Shukurat Adamoh-Faniyan, Executive Director of Reading Partners DC, joins the show and we cover a lot of topics, like why every organization should have a level of flexibility when it comes to their work, how to balance short-term metrics with long-terms goals, and funders’ actual role in community-centered fundraising. Shukurat is an inspiring leader that is asking her staff to think completely differently about how they address the work - it’s not about just continuing to provide services for the long haul, she’s asking them what it would look like to eradicate the literacy gap in the first place. She challenges us to ask - are we even out here trying to solve the right problems? Listen to this episode where we explore the importance of mutual and self-interest, sharing our stories, and the need to respect community leadership and expertise when it comes to human work. This episode is one of two episodes released on the first week of February in honor of Black History Month. We respect, listen to, and learn from so many incredible Black women every day, and are grateful for the wisdom they share on What the Fundraising this week and throughout the year.

Episode highlights: 

(02:23) - Get to know Shukurat: A nonprofit leader rooted in the importance of community involvement through education.

(05:19) - Virtual volunteer management: How was it like to lead Reading Partners through the pandemic crisis?

(11:16) - On the complexity of education funding and how the relationship with funders changed while building a new model of work.

(17:10) - How do we eradicate this problem?: Asking the right questions to shift the conversation around conscious education investment.

(28:51) - “Is this sector here just so we feel good?”: Understanding the funders’ actual role in community-centered fundraising.

(35:07) - Shukurat’s experience as Executive Director of Reading Partners DC: How has the fundraising work impacted her self-development?

(39:47) - How can we fix the dynamic?: On self-interest and the importance of sharing stories to make a change.

(49:46) - Shukurat’s contact and how to reach out to Reading Partners DC to know more about them and become a volunteer.