fall into disrepair rather than investing in building skills and resilience and knowledge and or setting them up with like perpetual funding sources or finding ways to keep whatever thing you're having alive. 82 00:11:09,717.6971584 --> 00:11:13,867.6971584 Cause I think it betrays a lot of the hope people have when people come and go so much. 83 00:11:14,682.6971584 --> 00:11:40,477.5971584 Yeah, yeah, yeah, I think another thing that, you know, that really resonates with me is that I talk about capacity building a lot, and that capacity building is making sure that you're still around to be able to do the good work and so like, when we're looking for funding, we're not looking for funding necessarily just for one year but we want to build structures that will endure and, and yeah, yeah. 84 00:11:41,247.6971584 --> 00:11:54,267.6971584 One of the things that I have so appreciated as I've worked with fair shake in the community is the way that they have built in the community feedback loop. 85 00:11:54,297.6971584 --> 00:11:59,507.6981584 And I think that that's so, in our work that we've done here in Parkersburg. 86 00:12:02,57.6981584 --> 00:12:12,367.6981584 Each year we have held opportunities in the in the region and had community members kind of share what their vision for their community is. 87 00:12:12,847.6971584 --> 00:12:42,362.6981584 And the goal has been to pass that vision on, right? And so I, I think that nonprofits who are building some sustainable funding and looking at sustainable practices like that's a really beautiful thing to be able to have that real raw feedback from the community about what's working and what's not working in real ways. 88 00:12:42,722.6981584 --> 00:12:46,562.6981584 So, can you tell me a little bit about the. 89 00:12:48,202.6981584 --> 00:12:53,92.6981584 The philosophy and the practices that you utilize them in other communities. 90 00:12:53,342.6981584 --> 00:13:03,322.6981584 I am a little I'm familiar with your work here in Parkersburg, but do you have like a structure that you kind of follow to make sure that you get that community feedback and buy in. 91 00:13:05,737.6981584 --> 00:13:43,977.6991584 Hmm, we don't quite have like a, here's the community engagement 101 handbook, because it is very case by case, I'd say, but the thing that's at the core of it all is always being genuine, like not being Stiffy or like a stuffy suit from a c suite in a big city being like just the neighbor down the street and like being, meeting people where they're at emotionally and like, political analysis wise or like consciousness wise of like intersection issues or things like that. 92 00:13:44,907.6991584 --> 00:13:49,927.6991584 So compassion and consideration is always at the core of those things. 93 00:13:50,817.6991584 --> 00:13:54,777.6991584 And I think also a huge dose of humility as well. 94 00:13:55,717.6991584 --> 00:14:22,137.6991584 Because how to think of the best way to like put it People aren't going to trust you if they don't think that they can be safe with you and so you're not going to really get trust or feedback or buy in if you are, like, the cartoon version of, like, an out of town corporation that just wants to extract from places. 95 00:14:22,862.6991584 --> 00:14:49,107.6991584 And I think also a lot of that is supported by our reciprocity that we have with community groups, because even though we are environment and democracy, It wouldn't be uncommon to see us show up at like a community fish fry or like a fundraiser for a little league game because it still fits our mission of community engagement, community education. 96 00:14:49,537.6991584 --> 00:15:02,957.6991584 But it also is invaluable to just be present to break down that essence of being outside when you're being present within. 97 00:15:04,857.6991584 --> 00:15:05,807.6991584 I like that. 98 00:15:06,697.6991584 --> 00:15:11,372.6991584 I like that a lot like And I agree the reciprocity. 99 00:15:11,542.6991584 --> 00:15:27,22.6981584 You know, I think that that's really important and I think when organizations to receive the blessing of grants and they receive the blessings of funds, you know, thinking of ways to reciprocate. 100 00:15:27,982.6991584 --> 00:15:31,652.6991584 With their community partners is so important. 101 00:15:32,242.6991584 --> 00:15:49,602.6991584 One of the strategies that I've utilized in my grant work is that all of the partners get some money like I, you know, if the partners are not getting are not able to participate in, in the fund that in the funds that we're receiving. 102 00:15:50,597.6991584 --> 00:16:07,667.6981584 then what else can I do to help support their work? You know, maybe it's that the funding can provide curriculum that we can all use, or maybe it's that, you know, we are able to purchase the valued thing that they needed. 103 00:16:07,667.6991584 --> 00:16:16,207.6991584 And in a grant that I got recently the organization wasn't actually able to take the, the grant funds because of their structures. 104 00:16:16,552.6991584 --> 00:16:26,372.6991584 And so we were able to buy them a community garden which was so awesome because we were working on providing healthy foods for the community. 105 00:16:26,382.6991584 --> 00:16:31,522.6986584 And like, they were like, this will be sustainable if we can have a community garden where people can come. 106 00:16:31,522.6986584 --> 00:16:35,752.6986584 And so like, I think like that reciprocity thing is not a little thing. 107 00:16:35,752.6986584 --> 00:16:37,922.6991584 It's so meaningful. 108 00:16:38,532.6991584 --> 00:16:43,72.6991584 And it really helps build strong relationships, you know, with people. 109 00:16:43,637.6991584 --> 00:16:50,637.6991584 our partners as well as with the donors in the community, you know, to recognize that they're doing good work too. 110 00:16:53,37.6991584 --> 00:16:53,947.6991584 Yeah, exactly. 111 00:16:53,947.6991584 --> 00:16:54,997.6991584 I completely agree. 112 00:16:55,997.6991584 --> 00:16:56,447.6991584 Yeah. 113 00:16:56,977.6991584 --> 00:17:03,857.6991584 So can you share with our listeners kind of a case study or. 114 00:17:04,287.6991584 --> 00:17:06,777.6991584 Like your favorite story. 115 00:17:06,777.6991584 --> 00:17:16,887.6991584 I always, I always think every person who works at a nonprofit has this favorite story about something they saw or witnessed or part of, because it was just so amazing. 