Nest Makers United: The Indigenous Artisan Collective

There are currently 574 Federally Recognized Tribes in the US, in addition to state-recognized tribal nations and those with their tribal status terminated. The First Peoples Fund's report highlights that around 30% of all Native peoples are practicing or potential artists, showcasing the vast artistry and diversity of craft across Indigenous communities. For instance, on Pine Ridge Reservation, 51% of Native households rely on home-based enterprises for cash income and nearly 79% of these involve some form of traditional arts. This demonstrates that art carries significant cultural meaning and offers economic independence for Indigenous communities.

Native culture and craft are deeply connected through the preservation of tradition, history, and knowledge. Craft techniques like weaving, beading, lapidary, and silverwork (among others) often highlight the maker's heritage and communal ties. While craft can be the key to economic security for Indigenous artists and makers, more support is needed. According to a 2019 study by American Express on the state of women-owned businesses, Indigenous women-owned businesses have been growing faster than average in the last five years. If these businesses had the same revenues as those owned by white women, they could add $27,102,284 to the economy.

For Indigenous communities, the pandemic exacerbated pre-existing social, economic, and health disparities. For example, according to a July 2020  New York Times article, Native American and Alaska Native people in New Mexico, comprising 9% of the population, accounted for nearly 40% of virus cases. The consequences are unrelated to health and well-being. The unemployment rates in Native American and Indigenous communities may be three times higher than the national average. Furthermore, canceling local and regional craft fairs during the pandemic has resulted in a significant loss of income for many Indigenous crafters as they rely on these events for selling their products.

In addition, as per the United States Census Bureau report: Poverty in the United States 2021, the American Indians and Alaska Natives had the highest poverty rate. The First Peoples Fund's report also emphasizes that most of the Native practicing or potential artists often live below the poverty line and are more often than not, home-based.

Therefore, Nest conducted an Indigenous American Makers Landscape Survey to understand the resource accessibility and barriers faced by Indigenous makers, with the aim of providing support for preserving cultural craft traditions. This survey involved Qualtrics survey software and was carried out in 13 states, with participation from 29 tribal affiliations. In addition, we held community discussions and conducted individual interviews with 29 makers identified through community manager contacts and online and social media research.

Our survey revealed that Indigenous American makers need support in various areas to thrive in their businesses. These include sales opportunities, marketing strategies, financial planning, intellectual property protection, funding, mentorship, and networking with fellow craft entrepreneurs.

Investing in Indigenous American makers is essential to address the significant challenges they encounter. By providing support and resources, we can preserve cultural heritage, stimulate economic growth, reduce inequality, and improve the well-being of Indigenous communities.

Nest aims to assist Indigenous maker entrepreneurs by offering free, easily accessible capacity-building resources designed specifically with their insights and needs at the forefront. Additionally, Nest leverages its industry role to create expanded and new market opportunities through e-commerce and brand partnerships that are human-centered design. This solution includes connecting them with a nationwide network of makers intending to help achieve business viability and financial stability.

Nest has embraced a collaborative approach to address challenges, working closely with Native community organizations and Native artists. To ensure a Native-conscious and co-created approach, partnerships were formed with Native-led organizations in the US and the Native Advisory Council, composed of women Native leaders in the arts and social services with diverse tribal affiliations. 

These include Cecily Engelhart (Ihanktonwan & Oglala Lakota) of Hope Nation, a Native woman-owned company, and a consultant (Narragansett/Choctaw) affiliated with the Northeast Indigenous Arts Alliance. Jordan Naylor, a member of the Choctaw Nation, led market access programming alongside the Nest Team. 

These collaborations resulted in redesigned program initiatives, brand collaborations reflecting Indigenous voices, The Handwork Landscape: Indigenous American Makers report, and a successful e-commerce program with Etsy. Additionally, Nest established a Native Advisory Council consisting of women Native leaders with diverse tribal affiliations, including Cherokee Nation and Navajo. Senior advisors affiliated with prominent institutions such as the Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian, IMAGEN, and the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian provided guidance and expertise.

