OAKLAND, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Democratizing Philanthropy Project (DPP), an organization that shifts power to chronically underfunded, historically excluded frontline organizations, hired Kina Collins as the first Executive Director effective January 17, 2023. Collins will steward organizations that address systemic issues facing our nation and help them build lasting, durable power through independent revenue. A Chicago native and former congressional candidate, Collins brings a range of expertise to the role – previously establishing a statewide civil rights initiative in the governor's office of Illinois, serving as executive director of the largest gun violence prevention nonprofit in Illinois and raising nearly $1 million through extensive grassroots small dollar fundraising.
“Democratizing Philanthropy Project has been addressing the reality that organizations working on the frontlines of social change do not have the resources they need to succeed long-term.. We have proof of concept after working for a couple of years on the best intervention and strong support from our foundation partners to scale our impact. Now we need a tenacious leader of Kina’s caliber to give a voice to frontline organizations, get funding into the hands of BIPOC-leaders, and scale our programs in communities across the country. Kina is a rapidly rising star, and the Board of Directors and I are thrilled to turn the organization over to her powerful vision and leadership,” said Iara Peng, Founder and Board Chair of Democratizing Philanthropy Project.
In 2022, Democratizing Philanthropy Project helped raise nearly $2 million through more than 50,000 new small dollar donors across 54 organizations. Participant organizations engage in cohort-based workshops, receive 1:1 coaching, a capacity grant, and learn in real time how to build a trusted network of engaged donors between election cycles.
“As we’ve seen election after election, revenue is critical to long-term power-building. With the most productive year yet in 2022 and a new Executive Director at the helm, Democratizing Philanthropy Project is at an inflection point and ready for the next chapter of growth,” said Vivan Chang, Executive Director of the Susan Sandler Fund and DPP Board member, a foundation partner that helped catalyze Democratizing Philanthropy Project.
Prior to joining Democratizing Philanthropy Project, Collins was a candidate running for the IL-07 Congressional District seat. She is a nationally recognized gun violence prevention and healthcare advocate. Across roles, Collins has cultivated strategic relationships, built highly effective coalitions, and fostered organizational cultures of diversity and inclusivity.
“As Executive Director I am eager for the opportunity to grow durable, grassroots power in communities around the country. My work in Illinois and the work of Democratizing Philanthropy Project to date show the importance of community-based power and the need to scale our impact” said Kina Collins, Executive Director of Democratizing Philanthropy Project. “Through a range of proven programs and campaigns, we will center the work of activists, donors, and organizations who have been historically disenfranchised and strive to create lasting, systemic change.”
About Democratizing Philanthropy Project
Democratizing Philanthropy Project gives organizations addressing the systemic issues facing our nation the ability to build a powerful, lasting revenue stream and network of engaged activists and donors they can rely on. Specifically, DPP works to help organizations test out and build new approaches to earning revenue; ensures vulnerable organizations have more power, have more flexibility in how to spend those resources, and respond more nimbly and rapidly to critical needs as they emerge; expands the small donor apparatus to grassroots, nonprofits, historically excluded frontline organizations; and converts national interest in racial and social justice into long-term financial strength for chronically underfunded and historically neglected organizations.