116 00:17:16,897.6991584 --> 00:17:21,707.6981584 It's that miracle moment where you're like, yes, this is why I do this work. 117 00:17:21,747.6981584 --> 00:17:26,877.6991584 Do you have a story like that? Hmm, there's so many. 118 00:17:27,27.6991584 --> 00:17:29,97.6991584 Let me think about that. 119 00:17:29,657.6991584 --> 00:17:48,722.6991584 It's hard to pick just one, right? I think something that's so unique about What we do, right, is that we're not just the typical nonprofit that does like organizing work or like progressive change work or like community resourcing and capacity building. 120 00:17:49,42.6991584 --> 00:18:09,422.7001584 We also have our legal program that helps people pull levers of power that they usually wouldn't have access to because affordable or free legal representation is so few and far between, right? And so, I think, hmm, I'm trying to think. 121 00:18:12,122.7001584 --> 00:18:14,742.7001584 There are so many different things. 122 00:18:15,502.7001584 --> 00:18:48,62.6991584 As for like the community education side of it I worked with a local group to put on a democracy lab, like, how is democracy working in our city? And We got to talk to people and, like, hear what they thought things worked like, or, like, how they thought things could go and seeing people's, like, gears start to turn mentally and being, being like, I can do something, or, like, seeing their mental belief rise. 123 00:18:48,457.6991584 --> 00:19:01,727.6991584 in the efficacy of their individual power and collective action is just really magical and something that keeps motivating me to do the work, even though it's really hard to do, especially in West Virginia. 124 00:19:02,227.6981584 --> 00:19:13,787.6971584 Because I think there's so much often created to help or not help, but created to like make people feel despair or apathy or nihilism. 125 00:19:14,197.6981584 --> 00:19:26,247.6981584 And so, being hopeful is like transgressive and radical and a landscape that is so flooded with despair and exhaustion. 126 00:19:26,247.6981584 --> 00:19:26,727.6981584 Right. 127 00:19:27,297.6981584 --> 00:19:44,862.6981584 And so, Getting to use my career and professional capacity as like working with Flareshake and other partnerships to be able to help guide people along from being like, I don't know why this thing is like that, and it's inconvenient and I don't like it, to being like, Hmm. 128 00:19:44,912.6981584 --> 00:20:02,722.6971584 Well, I'm gonna go do this action or go speak at city council or meet with my local legislator to talk about why is this thing like that? Moving from just noticing to acting is really powerful and inspiring for me. 129 00:20:03,62.6971584 --> 00:20:03,402.6971584 Mm hmm. 130 00:20:03,492.6971584 --> 00:20:13,232.6971584 And I think too On the legal side of things, there are so many different things that I get to hear about working with our legal team. 131 00:20:13,772.6971584 --> 00:20:17,142.6961584 I'm trying to think, I have them send me some things because I am not a lawyer. 132 00:20:17,142.6961584 --> 00:20:18,252.6971584 I always have to say that. 133 00:20:18,912.6961584 --> 00:20:35,232.6971584 But it's always really powerful to be like, yeah, I'm going to go get my really talented friend to help you engage with this scary process and protect them from something that Can often be really exploitative to people with low resources or low knowledge on how situations work. 134 00:20:35,232.6971584 --> 00:20:35,642.6971584 Right. 135 00:20:36,572.6971584 --> 00:20:38,412.6971584 And so, let me see. 136 00:20:38,712.6961584 --> 00:20:43,562.5961584 I, it kind of brings to mind the words, like, you get to manifest hope. 137 00:20:43,802.5971584 --> 00:20:45,372.5961584 Right? Mm hmm. 138 00:20:45,372.5981584 --> 00:20:46,512.5961584 That's so awesome. 139 00:20:46,522.5971584 --> 00:20:47,342.5971584 Manifesting hope. 140 00:20:50,332.5971584 --> 00:20:50,902.5971584 Yeah. 141 00:20:50,922.5971584 --> 00:20:51,382.5971584 So. 142 00:20:51,732.5971584 --> 00:21:16,532.5961584 A couple things they shared with me about, like, things that they did that they thought were some of their favorites was, like, that we got to support a neighborhood partnership in the expansion of their countywide home repair program, from including only owner occupied homes to homes that are tenant occupied as well, and educating managers on the legal responsibilities of landlords in homes with existing lead hazards. 143 00:21:17,322.5971584 --> 00:21:33,792.5971584 And so that intersects with just like, oh, my like kids are getting sick in this house that I rent to like here are some like legal protections and like actually you have these rights and we're here to help enforce them or do that legal advocacy work as well. 144 00:21:34,812.5971584 --> 00:21:36,212.5971584 Yeah, that's awesome. 145 00:21:36,222.5971584 --> 00:21:45,472.5961584 Like, I mean, that's why we're all in the nonprofit sector, right? Because we want to be able to see these amazing things happen because we know they can. 146 00:21:45,732.5971584 --> 00:21:49,72.5971584 And so you're getting to be able to be like that facilitator. 147 00:21:49,72.5971584 --> 00:21:55,482.5961584 And I think that's so awesome to be able to witness you know, to be able to witness period. 148 00:21:55,502.5961584 --> 00:21:57,22.5971584 Like, I think that's pretty amazing. 149 00:21:58,482.5971584 --> 00:22:07,502.5971584 So, so tell us how our listeners can get in touch with you, who you serve, And when it would make sense to contact you at Fairshake. 150 00:22:08,812.5971584 --> 00:22:14,252.5971584 Yeah so how to get in contact with Fairshake in general. 151 00:22:14,582.5971584 --> 00:22:17,832.5971584 We have our website fairshake els. 152 00:22:17,832.5971584 --> 00:22:18,42.5971584 com. 153 00:22:18,42.5971584 --> 00:22:19,462.5971584 Let me double check that. 154 00:22:20,222.5971584 --> 00:22:23,452.5971584 I go to this website all the time and I should have it memorized by now. 155 00:22:24,322.5971584 --> 00:22:26,852.5971584 Yeah, Fairshake, fairshake ELS. 156 00:22:26,882.5971584 --> 00:22:32,662.5971584 org has all our resources, has our intake form for legal representation. 157 00:22:33,552.5971584 --> 00:22:35,612.5971584 Info at fairshake. 158 00:22:35,652.5961584 --> 00:22:38,452.5971584 org is like the general contact email. 159 00:22:38,452.5971584 --> 00:22:48,272.5971584 We have a general contact number on there, but my personal Fairshake email is abadger at fairshake els. 160 00:22:48,572.5971584 --> 00:22:49,12.5971584 org. 161 00:22:49,722.5971584 --> 00:22:52,42.5971584 And happy to reach out to folks. 