To make positive impacts, program implementation includes: 

• Sharing an Interactive Digital Resource Directory to Build Community: Nest intends to make its interactive digital resource directory, which comprises 200+ entities offering support for Native artists/makers, available to the Indigenous maker community and relevant stakeholders. The aim is to provide guidance and opportunities for potential partnerships to facilitate content development and program implementation. While Nest has completed the research, to ensure high usability and impact, it needs to be transitioning to an online and searchable format.

• Creating Tailor-made Education Series on Relevant Topics: We recognize the significance of protecting intellectual property (IP) in preserving crafts. Nest will collaborate with cultural IP experts to provide educational courses, digital tools, and templates for artisan leaders and craft entrepreneurs. The resources will focus on safeguarding individual designs, cultural IP, and establishing licensing and royalty programs. The series will also develop principles to prevent cultural appropriation in design collaborations and offer guidance on addressing such issues.

• Providing Skill Development Through In-person and Online Training and Workshops: We will deliver high-quality training and workshops covering topics identified by our landscape survey. These topics include identifying sales opportunities for handmade products, developing effective marketing strategies, planning finances and business operations, protecting IP, securing funding and capital, receiving professional mentorship, and networking.

• Providing Market Access: Indigenous makers will be offered exclusive market access opportunities through our vast network of brands and retailers, which includes pop-ups, dedicated collections, and ongoing sourcing. These connections are made directly to promote long-term sustainability, and Nest supports the design to ensure they are maker-centric. 

Nest currently works in partnership with Indigenous American makers from 43 tribal communities across the US, who create diverse and aesthetically pleasing handcrafts with significant cultural and artistic value. 

To better understand the communities, we surveyed 13 US states, engaging 29 tribal affiliations and interviewing 29 Indigenous makers. The survey found that 85% of these makers are female and create crafts, including jewelry (68%), beading and leatherwork (38%), apparel (24%), home decor (24%), fine arts (21%), and more. 

Despite their impressive creativity, these makers face significant challenges. Nest research identified ten major business challenges faced by Indigenous makers, including limited access to capital and investment (47%), difficulty standing out and increasing online sales (47%), low brand awareness and storytelling skills (35%), limited professional services expertise (29%), lack of ready-to-use production space (26%), limited access to raw materials (18%), high costs associated with scaling (15%), limited demand for their products (14%), and difficulty finding talent and skilled workers (12%). 

Nest's research has also revealed a need for Indigenous makers to develop top business skills such as taxes and insurance (32%), marketing (32%), business planning (18%), protecting their work (15%), budgeting and bookkeeping (12%), social media (12%), pricing their work (12%), financial management (9%), and licensing (9%).

By collaboratively addressing the challenges faced by Indigenous American makers, Nest can create positive social and economic impacts while preserving their cultural traditions. We have seen this success in our work with three other communities- the quilters of Gee’s Bend in Boykin, Alabama, the Gullah basket weavers in Low Country, South Carolina, and a cohort of Afghan refugee artisans in cities across the US. 

In partnership with Etsy, Nest’s work with these three communities has resulted in over $800,00 in sales going directly to over 80 shop owners who started their businesses online on Etsy- Uplift Makers Program over the course of 2 years. In addition, Nest’s engagement improved makers’ technology literacy, with 64% reporting a significant improvement in their comfort with technology and expressing greater confidence in their ability to grow their businesses. 

The latest Etsy Uplift Makers Program launched on Indigenous Peoples Day 2022 featuring shops from Indigenous makers representing 10 Native and Indigenous groups from the US and the First Nations of Canada. The 15 shops included 12 Collective members and 3 established mentors featuring traditional Indigenous craft skills interpreted for modern home goods, jewelry, and other accessories. On launch day, the 12 members collectively sold 158 items and acquired 568 admirers (shop likes) for their new Etsy shops—with one maker noting that she had 1,773 shop visits that day.  Another maker reported 5,082 visits and over $3,000 in sales in November 2022 alone. Overall, this cohort has garnered 488 sales and continues to grow. 

These results demonstrate that through its targeted approach, Nest can support many Indigenous American makers while helping to preserve rich cultural heritage.

