INSPIRED IMPACT is an ongoing blog series that gives voice to purpose-driven organizations and passionate leaders and entrepreneurs who are making an impact in their communities and industries.
Vanessa Pierce is the President of Black Fox Philanthropy. Follow them on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn and learn more at www.blackfoxphilanthropy.com.
WHAT DO YOU DO?
Black Fox Philanthropy is a fundraising strategy firm with a focus on serving international NGOs. Our goal is to mobilize significant resources to help solve complex problems on a global scale.
WHY DO YOU DO IT?
Our primary drivers are fierce compassion and global impact. Our firm’s co-leaders, Natalie and Vanessa, are particularly passionate about work that improves the lives of women and girls worldwide.
WHAT IMPACT ARE YOU MAKING?
We see ourselves as “helping the helpers” and by working with NGO clients to improve their ability to raise the vital funds to fuel their work, we help them have greater impact in the world.
WHAT (OR WHO) INSPIRES YOU TO MAKE THIS IMPACT?
I’m so inspired by our clients, all of whom are incredibly smart, talented and determined leaders. Founding, running and growing a non-profit organization, especially in the international space, is not for the faint of heart! It’s an honor to work with them.
I’m also inspired as a parent to be an example of positive impact in the world for my children–it’s important for them to see me doing work that I love that focuses on people and issues far outside our daily lives here in the US.
WHAT’S YOUR BIG DREAM FOR THE ORGANIZATION AND THE IMPACT YOU WANT TO MAKE?
As far as I know, we’re the only US-based strategy consulting firm that focuses on international NGOs. Continuing to grow and serve more of this market is a big goal of ours, as is improving the lives of women and girls. We hope to have a dual impact here–Black Fox was founded and designed as great place for women to work and we also aim to have a positive impact on women and girls worldwide by serving our client organizations well.
WHAT RESOURCES DO YOU NEED TO MAKE THOSE DREAMS COME TRUE?
To make these dreams come true, we need opportunities to serve international NGO clients.
WHAT IS (OR HAS BEEN) YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE?
Only about 4-5% of philanthropic funding given by donors in the United States goes to international causes, so one of the challenges we encounter is organizations that are caught in a cycle of urgency–they really want and need to work with a firm like Black Fox Philanthropy, but don’t have the extra funds on hand to invest in building a fundraising infrastructure that would, over time, yield more funding for their work. Breaking out of that cycle, especially with a scarcity mentality, can be tough!
WHAT WORDS OF ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR OTHER LEADERS LOOKING TO MAKE AN IMPACT?
There are so many ways to have a positive impact in the world, ranging from the individuals closest to you (family, colleagues, clients) to people you’ll never meet who live half a world away. Over time, I’ve gained awareness of how fortunate I am to be a woman living in the place and time that I do. There are still many places in the world where it’s not safe to be female today. I’m honored and humbled to be able to do the work that I do and to help the helpers.
HOW CAN OTHERS SUPPORT YOU OR YOUR CAUSE?
First, I’d say that everyone should figure out what positive change he or she wants to see in the world and take action to make that change happen–that can mean many things, from how we build businesses, to our relationships with other, to how we volunteer and how we give philanthropically. So do that first. Second, all of our clients are doing incredible work around the world, and if that work resonates with others, I encourage supporting them and other non-profit organizations!
Orapin Marketing + Public Relations serves those who serve others. We help purpose-driven companies and nonprofits tell their stories and get the attention they deserve for the impact they make by securing press coverage, strategic partnerships, and thought leadership opportunities.