162 00:22:52,112.5961584 --> 00:22:56,322.5961584 That are interested in talking about, like, democracy, education, engagement, and things like that. 163 00:22:56,792.5961584 --> 00:23:15,222.5931584 We work in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia, for the most part but also are open to talking with people outside of that region because organizing principles are pretty universal But there are more restrictions on the legal side because of like, you know, certifications and things like that. 164 00:23:15,582.5931584 --> 00:23:23,772.5911584 So not as helpful outside of those areas for legal, but you know, could run questions by us and we usually have connections or referrals. 165 00:23:24,412.5921584 --> 00:23:32,62.5931584 And so talking about how to do democracy education or how to talk about community benefits or things like that. 166 00:23:32,92.5931584 --> 00:23:35,122.5921584 We have resources, information, things like that. 167 00:23:35,682.5931584 --> 00:23:41,192.5931584 So I guess if you're curious and just want to move your vision into action, reach out to us. 168 00:23:42,412.5931584 --> 00:23:43,132.5931584 Awesome. 169 00:23:43,302.5931584 --> 00:23:44,62.5931584 That's great. 170 00:23:44,82.5931584 --> 00:23:46,942.5931584 Thank you so much for, for sharing that. 171 00:23:46,972.5931584 --> 00:23:50,312.5931584 And I like to ask, I like to save one more question for after that. 172 00:23:50,342.5931584 --> 00:24:05,412.5931584 My guests are always, they always think that's the wrap up, but is there any, like, is there any piece of advice that you just want to give nonprofits as they go and do the good work that they're doing? Anything that you would recommend or any tips, tricks, advice. 173 00:24:06,22.5931584 --> 00:24:08,752.5931584 Or just goodwill that you would like to share. 174 00:24:10,22.5931584 --> 00:24:10,852.5931584 Hmm. 175 00:24:12,322.5931584 --> 00:24:34,222.5941584 That made me think of one thing too, that we don't, I guess, talk about a lot that we do, but we like help people with nonprofit and corporation, and that makes me think of the thing that people don't talk about often, which is like, really be sure that like your administrative side is like straightened out and organized. 176 00:24:34,792.5941584 --> 00:25:06,162.5941584 Because doing the work is like really impactful and really important and you don't want to get tripped up by like a misplaced document or an unfiled thing or like an audit or something to distract you from being able to put your efforts where they like make the most impact, right? So like keeping the hope and making things easier for yourself later by being organized and making sure you're like checking all your boxes and have your admin side squared away. 177 00:25:07,217.5941584 --> 00:25:08,367.5941584 I think that's great advice. 178 00:25:08,367.5941584 --> 00:25:23,757.5941584 I think that you know, there are some legal areas where nonprofits just need to be aware and they need to be on top of the paperwork, you know, they have to file annual reports and file specific Oh, what do you call them? Forms each year. 179 00:25:23,757.5951584 --> 00:25:25,827.5951584 And so I, I think that's great advice. 180 00:25:25,867.5951584 --> 00:25:27,337.5951584 Thank you so much for that. 181 00:25:28,197.5951584 --> 00:25:33,657.5951584 Thank you Anaya, for coming and visiting with us today on Nonprofit 4 1 1. 182 00:25:33,687.5951584 --> 00:25:39,747.5951584 It was such a blessing to have you and to our listeners, I wanna thank you for tuning in this week. 183 00:25:40,267.5951584 --> 00:25:42,577.5951584 Tune back in for the next one. 184 00:25:42,577.5951584 --> 00:25:50,127.5951584 We always enjoy having you here and we hope that you can continue to do your good work and make amazing things happen. 185 00:25:50,877.5951584 --> 00:25:51,957.5951584 Thanks and have a good day. 186 00:25:58,281.9576623 --> 00:26:01,611.9576623 Thank you so much for tuning in to this episode of Nonprofit411. 187 00:26:02,61.9576623 --> 00:26:05,641.9576623 I hope you found today's conversation as insightful and inspiring as I did. 188 00:26:06,231.9576623 --> 00:26:09,591.9566623 Remember, building a healthy nonprofit requires a holistic approach. 189 00:26:09,911.9576623 --> 00:26:16,731.8576623 There are many resources available to support your staff and we're dedicated to helping your organization access what it needs to thrive. 190 00:26:17,511.9576623 --> 00:26:21,751.9576623 One key to creating a thriving organization is a diverse fundraising strategy. 191 00:26:22,281.9576623 --> 00:26:26,151.9576623 While grants are an important part of that strategy, they're just one piece of the overall puzzle. 192 00:26:26,971.9566623 --> 00:26:32,391.9566623 If you're looking to strengthen your grant writing skills as part of this bigger picture, I've got a resource to help you get started. 193 00:26:32,941.9576623 --> 00:26:41,241.9576623 Download my free grant writing guide, packed with practical tips and best practices to help you craft proposals that align with your overall fundraising goals. 194 00:26:41,731.9576623 --> 00:26:43,221.9576623 You'll find the link in the show notes. 195 00:26:43,491.9576623 --> 00:26:49,661.9576623 And as always, if you enjoyed today's episode, Please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your fellow changemakers. 196 00:26:50,261.9576623 --> 00:26:52,861.9576623 Let's work together to build a vibrant nonprofit community. 197 00:26:53,181.9576623 --> 00:26:56,187.2637847 Until next time, keep pushing forward and making a difference. 198 00:26:56,719.4415377 --> 00:27:02,789.4415377 Nonprofit leaders know that funding is key to making a lasting impact, but finding the right approach can be challenging. 199 00:27:03,269.4415377 --> 00:27:10,119.4415377 At Nonprofit 411, we understand that grants are just one piece of the puzzle, but an important skill for every nonprofit to master. 200 00:27:10,579.4405377 --> 00:27:17,9.4415377 That's why we created the Grant Writing Proposal Guide to help you turn your mission into actionable plans that attract funding. 201 00:27:17,539.4415377 --> 00:27:20,409.4415377 Let us support you in taking your fundraising to the next level. 202 00:27:20,859.4415377 --> 00:27:23,219.4415377 Download the Grant Writing Proposal Guide at Nonprofit411. 203 00:27:23,229.4415377 --> 00:27:26,229.4415377 org today, and let's build a stronger future together.