Nest focuses on Indigenous American makers from a range of  tribal communities:

Ho-chunk, Seminole, Creek, Choctaw, Schaghticoke Tribal Nation, Taos Pueblo, Ohkay Owingeh, Seaconke Wampanoag, Aquinnah Wampanoag, Mashantucket Pequot, Narragansett, Cherokee Nation, Nipmuc, Navajo, Dine), Hopi, Akwesasne Mohawk, Penobscot, Anishinaabe-Sicangu Lakota, Shinnecock, Spuzzum Band, Eastern Shoshone, Maliseet, Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, Sucker Creek First Nation, Osage, Oneida, Passamaquoddy, Haíłzaqv and Nuučaan̓uɫ, Seneca Nation of Indians- Cattaraugus Territory, Caddo Nation, Absentee Shawnee Tribe, Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California, Bishop Paiute Tribe, Pyramid Lake Paiute, Member Bridgeport Indian Colony-Bridgeport, Big Pine Paiute Tribe, Fallon Paiute Shoshone Tribe, Owens Valley Paiute, Pamunkey.

These tribes have cultural richness but also face social, economic, and health disparities, limited resources, and historical trauma. The pandemic worsened these challenges, with higher infection rates and income loss due to canceled craft fairs.

Nest is dedicated to supporting Indigenous makers with free and accessible resources for capacity building and market access. We partnered with Cecily Engelhart's Hope Nation, a Native woman-owned company. Working with a consultant from the Northeast Indigenous Arts Alliance, and Choctaw Nation member Jordan Naylor, Nest redesigned programs and brand collaborations to better reflect the voices of Indigenous communities. Our Native Advisory Council comprises members with Cherokee Nation and Navajo tribal affiliations and associations with the Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian and the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian.

Nest’s landscape survey identified challenges Indigenous makers face and highlighted the need for support in market access, marketing strategies, finances, IP, funding, mentorship, and networking.

To create positive impacts for Indigenous makers, Nest partnered with Etsy Uplift Makers Program and launched a cohort of 15 Indigenous makers in 2022. The cohort represented 10 Native and Indigenous groups, showcasing traditional craft skills applied to modern goods. 

On launch day, the Collective sold 158 items and gained 568 admirers, leading to increased visibility, traffic, and sales. One maker reported 5,082 visits and $3,000+ in sales in November 2022 alone. Overall, the Collective members have made 488 sales, which continues to rise, showcasing the effectiveness of Nest's approach.

One month after the launch, Lynn Wilson, owner of Cherokee Garden, expressed gratitude to Nest for its market access programming. “ I just want to take a moment to thank all of you for the opportunity to be part of the Indigenous Artisans Collective [on Etsy]. I honestly started my store last year as a way to learn more about Etsy so I could teach it in the Native communities we work with. Now I see the potential my store has to impact my life in a big way. I have been worried about making sure I have money for my son to go to college. The growth of my store through this program is helping to ease my anxiety. I'm truly indebted to all of you and am thankful for everything you have done to help me and the other Native artists.” Lynn's story validates Nest's effective support for Indigenous American makers.

To overcome these challenges and support Nest's program planning efforts for Indigenous American makers, we adopted a collaborative approach working with Native-led organizations with extensive knowledge and experience in Native maker ecosystems. Nest formed a Strategic Advisory Committee of individuals from various professional backgrounds and Native American tribal affiliations. These experts are from SWAIA, the Smithsonian, and Native Arts and Culture museums and offer guidance ensuring Nest's initiatives are grounded in critical history, context, research and complement existing efforts for success.

Implementing Partners: 

• Cecily Engelhart (Ihanktonwan & Oglala), Director of Hope Nation, a Native woman-owned company providing strategic services to organizations working in Indigenous and rural communities. Cecily has extensive experience working with First People's Fund and Thunder Valley Community Development Corporation. 

• Dawn Spears (Narragansett), Director of Northeast Indigenous Arts Alliance with 25+ years of experience as an artist, educator, and organizer supporting Indigenous arts. She has served on the Tomaquag Indian Memorial Museum and Native Americans in Philanthropy boards. 

• Etsy, an online marketplace for unique handcrafted goods, providing market access for small businesses and creative entrepreneurs, has partnered with Nest to launch Uplift Makers to support starting and growing online businesses. This initiative offers financial opportunities to artisan communities and celebrates their contributions to history and culture.

