How One Nonprofit Built a 128-Country Economic Network

Send us Fan MailNonprofit artisan economic development models are reshaping how organizations approach global impact—and this conversation shows exactly how.Rebecca Van Bergen, Founder and Executive Director of Nest, shares how her nonprofit built a scalable system supporting artisans across 128 countries by combining business training, ethical sourcing, and strategic partnerships. This isn’t about charity—it’s about building sustainable microenterprises that connect directly to global markets.At the core is a powerful shift: treating craft not as “supplemental income,” but as a legitimate economic sector. As Rebecca explains, “Nobody saw it as an investable sector… not that it was a massive economic opportunity.” That perception has changed—and nonprofits that recognize this shift can unlock entirely new pathways for impact.This episode breaks down how Nest operationalizes its model:A global artisan guild providing free training and business resourcesStrategic partnerships with organizations like Environmental Defense Fund and CAREEthical supply chain certification that connects artisans to major retailersA growing focus on resilience, including climate adaptation and recovery toolsBut the bigger takeaway is strategic. Nonprofits can no longer operate in silos. Rebecca makes it clear: “No organization can do all of that… how can we work in partnership with others to support people as holistically as we can?”For nonprofit leaders, this is a blueprint for:Expanding mission through partnershipsBuilding scalable program modelsAligning impact with market systemsResponding to global disruptions like climate and supply chain shiftsThe future of nonprofit work isn’t just service delivery—it’s ecosystem building. And this conversation shows how to do it. 00:00:00 Introduction and Guest Overview 00:02:30 What Nest Does: Building Artisan Economies 00:06:00 From Social Work to Scalable Nonprofit Model 00:09:00 Overcoming Skepticism: Craft as an Economic Sector 00:13:00 Leadership Evolution and Organizational Growth 00:15:05 Climate Change and Nonprofit Program Adaptation 00:17:00 Rebuilding Community in a Remote Workforce 00:20:00 Scaling Impact Through Global Partnerships 00:22:00 Collaboration vs Competition in Nonprofits 00:25:30 Ethical Supply Chains and Certification Model 00:27:00 Future Vision: Preserving Culture Through Commerce  #TheNonprofitShow #NonprofitStrategy #GlobalImpactFind us Live daily on YouTube!Find us  Live daily on LinkedIn!Find us Live daily on X: @Nonprofit_ShowOur national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits!  12:30pm ET   11:30am CT  10:30am MT  9:30am PTSend us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: [email protected] us on the web:The Nonprofit Show