Hello and welcome to Nonprofit411, where we dive into resources and strategies that help nonprofits not just survive, but truly thrive.
I'm Sarah Barton, your host and fundraising advocate.
.346938776Each episode, we bring you inspiring conversations with experts in fundraising, sustainability, and best practices to equip you with the tools and confidence you need to make a real impact. 4 00:00:29,887.797158395 --> 00:00:31,17.797158395 Hi, and welcome. 5 00:00:31,17.797158395 --> 00:00:32,887.797158395 I'm thrilled you're here with us today. 6 00:00:33,177.797158395 --> 00:00:35,557.797158395 If you're new here, I'm Sarah Barton, your host. 7 00:00:35,837.797158395 --> 00:00:46,57.797158395 And each week on Nonprofit 411, we have conversations with nonprofit experts who offer practical strategies and inspiring stories to help nonprofits build sustainable funding and stronger communities. 8 00:00:46,687.797158395 --> 00:00:51,587.797158395 Whether you're here to learn, be inspired, or simply recharge, I'm so glad you've joined us, so let's jump in. 9 00:00:52,267.797158395 --> 00:01:00,177.796158395 Today I'm excited to welcome our guest A-Nya Badger from the Community Democracy Coordinator from Fairshake Environmental Legal Services. 10 00:01:00,177.796158395 --> 00:01:02,987.796158395 Welcome! Yeah, I'm so glad to be here. 11 00:01:02,987.796158395 --> 00:01:04,327.795158395 Thanks for inviting me on. 12 00:01:05,87.795158395 --> 00:01:07,487.796158395 Yes, I'm so glad to have you. 13 00:01:07,817.796158395 --> 00:01:21,157.795158395 We have met through some local work and I have been so impressed with how well fair shake implements equity and inclusion into their work. 14 00:01:21,157.795158395 --> 00:01:23,477.794158395 And so I'm so excited to have a conversation with you today. 15 00:01:24,967.794158395 --> 00:01:27,277.796158395 Yeah, this work is a deep passion for me. 16 00:01:27,277.796158395 --> 00:01:29,557.796158395 So every day that I get to do it's exciting. 17 00:01:30,407.796158395 --> 00:01:30,757.796158395 Yeah. 18 00:01:30,757.796158395 --> 00:01:31,537.796158395 So that's so awesome. 19 00:01:31,757.796158395 --> 00:01:36,857.795158395 Well, before we hop into our conversation, I love to ask this question of all my guests. 20 00:01:37,152.796158395 --> 00:01:49,262.79515839 What is your favorite hobby? It feels cliche to say because it's been my favorite hobby for about five years now, but probably Dungeons and Dragons. 21 00:01:50,272.79615839 --> 00:01:50,872.79615839 Oh, fun. 22 00:01:51,182.79615839 --> 00:01:51,782.79615839 That's fun. 23 00:01:51,782.79615839 --> 00:01:55,672.79615839 I think gaming is something I have a son that really loves gaming. 24 00:01:55,682.79615839 --> 00:01:57,422.79615839 And so like that's a whole community. 25 00:01:58,192.79515839 --> 00:02:02,162.79615839 And when you're in the gaming community, and Dungeons and Dragons has a huge community. 26 00:02:03,142.79615839 --> 00:02:04,472.79615839 Yeah, definitely. 27 00:02:04,542.79615839 --> 00:02:15,712.79515839 I think there's definitely an element of envisioning and building the world that you want to see and create that intersects a lot with organizing and with role play in general. 28 00:02:16,772.79515839 --> 00:02:17,312.79515839 Yeah. 29 00:02:17,582.79415839 --> 00:02:18,982.79515839 Oh, I like that way of thinking. 30 00:02:18,982.79515839 --> 00:02:21,112.79515839 Like you get to, it's a creation thing. 31 00:02:21,402.79515839 --> 00:02:29,122.79515839 I really have been thinking a lot about the creative ways that people build the world that they want. 32 00:02:29,162.79515839 --> 00:02:31,492.79515839 And so, so it kind of fits into that. 33 00:02:33,542.79515839 --> 00:02:41,172.79515839 So A-Nya, can you tell our listeners a little bit about yourself and about the work that you do? Yeah, of course. 34 00:02:41,222.79515839 --> 00:02:44,502.79515839 So my name is Anaya Badger. 35 00:02:44,532.79515839 --> 00:02:47,982.79515839 I am a Kanawha County resident. 36 00:02:48,642.79515839 --> 00:02:51,222.79415839 I've been organizing since I was in high school. 37 00:02:51,312.79515839 --> 00:02:53,362.79615839 So for a good bit. 38 00:02:54,12.79615839 --> 00:03:03,532.79715839 And what do I do at Fairshake? I mean, anything that people need or want me to do that moves their vision into action. 39 00:03:03,542.79715839 --> 00:03:13,452.79715839 So like formally, Most of my time is spent working on a water quality grant right now to mitigate PFAS and the panhandles of the state. 40 00:03:14,262.79715839 --> 00:03:29,252.79715839 But also a lot of my days look like helping people figure out how to coordinate and do advocacy work or just like collective power to get their power back in their building. 41 00:03:29,272.79715839 --> 00:03:31,382.79715839 One of my coworkers did that a little bit ago. 42 00:03:32,112.79715839 --> 00:03:40,842.79715839 Or talk about like, why are there so much like over punishment in schools specifically of like children of color and things like that. 43 00:03:41,412.79715839 --> 00:03:51,562.79715839 So a lot of it is just being the bridge or the catalyst or like the facilitator to carry people's ideas and hopes into some kind of realization. 44 00:03:53,222.79715839 --> 00:03:53,582.79715839 Awesome. 45 00:03:53,772.79715839 --> 00:04:00,702.79715839 So I want to just let our listeners know that you're in West Virginia, because we have a lot of listeners who aren't in West Virginia right. 46 00:04:01,352.79715839 --> 00:04:04,372.79715839 So you do a lot of your advocacy work in West Virginia. 47 00:04:06,362.79715839 --> 00:04:06,742.79715839 Excuse me. 48 00:04:07,842.79715839 --> 00:04:22,972.79615839 I think so, you know, I work with so many nonprofits and we, and my work is really focused on fundraising and grant writing and training organizations to be successful at that for sustainability purposes. 49 00:04:22,972.89615839 --> 00:04:30,912.79715839 But I think that the work that you do at fair shake addresses sustainability in a different way, because it really looks at. 50 00:04:31,482.79715839 --> 00:04:46,577.79715839 Why, like, why do we have some of these social problems that we're experiencing that our nonprofits have to address, right? So, so go ahead. 51 00:04:47,517.79715839 --> 00:04:49,847.79715839 Oh, I was just like, yeah, I definitely agree. 