Senior Advisors:

• Andrea Hanley (Navajo Nation), chief curator at the Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian in Santa Fe. Previously served at the National Museum of the American Indian and Executive Director of ATLATL, Inc. She sits on several arts organization boards, including the Southwestern Association for Indian Arts, and advisory committees for the Santa Fe Community Foundation, Ucross Foundation, and Voices in Contemporary Art.

• Danielle Lote (Cherokee Nation), Acting Associate Director of Advancement at the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI). She helped build the NMAI's Cultural Resource Center and Washington, D.C. Museum and led fundraising efforts for NMAI's national education initiative, Native Knowledge 360.

• Kelly Hallman (Cherokee Nation), Founder/Executive Director of The Indigenous Adolescent Girls' Empowerment Network. Kelly has designed, evaluated, and strengthened programs with Indigenous communities throughout the Americas and sub-Saharan Africa. She is an advisor to various panels, studies, and Institutional Review Boards. 

Nest Team:

• Rebecca van Bergen, Founder/Executive Director, founded Nest to support women and reduce global gender and income gaps through craft. Her leadership has propelled Nest forward, reaching 315,000+ hand workers in 120 countries. Rebecca is a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader, and 2021 Elevate Prize Winner, among others.

• Nicole Franklin and Amanda Lee are project co-leads. Both have several years of nonprofit and artisan business production experience with educational backgrounds in public health, textiles, and business development. They see the power of craft as a tool for economic growth and empowerment and work closely with Indigenous makers connected to Nest. Amanda has guided the Etsy Indigenous Artisan Collective, ensuring maker voices are heard and respected. Nicole connects Indigenous makers to business resources, educational programming, market access opportunities, and community to help businesses grow and thrive.

Nest is applying to Solve because we are excited about the opportunity to join its nine-month program, which offers a range of benefits to Solver teams. As a Fellow, Nest will be a part of a cohort of Indigenous innovators working towards addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing their communities. The chance to connect and collaborate with like-minded peers would only enhance and support our work with Indigenous makers. This presents a unique opportunity to learn from and collaborate with individuals who share our passion and values. Being part of a diverse community will expose us to different perspectives, experiences, and approaches to help Nest expand its knowledge and find innovative solutions.

Another benefit is access to technology and receiving monitoring and evaluation support. MIT Solve provides access to cutting-edge technology and tools to help Nest develop and implement its ideas smoothly. This can include access to relevant in-kind resources such as software licenses. It can also help Nest scale its solutions and make a greater impact. In addition, receiving support for monitoring and evaluation can help Nest continue to establish a structured approach to collecting, analyzing, and utilizing data to assess the effectiveness of its programs, enabling us to allocate resources better, make informed decisions, and improve the quality of its programs.

Furthermore, the Indigenous Communities Fellowship at MIT Solve offers funding opportunities, mentoring, and networking opportunities with industry leaders and experts. All of these resources can help Nest accelerate the development and implementation of its solutions and connect with potential collaborators, partners, and investors.

Since 2022, both the  Director of Makers United and the Director of Market Access & Sourcing have worked diligently to support Indigenous maker entrepreneurs and their businesses to grow and thrive. 

Their journey with the Indigenous maker community included:

• listening to seek out the needs and concerns of the community

• intentional trust-building with makers

• stakeholder engagement

• promoting cultural competency

As part of Etsy's Uplift Makers Program, Amanda Lee, Nest's Director of Market Access & Sourcing, worked closely to equip and prepare maker entrepreneurs as they launched their own Etsy shops in October 2022. Amanda actively advocated for the Indigenous makers and mentors she engaged with, ensuring their voices were heard and their needs met. The Indigenous Artisans Collective launch represented 10 Indigenous groups across the US and the First Nations of Canada. Amanda worked closely with each maker to support a successful launch of their small business on Etsy and their handcraft's vital role for their families and communities. 

In tandem, Nest's Director of Makers United, Nicole Franklin, has led and guided several aspects of Nest's work with Indigenous communities. For example, she oversaw the dissemination of the landscape mapping survey in 13 states with 29 tribal affiliations, which aimed to gain insights into how Indigenous makers access resources, uncover potential barriers and determine how to support the preservation of cultural craft traditions. In preparation for the 2022 landscape survey and the Indigenous Artisan Collective launch, Nicole collaborated with the Strategic Advisory Committee and key stakeholders with Indigenous-led organizations to provide meaningful guidance. In addition, Nicole is a resource and recruitment touchpoint for Indigenous makers nationwide seeking entrepreneurial support for their craft resulting in community building with makers from many tribal affiliations.

