How Nonprofit Fundraising Can Drive Real Change: Insights from Huda Al-Saedy

Fundraising isn’t just about securing donations—it’s about embedding justice, equity, diversity, inclusion, and reconciliation into every aspect of the process. In this episode of The Small Nonprofit Podcast, Maria sits down with Huda Al-Saedy, Director of Philanthropy at Ecojustice, to explore how nonprofits can align their fundraising practices with their core values. 

From redefining policies to centering Indigenous voices, Huda shares how Ecojustice has built authentic donor relationships, empowered its team, and addressed systemic inequities. Whether you’re a nonprofit leader or a fundraiser looking to create meaningful change, this conversation will help you rethink how you approach philanthropy with an equity-driven mindset. 

Nonprofit Inclusive and Indigenized Philanthropy – The Highlights: 

• Building a diverse and inclusive team: Learn how Ecojustice attracts and retains diverse staff through inclusive hiring practices and equitable workplace policies. 
• Redefining donor engagement: Discover how to have honest conversations with donors about Indigenous reconciliation and systemic inequities. 
• Shifting the narrative: How Ecojustice positions donors as partners and highlights Indigenous and marginalized communities as leaders in environmental justice. 
• Supportive philanthropy: Ecojustice’s approach to sharing resources, supporting smaller organizations, and promoting equitable funding. 
• Policy in action: Why they introduced a land back policy and how it’s reshaping their approach to accepting gifts of land. 

🎧 Listen to more episodes for actionable fundraising tips and insights on nonprofit leadership, nonprofit governance, donor retention, productivity & tools, and donor engagement strategies that work! We're here to eliminate nonprofit burnout and boost your donations! 

About Huda Al-Saedy 

Huda is a purposeful environmentalist, non-profit leader, and fundraiser. With justice serving as her core value and a profound passion for driving change, her nonprofit career began 20 years ago where she fervently campaigned to eradicate child poverty in the UK. It was here that she first witnessed the stark reality: marginalized communities, shackled by socioeconomic disparity, are disproportionately impacted by poor air and water quality. Venturing further, she then worked in the Middle East supporting refugees displaced by wars driven by the global obsession with oil and gas, witnessing firsthand the intricate web of ecological devastation it spins across continents. 

Connect with Us: 

• Maria Rio – Connect on LinkedIn 
• Ecojustice – Learn More 
• Huda Al-Saedy – Connect on LinkedIn 

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Watch this episode on Youtube. 

Coming Next Week: 

P.S. Join us next week as we dive into the gender divide in nonprofit leadership — why it persists, how it impacts organizations, and what we can do to create more equitable leadership opportunities. 

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