52 00:04:49,897.79715839 --> 00:04:56,787.79715839 And it's a very tricky thing to navigate because it's really overwhelming also, especially when you're like first starting out. 53 00:04:59,87.79715839 --> 00:04:59,477.79665839 Yeah. 54 00:04:59,477.79665839 --> 00:05:12,77.79715839 And I don't, I don't know that a lot of organizations have really thought about like, how do I start? advocating for change in the community, sometimes that happens later, you know, in, in the nonprofit work. 55 00:05:12,447.79715839 --> 00:05:15,257.79715839 So how does fair shake go about. 56 00:05:15,977.79715839 --> 00:05:22,837.79715839 addressing sustainable changes in a community when like, so I know that you deal with a lot of environmental issues. 57 00:05:22,847.79715839 --> 00:05:27,747.79715839 So that's a big thing to address when we're looking at sustainable change. 58 00:05:28,107.79615839 --> 00:05:40,797.79615839 What are some of the things that you do as an organization to consider how to, I don't, sorry, I'm not asking, well, how to start that work to start the sustainable changes. 59 00:05:44,372.79615839 --> 00:05:49,462.79615839 I think that's a really important thing to consider and a question to always ask in doing the work. 60 00:05:51,37.79615839 --> 00:06:02,597.79615839 I think the first thing, especially depending on you as the advocate or initiator in the work, consider your role and proximity to the issue you're trying to work on. 61 00:06:03,97.79615839 --> 00:06:15,457.79615839 And especially if you're an outside entity to the issue or community that you're trying to help or affect change in making sure that you're centering the people that will actually be impacted by the work that you do. 62 00:06:15,887.79615839 --> 00:06:26,77.79615839 And I think a big key in sustainability is not being prescriptive and instead following the lead of the people you're trying to help. 63 00:06:26,837.7961584 --> 00:06:36,437.7971584 Because one way to get to a project fizzling out is saying, Hello community, I'm here to do X thing. 64 00:06:37,167.79715839 --> 00:06:40,317.7971584 listens, it listens, and then they're just like crickets. 65 00:06:40,887.7971584 --> 00:07:52,767.6961584 Instead you should be like, oh hello guys, like what are, what, ask them what they're interested in or what is their biggest problem and figure out how to mold your mission and goals to fit what is their top concerns, right? And so that's like the key thing that I think guides a lot of our work because we don't do any issue campaigning really or any like big initiatives of like we think this should happen all of our work is like okay what does the community want what is feeling critical for the people that we're here to be in service of and i think that's something that definitely has been lost in a lot of non profit space, especially if the work, I'm trying to say this in the right way, because it definitely has a place, but if you're chasing certain kinds of grants, I'd say, if you're trying to let the work be molded by, like, these different grant requirements rather than, like, focusing on the needs of the people I don't think I said that quite right, but does that come across right? Like, being like, Oh, okay. 66 00:07:52,767.6961584 --> 00:07:58,457.6961584 We want to hit this metric rather than like, and like forcing it into the community rather than. 67 00:07:58,822.6961584 --> 00:07:59,912.6961584 Following their leads. 68 00:08:01,132.6961584 --> 00:08:04,62.6961584 Yeah, actually, I think that that's a great point. 69 00:08:04,92.6961584 --> 00:08:24,87.6961584 And I talk about with nonprofits all the time, the importance of aligning with funders, right? Aligning with funders and making sure that the work that they Are interested in investing in is the same work that you're interested in doing or the same work that your community is interested in having. 70 00:08:24,387.6961584 --> 00:08:29,207.6961584 And I've really seen that a lot with my rural in my work with rural communities. 71 00:08:29,837.6951584 --> 00:08:32,577.6951584 A lot of times rural communities feel like. 72 00:08:33,857.6961584 --> 00:08:39,887.6961584 Outsiders come in and tell them how they're supposed to be and they do it because they got a grant to do it. 73 00:08:40,237.6961584 --> 00:08:41,807.6961584 And then they leave. 74 00:08:42,197.6961584 --> 00:08:44,457.6951584 And so like, it actually wasn't. 75 00:08:46,12.6961584 --> 00:09:06,792.6961584 As meaningful or impactful as the organization might have wanted because they they didn't align well with both the community that they're serving as well as the the funders, right? So sometimes funders are wanting to see a specific change, but that may not always be the change that you want to see in the community. 76 00:09:06,792.6961584 --> 00:09:13,332.6961584 So you need to make sure up front that there's good alignment for that investment to be the right investment for your community. 77 00:09:14,687.6961584 --> 00:09:15,997.6961584 Yes, exactly. 78 00:09:15,997.6961584 --> 00:09:46,417.6961584 And I think hmm, I think if you're not careful also even if you are a good willed do gooder As is the nature of all institutions and systems, without intentional care you can become I'm forgetting the word, but like, not patronizing, but like, kind of like paternal paternalistic to communities when you have not even introduced yourself, maybe and gained it. 79 00:09:46,792.6961584 --> 00:09:48,502.6961584 Relationship building and trust. 80 00:09:49,92.6961584 --> 00:10:00,812.6961584 And so that causes a lot of suspicion and harm for folks and makes it even harder for the next well intentioned group to come in especially if they have the right intentions. 81 00:10:00,862.6971584 --> 00:11:09,187.6971584 They won't even get that first foothold because I think, especially in West Virginia, there's this General feel that like the non profit groups that come into the tiny rural towns will just leave and they will have to maintain whatever structures are there without this extra help that they've gotten which leads me into the next thing I wanted to say about sustainability is like making sure whatever work you do is either like easily replicated or Able to be carried out or making best use of your funding to get the initiative or project shored up in a way that it can be more easily carried out and have longevity because, like, having a community center is great, but if it's reliant on a one year grant it will be great for that one year and then, you know, fall into disrepair rather than investing in building skills and resilience and knowledge and or setting them up with like perpetual funding sources or finding ways to keep whatever thing you're having alive. 