FIRE Global Innovation Conversations

Innovating Together through Funding Shocks | March 25, 2025

In this session, we heard from four leaders around the world: Kellea Miller (Executive Director, Human Rights Funders Network), Lucie Doumanian (Deputy Director, SMEX), Isabela Fernandes (Executive Director, Tor Project), and Nersan Govender (Executive Director, Legal Resource Centre). Together, we explored how you can move through financial shocks and uncertainties with more intentionality and skill. We also discussed changes in the funding landscape and reflected on ways in which grant-dependent organizations are responding and innovating, both for the short term and the longer term.

Watch the webinar recording in:

English | Español | Português | Bahasa Indonesia

Download the session presentation here, available in English only.

AI in Fundraising? Navigating Challenges and Opportunities in a New Era | February 27, 2025

In this session, we explored the benefits and risks of artificial intelligence (AI) in fundraising and financial resilience. A growing number of social justice organizations globally are using AI for donor acquisition and grant writing. However, behind the enthusiasm for AI in fundraising lies the awareness of its environmental costs, data privacy concerns, and biases, which pose threats to diversity, equity, and inclusivity. In this session, we were joined by Norman Valdez and Arthur Steiner. Together, we delved into these challenges and looked at practical AI tools for building greater financial strength.

Watch the webinar recording in:

English | Español | Português | Bahasa Indonesia

Download the session materials here, available in English, Español, Português, and Bahasa Indonesia.

The future of philanthropy: is power shifting? | October 24, 2024

In this session, we explored changes in philanthropy and their implications for social and climate justice organizations aiming to build greater financial health. We heard from expert guests: Theo Sowa, a leading feminist and social justice activist, who advises on the rights of women and children, social justice, and policy development, and Jenny Hodgson, Executive Director of the Global Fund for Community Foundations and co-initiator of #ShiftThePower. In this interactive session we reflected on changes in philanthropy and how grant dependent organizations can best leverage them. 

Watch the webinar recording in:

English | Español | Português | Bahasa Indonesia

Download the session materials here, available in English, Español, Português, and Bahasa Indonesia.

Can social justice organizations in the Global South leverage impact investing to advance their mission? An exploration | July 11, 2024

In this session, we explored how NGOs can navigate their investment readiness journey and engage with impact investing in practical and mission-aligned ways.  We heard from expert guests Christine Looney (Deputy Director, Mission Investments, Ford Foundation), Rehana Nathoo (founder and CEO of Spectrum Impact) and Mukami Marete (Executive Director, UHAI - EASHRI, also an Associate with Spring). And we also heard from organizations in Asia, Africa and Latin America on their own journeys to leverage impact investing.

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Download the session materials here, available in English, Español, Português, and Bahasa Indonesia.

Beyond the Buzz: Emerging funding mechanisms and models for NGOs | April 4, 2024

In this session we demystified some of the new terms and mechanisms we hear about, like Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAO’s), Cobudgeting, Revolving Funds, Effective Altruism, Quadratic Funding and more. Arthur Steiner, a cultural entrepreneur, strategist and art curator, presented on this emerging field, and shared and explored curated examples that show real potential for organizations working towards systems change.

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Download the session materials here, available in English, Español, Português, and Bahasa Indonesia.

What is the role of Board and Governance in building greater financial resilience and health? An exploration of life stages and growing pains | October 12, 2023

Organizations, boards and other governing bodies can be key resources for strategic guidance, decision-making, and accountability. Building supportive governance structures requires investing in transformational relationships, clearly defining roles, and strengthening collective buy-in. In this interactive session we explored together the narratives we hold about boards and governance, and the role they have as organizations manage growth, scaling down, and other scenarios of change. How can we reframe those narratives in ways that enable our organizations to be more dynamic and resilient in the face of change?

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Financial Resilence in Times of Crisis: How to respond to economic volatility and manage financial risk? | February 9, 2023

Seteney Shami, Director General of the Arab Council for Social Sciences joined Amany Alhadka and Ellen Sprenger from Spring’s FIRE team to share her experiences leading an organization in Lebanon through multiple crises. Together they discussed lessons in managing “polycrisis,” including economic volatility and financial risk, and how we can support and build movement level resilience.

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Financial investment for longevity and creating the world we want: How does that work? | November 16, 2022

Adnan Topan, former Executive Director at Indonesia Corruption Watch; Pamela Mudhune, Director of Finance and Operations at Urgent Action Fund Africa; and Dorianna Blitt, Urgent Action Fund for Women's Human Rights Board Member and Treasurer join the Spring team to demystify entry points for investing and share key experiences and insights related to developing investment strategies.

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