1) Nest's Collaborative Approach to Support Indigenous American Makers:

Nest has adopted a collaborative approach to support its ongoing program planning efforts with Indigenous American makers. This approach includes partnering with Native-led organizations possessing extensive knowledge and experience in the Native maker ecosystem as well as Nest making a concerted effort in our program design to strategically include more Native makers into existing programming (Native conscious) and not create new programming intended solely for Native makers (Native specific) unless done in deep partnership with Native staff and Native-led organizations as key partners. By adopting this approach, Nest can leverage its expertise but so in a way that is led by community design and leadership. 

2) Data-Driven Approach Using Technology to Determine Support: 

Nest utilized a comprehensive approach to gather insights on the support for Indigenous American Makers. The Nest's Makers United Landscape Survey was conducted in 13 states, with participation from 29 tribal affiliations, using Qualtrics survey software. To supplement the survey data, Nest held community discussions and conducted individual interviews with 29 makers identified through community manager contacts and online research.

Through the combination of quantitative and qualitative data analysis, Nest was able to identify key trends in demographics and production practices among Native makers and artists. They require sales, marketing, finance, IP protection, funding, mentorship, and networking support. Without this support, these makers are unable to reach their full potential.

To provide further context and insights, Nest also gathered information from secondary sources such as the Department of the Interior, Indian Affairs, and American Express: The 2019 State of Women-Owned Businesses Report.

In conclusion, Nest's collaborative approach, supported by extensive research and data analysis, aims to support Indigenous American makers with the tools and resources they need to overcome challenges and achieve business success while preserving their cultural heritage.

Impact Goals for the Next Year:

• Connect with 5-10 identified Native resource centers in existing Makers United cities (Birmingham, Alabama, Austin/San Antonio, Detroit, New York City’s Garment District, Chicago, Houston, Indianapolis, St. Louis and Puerto Rico). 

• Build relationships with 5-10 Native-led organizations. Learn about their goals and objectives and how Makers United's offerings can support creative entrepreneurs in their network. Explain Makers United programming and resources and determine what engagement opportunities are available—whether that’s Nest presence at a craft market to interact with makers in-person or adding us to their list of resources for entrepreneurs.

• Create an educational curriculum to address business challenges that have been voiced from this community of makers over the past 18 months. Specifically, one educational series will focus exclusively on cultural intellectual property (IP). Nest will seek guidance from its Native Advisory Council and network of industry experts to develop the content.

• Continue working closely with Nest’s Native Advisory Council. Incorporate the Advisors’ feedback and recommendations into the development of program and resource offerings to make sure they would resonate with makers. Also consider expanding committee membership to include Native makers, who might eventually support Nest with the creation of Native-specific programming.

• Continue to offer free support services to our 12 Collective members, which include professional photography sessions, an online DIY photography workshop, individualized Etsy shop training, shipping kits, capacity-building workshops, and waived Etsy transaction fees for 12 months. The goal was to support makers in expanding their business and optimizing their online presence.

• Identify and address gaps in the Native maker ecosystem. Nest can continue to determine where it can step in to fill any existing programming gaps for Native makers, especially around market access opportunities with brand and retail partners, and directly with individual consumers, something Nest has already begun to operationalize through our partnership with the Etsy Uplift Makers program.

Impact Goals for the Next Five Years:

• Change in improved business acumen of Indigenous makers and artisans who participate in Nest programming; Success Metric is 70% Indigenous makers and artisans meet this criteria.

• Change in demand for handcraft products that can be attributed to increased responsible sourcing practices; Success Metric is 15% of Indigenous businesses demonstrate a commitment to responsible sourcing practices by participating in Nest’s Ethical Handcraft programming 

• Change in sales and revenue growth for Indigenous makers by facilitating market access and brand partnerships. Success Metric is 70% Indigenous makers and artisans meet this criterion.