82 00:11:09,717.6971584 --> 00:11:13,867.6971584 Cause I think it betrays a lot of the hope people have when people come and go so much. 83 00:11:14,682.6971584 --> 00:11:40,477.5971584 Yeah, yeah, yeah, I think another thing that, you know, that really resonates with me is that I talk about capacity building a lot, and that capacity building is making sure that you're still around to be able to do the good work and so like, when we're looking for funding, we're not looking for funding necessarily just for one year but we want to build structures that will endure and, and yeah, yeah. 84 00:11:41,247.6971584 --> 00:11:54,267.6971584 One of the things that I have so appreciated as I've worked with fair shake in the community is the way that they have built in the community feedback loop. 85 00:11:54,297.6971584 --> 00:11:59,507.6981584 And I think that that's so, in our work that we've done here in Parkersburg. 86 00:12:02,57.6981584 --> 00:12:12,367.6981584 Each year we have held opportunities in the in the region and had community members kind of share what their vision for their community is. 87 00:12:12,847.6971584 --> 00:12:42,362.6981584 And the goal has been to pass that vision on, right? And so I, I think that nonprofits who are building some sustainable funding and looking at sustainable practices like that's a really beautiful thing to be able to have that real raw feedback from the community about what's working and what's not working in real ways. 88 00:12:42,722.6981584 --> 00:12:46,562.6981584 So, can you tell me a little bit about the. 89 00:12:48,202.6981584 --> 00:12:53,92.6981584 The philosophy and the practices that you utilize them in other communities. 90 00:12:53,342.6981584 --> 00:13:03,322.6981584 I am a little I'm familiar with your work here in Parkersburg, but do you have like a structure that you kind of follow to make sure that you get that community feedback and buy in. 91 00:13:05,737.6981584 --> 00:13:43,977.6991584 Hmm, we don't quite have like a, here's the community engagement 101 handbook, because it is very case by case, I'd say, but the thing that's at the core of it all is always being genuine, like not being Stiffy or like a stuffy suit from a c suite in a big city being like just the neighbor down the street and like being, meeting people where they're at emotionally and like, political analysis wise or like consciousness wise of like intersection issues or things like that. 92 00:13:44,907.6991584 --> 00:13:49,927.6991584 So compassion and consideration is always at the core of those things. 93 00:13:50,817.6991584 --> 00:13:54,777.6991584 And I think also a huge dose of humility as well. 94 00:13:55,717.6991584 --> 00:14:22,137.6991584 Because how to think of the best way to like put it People aren't going to trust you if they don't think that they can be safe with you and so you're not going to really get trust or feedback or buy in if you are, like, the cartoon version of, like, an out of town corporation that just wants to extract from places. 95 00:14:22,862.6991584 --> 00:14:49,107.6991584 And I think also a lot of that is supported by our reciprocity that we have with community groups, because even though we are environment and democracy, It wouldn't be uncommon to see us show up at like a community fish fry or like a fundraiser for a little league game because it still fits our mission of community engagement, community education. 96 00:14:49,537.6991584 --> 00:15:02,957.6991584 But it also is invaluable to just be present to break down that essence of being outside when you're being present within. 97 00:15:04,857.6991584 --> 00:15:05,807.6991584 I like that. 98 00:15:06,697.6991584 --> 00:15:11,372.6991584 I like that a lot like And I agree the reciprocity. 99 00:15:11,542.6991584 --> 00:15:27,22.6981584 You know, I think that that's really important and I think when organizations to receive the blessing of grants and they receive the blessings of funds, you know, thinking of ways to reciprocate. 100 00:15:27,982.6991584 --> 00:15:31,652.6991584 With their community partners is so important. 101 00:15:32,242.6991584 --> 00:15:49,602.6991584 One of the strategies that I've utilized in my grant work is that all of the partners get some money like I, you know, if the partners are not getting are not able to participate in, in the fund that in the funds that we're receiving. 102 00:15:50,597.6991584 --> 00:16:07,667.6981584 then what else can I do to help support their work? You know, maybe it's that the funding can provide curriculum that we can all use, or maybe it's that, you know, we are able to purchase the valued thing that they needed. 103 00:16:07,667.6991584 --> 00:16:16,207.6991584 And in a grant that I got recently the organization wasn't actually able to take the, the grant funds because of their structures. 104 00:16:16,552.6991584 --> 00:16:26,372.6991584 And so we were able to buy them a community garden which was so awesome because we were working on providing healthy foods for the community. 105 00:16:26,382.6991584 --> 00:16:31,522.6986584 And like, they were like, this will be sustainable if we can have a community garden where people can come. 106 00:16:31,522.6986584 --> 00:16:35,752.6986584 And so like, I think like that reciprocity thing is not a little thing. 107 00:16:35,752.6986584 --> 00:16:37,922.6991584 It's so meaningful. 108 00:16:38,532.6991584 --> 00:16:43,72.6991584 And it really helps build strong relationships, you know, with people. 109 00:16:43,637.6991584 --> 00:16:50,637.6991584 our partners as well as with the donors in the community, you know, to recognize that they're doing good work too. 110 00:16:53,37.6991584 --> 00:16:53,947.6991584 Yeah, exactly. 111 00:16:53,947.6991584 --> 00:16:54,997.6991584 I completely agree. 112 00:16:55,997.6991584 --> 00:16:56,447.6991584 Yeah. 113 00:16:56,977.6991584 --> 00:17:03,857.6991584 So can you share with our listeners kind of a case study or. 114 00:17:04,287.6991584 --> 00:17:06,777.6991584 Like your favorite story. 115 00:17:06,777.6991584 --> 00:17:16,887.6991584 I always, I always think every person who works at a nonprofit has this favorite story about something they saw or witnessed or part of, because it was just so amazing. 