In this conversation, Holly Rustick and Kami Akhavan discuss the intersection of politics and fundraising, emphasizing the importance of human connection in nonprofit work. 

They explore how social division impacts community engagement and fundraising efforts, while also highlighting opportunities that arise from chaos. The discussion underscores the need for emotional storytelling and relationship building in the nonprofit sector, particularly in grant writing and fundraising strategies.

Takeaways

• Creating relationships takes time but is essential for long-term success
• Politics today influences fundraising efforts significantly
• The shrinking public square leads to increased isolation
• Conversations are essential for fostering change and understanding
• Building trust is crucial for effective communication in nonprofits
• Networking should be approached with genuine curiosity

About Kami Akhavan

Kamy Akhavan, former CEO of ProCon.org, the nation’s leading source of nonpartisan research on controversial issues, now leads the Center for the Political Future (CPF) at the University of Southern California. As the Executive Director, Kamy oversees the operations of all Center components including the Unruh Institute of Politics, the Fellows Program, the USC Dornsife Poll, and community and global engagement.

Kamy writes and speaks on numerous topics including the origins of and solutions to political polarization, improving interpersonal communication, the awesome power of debate, nonprofit leadership, digital marketing, civics education, and how to teach controversial issues. In addition to those topics, Kamy is a moderator, panelist, and keynote speaker on elections and current political events, as well as hot topics from marijuana legalization to gun control and from the death penalty to physician-assisted suicide.

With more than 20 years of experience in bridging divides at national levels, Kamy’s work has served more than 200 million people, including students at more than 12,000 schools in all 50 states and 100 countries. He has been published and interviewed in textbooks, magazines, television, radio, newspapers, and websites including Reuters, Associated Press, Fox News, ABC, Washington Post, NPR, CNN, and CBS.

Connect with Kami Akhavan

• Usc Dornsife Website

Links Mentioned

Freelance Grant Writer Academy

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