• Measure and report on forecasted shifts in employment, compensation, and handworker well-being; Success Metric is the publication of white papers sharing insights and strategic research on these topics with like-minded partners.

Nest measures its program impact through qualitative and quantitative metrics using diverse tools to capture, aggregate, and analyze data from key stakeholders, including compliance evaluation, needs assessments, baseline and post-program surveys, worker surveys, on-site visits, and interviews. We have also implemented various measurement tools and methodologies to ensure that we are effectively contributing to these SDGs and creating lasting positive change in the communities we serve.

Below are key impact indicators for Nest Makers United: The Indigenous Artisan Collective: 

• 70% increase in business acumen 

• 70% increase in the application of knowledge and new skills to business 

• 80% of program participants agree that educational content was helpful for their business

• 100 makers connected to capacity-building programming and resources 

• 33% of historically marginalized makers exposed to market access opportunities

• 40 dedicated program communication touchpoints with makers

• 70% increase in revenue generation opportunities

• 60% of makers feel more connected to a creative community in San Francisco and/or nationally

Through comprehensive capacity-building and market access programs that support the well-being of Indigenous makers and artisans in the United States, Nest is transforming the informal handworker economy. Our approach to change considers the unique circumstances of each individual and the maker and artisan community we support. For example, we address barriers to craft-related employment resulting from longstanding racial or socioeconomic inequities in the United States. Nest works with handworkers, artisans, and craft-based entrepreneurs to provide multi-level solutions to the unique challenges faced and meet the maker community where they are. Engaging both brand partners with buying power and philanthropic institutions with giving power, Nest provides comprehensive programming that combines capacity-building, market access, and financial support to create powerful and impactful outcomes for the handworker economy. Our Theory of Change focuses on supporting Indigenous communities, preserving cultural heritage, and advocating for recognition and respect for Indigenous art and culture. 

The program's activities will include market access and capacity-building for Indigenous makers and artisans, cultural preservation, and advocacy for Indigenous art and culture. The expected outputs of the program will be increased income and financial stability for Indigenous makers and artisans, protection of the culture and traditions, and increased awareness and respect for Indigenous art and culture among the wider public. These outputs will lead to the desired outcomes of greater economic support and equity for Indigenous makers and artisans, preservation of Indigenous culture and traditions for future generations, increased recognition and respect for Indigenous art and culture in the broader society, and a reduction in social and economic disparities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous maker communities.

Ultimately, Makers United: Indigenous Artisan Collective will improve the well-being and quality of life for Indigenous maker communities. These communities would be stronger and more equitable, leading to a more just and inclusive society that values the contributions of Indigenous people. 

Nest is committed to using technology as a tool to improve the effectiveness and impact of our project:

• To provide participating Indigenous and Native artisans and makers with a suite of online learning tools, including bite-sized video business lessons, expert-led industry webinars, phone consultations, downloadable resource guides, and mentorships with pro bono professionals, Nest launched - Nest Connect, an interactive digital central learning hub of Nest that supports more than 2000 artisan and maker businesses in 120 countries. Further, in the coming year, we plan to add new features to the platform, including, an interactive Nest orientation course, membership directories, and perks & benefits sections for an enhanced learning experience.

• To provide customized business development projects for artisan and maker partners, Nest leverages existing technologies such as social media platforms like Whatsapp, Facebook, Google Meet, and Instagram. By partnering with Nest, artisans and makers can develop websites, e-commerce platforms, and digital marketing strategies to expand their businesses.

• To support the use of online commerce platforms for Indigenous and Native makers, Nest provides training and how-to programs for technology and e-commerce apps such as Etsy and or self-designed and managed e-commerce sites. Nest works to bridge the digital divide experienced by handworkers with the tools and resources needed to establish appropriate e-commerce channels for selling their products direct-to-consumer throughout the year and worldwide. 

Along with the e-commerce platforms and online learning tools, Nest supports the beautiful combination of ancestral traditional technologies, such as an Indigenous artist's use of traditional weaving techniques to create a contemporary piece of clothing or a modern sculpture, blended with today's modern technologies like social media in leveraging those methods for storytelling, income generations, and cultural craft preservation. 

By utilizing technology in various ways accessible to the makers we work with, Nest is better equipped to measure impact, provide education and resources, and support Indigenous maker partners in realizing their full potential.