116 00:17:16,897.6991584 --> 00:17:21,707.6981584 It's that miracle moment where you're like, yes, this is why I do this work. 117 00:17:21,747.6981584 --> 00:17:26,877.6991584 Do you have a story like that? Hmm, there's so many. 118 00:17:27,27.6991584 --> 00:17:29,97.6991584 Let me think about that. 119 00:17:29,657.6991584 --> 00:17:48,722.6991584 It's hard to pick just one, right? I think something that's so unique about What we do, right, is that we're not just the typical nonprofit that does like organizing work or like progressive change work or like community resourcing and capacity building. 120 00:17:49,42.6991584 --> 00:18:09,422.7001584 We also have our legal program that helps people pull levers of power that they usually wouldn't have access to because affordable or free legal representation is so few and far between, right? And so, I think, hmm, I'm trying to think. 121 00:18:12,122.7001584 --> 00:18:14,742.7001584 There are so many different things. 122 00:18:15,502.7001584 --> 00:18:48,62.6991584 As for like the community education side of it I worked with a local group to put on a democracy lab, like, how is democracy working in our city? And We got to talk to people and, like, hear what they thought things worked like, or, like, how they thought things could go and seeing people's, like, gears start to turn mentally and being, being like, I can do something, or, like, seeing their mental belief rise. 123 00:18:48,457.6991584 --> 00:19:01,727.6991584 in the efficacy of their individual power and collective action is just really magical and something that keeps motivating me to do the work, even though it's really hard to do, especially in West Virginia. 124 00:19:02,227.6981584 --> 00:19:13,787.6971584 Because I think there's so much often created to help or not help, but created to like make people feel despair or apathy or nihilism. 125 00:19:14,197.6981584 --> 00:19:26,247.6981584 And so, being hopeful is like transgressive and radical and a landscape that is so flooded with despair and exhaustion. 126 00:19:26,247.6981584 --> 00:19:26,727.6981584 Right. 127 00:19:27,297.6981584 --> 00:19:44,862.6981584 And so, Getting to use my career and professional capacity as like working with Flareshake and other partnerships to be able to help guide people along from being like, I don't know why this thing is like that, and it's inconvenient and I don't like it, to being like, Hmm. 128 00:19:44,912.6981584 --> 00:20:02,722.6971584 Well, I'm gonna go do this action or go speak at city council or meet with my local legislator to talk about why is this thing like that? Moving from just noticing to acting is really powerful and inspiring for me. 129 00:20:03,62.6971584 --> 00:20:03,402.6971584 Mm hmm. 130 00:20:03,492.6971584 --> 00:20:13,232.6971584 And I think too On the legal side of things, there are so many different things that I get to hear about working with our legal team. 131 00:20:13,772.6971584 --> 00:20:17,142.6961584 I'm trying to think, I have them send me some things because I am not a lawyer. 132 00:20:17,142.6961584 --> 00:20:18,252.6971584 I always have to say that. 133 00:20:18,912.6961584 --> 00:20:35,232.6971584 But it's always really powerful to be like, yeah, I'm going to go get my really talented friend to help you engage with this scary process and protect them from something that Can often be really exploitative to people with low resources or low knowledge on how situations work. 134 00:20:35,232.6971584 --> 00:20:35,642.6971584 Right. 135 00:20:36,572.6971584 --> 00:20:38,412.6971584 And so, let me see. 136 00:20:38,712.6961584 --> 00:20:43,562.5961584 I, it kind of brings to mind the words, like, you get to manifest hope. 137 00:20:43,802.5971584 --> 00:20:45,372.5961584 Right? Mm hmm. 138 00:20:45,372.5981584 --> 00:20:46,512.5961584 That's so awesome. 139 00:20:46,522.5971584 --> 00:20:47,342.5971584 Manifesting hope. 140 00:20:50,332.5971584 --> 00:20:50,902.5971584 Yeah. 141 00:20:50,922.5971584 --> 00:20:51,382.5971584 So. 142 00:20:51,732.5971584 --> 00:21:16,532.5961584 A couple things they shared with me about, like, things that they did that they thought were some of their favorites was, like, that we got to support a neighborhood partnership in the expansion of their countywide home repair program, from including only owner occupied homes to homes that are tenant occupied as well, and educating managers on the legal responsibilities of landlords in homes with existing lead hazards. 143 00:21:17,322.5971584 --> 00:21:33,792.5971584 And so that intersects with just like, oh, my like kids are getting sick in this house that I rent to like here are some like legal protections and like actually you have these rights and we're here to help enforce them or do that legal advocacy work as well. 144 00:21:34,812.5971584 --> 00:21:36,212.5971584 Yeah, that's awesome. 145 00:21:36,222.5971584 --> 00:21:45,472.5961584 Like, I mean, that's why we're all in the nonprofit sector, right? Because we want to be able to see these amazing things happen because we know they can. 146 00:21:45,732.5971584 --> 00:21:49,72.5971584 And so you're getting to be able to be like that facilitator. 147 00:21:49,72.5971584 --> 00:21:55,482.5961584 And I think that's so awesome to be able to witness you know, to be able to witness period. 148 00:21:55,502.5961584 --> 00:21:57,22.5971584 Like, I think that's pretty amazing. 149 00:21:58,482.5971584 --> 00:22:07,502.5971584 So, so tell us how our listeners can get in touch with you, who you serve, And when it would make sense to contact you at Fairshake. 150 00:22:08,812.5971584 --> 00:22:14,252.5971584 Yeah so how to get in contact with Fairshake in general. 151 00:22:14,582.5971584 --> 00:22:17,832.5971584 We have our website fairshake els. 152 00:22:17,832.5971584 --> 00:22:18,42.5971584 com. 153 00:22:18,42.5971584 --> 00:22:19,462.5971584 Let me double check that. 154 00:22:20,222.5971584 --> 00:22:23,452.5971584 I go to this website all the time and I should have it memorized by now. 155 00:22:24,322.5971584 --> 00:22:26,852.5971584 Yeah, Fairshake, fairshake ELS. 156 00:22:26,882.5971584 --> 00:22:32,662.5971584 org has all our resources, has our intake form for legal representation. 157 00:22:33,552.5971584 --> 00:22:35,612.5971584 Info at fairshake. 158 00:22:35,652.5961584 --> 00:22:38,452.5971584 org is like the general contact email. 159 00:22:38,452.5971584 --> 00:22:48,272.5971584 We have a general contact number on there, but my personal Fairshake email is abadger at fairshake els. 160 00:22:48,572.5971584 --> 00:22:49,12.5971584 org. 161 00:22:49,722.5971584 --> 00:22:52,42.5971584 And happy to reach out to folks. 162 00:22:52,112.5961584 --> 00:22:56,322.5961584 That are interested in talking about, like, democracy, education, engagement, and things like that. 163 00:22:56,792.5961584 --> 00:23:15,222.5931584 We work in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia, for the most part but also are open to talking with people outside of that region because organizing principles are pretty universal But there are more restrictions on the legal side because of like, you know, certifications and things like that. 164 00:23:15,582.5931584 --> 00:23:23,772.5911584 So not as helpful outside of those areas for legal, but you know, could run questions by us and we usually have connections or referrals. 165 00:23:24,412.5921584 --> 00:23:32,62.5931584 And so talking about how to do democracy education or how to talk about community benefits or things like that. 166 00:23:32,92.5931584 --> 00:23:35,122.5921584 We have resources, information, things like that. 167 00:23:35,682.5931584 --> 00:23:41,192.5931584 So I guess if you're curious and just want to move your vision into action, reach out to us. 168 00:23:42,412.5931584 --> 00:23:43,132.5931584 Awesome. 169 00:23:43,302.5931584 --> 00:23:44,62.5931584 That's great. 170 00:23:44,82.5931584 --> 00:23:46,942.5931584 Thank you so much for, for sharing that. 171 00:23:46,972.5931584 --> 00:23:50,312.5931584 And I like to ask, I like to save one more question for after that. 172 00:23:50,342.5931584 --> 00:24:05,412.5931584 My guests are always, they always think that's the wrap up, but is there any, like, is there any piece of advice that you just want to give nonprofits as they go and do the good work that they're doing? Anything that you would recommend or any tips, tricks, advice. 173 00:24:06,22.5931584 --> 00:24:08,752.5931584 Or just goodwill that you would like to share. 174 00:24:10,22.5931584 --> 00:24:10,852.5931584 Hmm. 175 00:24:12,322.5931584 --> 00:24:34,222.5941584 That made me think of one thing too, that we don't, I guess, talk about a lot that we do, but we like help people with nonprofit and corporation, and that makes me think of the thing that people don't talk about often, which is like, really be sure that like your administrative side is like straightened out and organized. 176 00:24:34,792.5941584 --> 00:25:06,162.5941584 Because doing the work is like really impactful and really important and you don't want to get tripped up by like a misplaced document or an unfiled thing or like an audit or something to distract you from being able to put your efforts where they like make the most impact, right? So like keeping the hope and making things easier for yourself later by being organized and making sure you're like checking all your boxes and have your admin side squared away. 177 00:25:07,217.5941584 --> 00:25:08,367.5941584 I think that's great advice. 178 00:25:08,367.5941584 --> 00:25:23,757.5941584 I think that you know, there are some legal areas where nonprofits just need to be aware and they need to be on top of the paperwork, you know, they have to file annual reports and file specific Oh, what do you call them? Forms each year. 179 00:25:23,757.5951584 --> 00:25:25,827.5951584 And so I, I think that's great advice. 180 00:25:25,867.5951584 --> 00:25:27,337.5951584 Thank you so much for that. 181 00:25:28,197.5951584 --> 00:25:33,657.5951584 Thank you Anaya, for coming and visiting with us today on Nonprofit 4 1 1. 182 00:25:33,687.5951584 --> 00:25:39,747.5951584 It was such a blessing to have you and to our listeners, I wanna thank you for tuning in this week. 183 00:25:40,267.5951584 --> 00:25:42,577.5951584 Tune back in for the next one. 184 00:25:42,577.5951584 --> 00:25:50,127.5951584 We always enjoy having you here and we hope that you can continue to do your good work and make amazing things happen. 185 00:25:50,877.5951584 --> 00:25:51,957.5951584 Thanks and have a good day. 186 00:25:58,281.9576623 --> 00:26:01,611.9576623 Thank you so much for tuning in to this episode of Nonprofit411. 187 00:26:02,61.9576623 --> 00:26:05,641.9576623 I hope you found today's conversation as insightful and inspiring as I did. 188 00:26:06,231.9576623 --> 00:26:09,591.9566623 Remember, building a healthy nonprofit requires a holistic approach. 189 00:26:09,911.9576623 --> 00:26:16,731.8576623 There are many resources available to support your staff and we're dedicated to helping your organization access what it needs to thrive. 190 00:26:17,511.9576623 --> 00:26:21,751.9576623 One key to creating a thriving organization is a diverse fundraising strategy. 191 00:26:22,281.9576623 --> 00:26:26,151.9576623 While grants are an important part of that strategy, they're just one piece of the overall puzzle. 192 00:26:26,971.9566623 --> 00:26:32,391.9566623 If you're looking to strengthen your grant writing skills as part of this bigger picture, I've got a resource to help you get started. 193 00:26:32,941.9576623 --> 00:26:41,241.9576623 Download my free grant writing guide, packed with practical tips and best practices to help you craft proposals that align with your overall fundraising goals. 194 00:26:41,731.9576623 --> 00:26:43,221.9576623 You'll find the link in the show notes. 195 00:26:43,491.9576623 --> 00:26:49,661.9576623 And as always, if you enjoyed today's episode, Please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your fellow changemakers. 196 00:26:50,261.9576623 --> 00:26:52,861.9576623 Let's work together to build a vibrant nonprofit community. 197 00:26:53,181.9576623 --> 00:26:56,187.2637847 Until next time, keep pushing forward and making a difference. 198 00:26:56,719.4415377 --> 00:27:02,789.4415377 Nonprofit leaders know that funding is key to making a lasting impact, but finding the right approach can be challenging. 199 00:27:03,269.4415377 --> 00:27:10,119.4415377 At Nonprofit 411, we understand that grants are just one piece of the puzzle, but an important skill for every nonprofit to master. 200 00:27:10,579.4405377 --> 00:27:17,9.4415377 That's why we created the Grant Writing Proposal Guide to help you turn your mission into actionable plans that attract funding. 201 00:27:17,539.4415377 --> 00:27:20,409.4415377 Let us support you in taking your fundraising to the next level. 202 00:27:20,859.4415377 --> 00:27:23,219.4415377 Download the Grant Writing Proposal Guide at Nonprofit411. 203 00:27:23,229.4415377 --> 00:27:26,229.4415377 org today, and let's build a stronger future together.
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