At the heart of Nest’s mission, values, and program design is the belief that diversity, equity, and inclusion are fundamental building blocks to be stronger, smarter, and more impactful.

Diversity takes into account identified and lived religion/worship practices, military service, able-bodiedness, language, educational pathways, and interdisciplinary expertise. To us, equity exists when individuals have equal opportunity to achieve success with support or services to overcome structural barriers impacting the individual. Inclusion ensures that all programs, organizational design, and leadership allow participants to equally voice their perspectives and experiences, giving all points of view equal consideration for problem-solving, implementing solutions, creating programs, or advancing Nest’s work and impact.

We have put these beliefs into action to ensure a more inclusive leadership team and overall organizational design, including: 

• Created a new hiring process rather than relying on interviews which can inequitably favor individuals with access to certain educational and professional backgrounds, we have embraced models that showcase work style, process, and creative thinking. 

• Nest is invested in DEI training for our leadership team and our full staff 

• Nest has maintained and continues to develop a lateral leadership model that leans into expertise rather than hierarchy

Additionally, we see our stakeholders as leaders themselves and hire locally (nationally and internationally) to the extent possible, ideally hiring maker entrepreneurs themselves interested in diversifying their career opportunities. 

Nest is committed to providing high-quality resources that address the most critical needs faced by artisans, makers, and creative entrepreneurs at no cost. In addition to webinars and business development courses, our artisans and makers have access to consultations, one-on-one mentorships, and fellowships with Nest team members or pro-bono industry experts to support them as they implement the skills they’re learning through these training sessions. Through continued, active participation, artisans, and makers are invited to participate in more extensive and customized Nest offerings. That includes a 2-year  Artisan Accelerator, an intensive application-based incubator for creative entrepreneurs, or unique brand partnerships such as Nest & Madewell’s Hometown Heroes Collective that combines business services with market opportunity.  

Our resources are designed to bolster each social enterprise’s operations and position them to take advantage of these more intensive programs, helping establish meaningful market opportunities that bring economic stability and sustainability to the enterprise, its predominantly female workforce, and communities.

At Nest, our ultimate goal is to create system-wide change that revolutionizes work in one of the highest potentials but most overlooked sectors, the craft-based economy, which leverages existing and passed down ancestral technology and practices. 

Nest is a 501(C)(3) that combines philanthropic capital with earned revenue streams generated through fee-for-service work to ensure organizational sustainability. We have a proven track record of leveraging philanthropic seed capital to develop industry solutions that are then implemented and sustained via fee-for-service consulting with brand and artisan partners.

 Some examples include:

• The development of the Nest Standards and piloting of the initial model was funded through Bloomberg Philanthropies and corporate foundation grants.

• The wastewater project which was developed through support from the Patagonia Foundation and the Levi Strauss Foundation

Nest’s dual approach to revenue ensures diversification but also ensures nonprofit impartiality and mission focus. Nest’s fee-for-service model provides consulting services for brands and retailers including our Ethical Handcraft program and supports sourcing from our Makers United programs nationally. Earned revenue currently accounts for 23% of our operational budget. Top philanthropic funders include Bloomberg Philanthropies, OAK Foundation, and the Winn Family Foundation. Top fee-for-service clients include Target, William Sonoma Inc., Amazon, Etsy, and Madewell.

Nest’s program model addresses complex social challenges within the informal economy by influencing facets of industry demand itself where business principles, market characteristics, and values (competition, diversification, entrepreneurship, and innovation) co-exist and work with traditional social values like responsiveness to community and serving the public interest. Essential to our success is Nest’s effective business model. To ensure the ongoing success of this model and the sustained impact of our programs, Nest invests in long-term planning that includes building an overarching sustainability strategy.

As part of this strategy, Nest continues to diversify its revenue streams for the organization, both in terms of portfolios and partners. Nest continues its prospecting for aligned foundations and partners in support of our work. Through new philanthropic and corporate philanthropy partners in 2023 including the Truist Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, and Pinterest. We also have sustained support from partners like Amazon, Etsy, Madewell, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Target Foundation, and the Oak Foundation. Grants and corporate philanthropy account for 59% of our operational budget.