Reclaim The Sector

My name is Sam Chenkin (she/her or they/them). I am a nonprofit professional, community organizer, and community builder. I am a trans woman, white, Jewish, and was raised with upper-middle-class privilege. I live in and am part owner of a large communal home in West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Twelve years as a nonprofit leader and consultant have taught me the power and stability of the nonprofit sector. My personal experience and the experiences of my community have taught me how much more work there is to do. My goal is to support the nonprofit sector in taking seriously its responsibility for systemic change. Together we can reclaim our sector as a force for justice, shared liberation, and anti-capitalism. Previously I was the Director of Nonprofit Consulting at Tech Impact in Philadelphia. In that role I built and managed a 10-person team that helped nonprofits navigate complex systems change, build data management practices, and stay safe from even the most determined attackers. I left because I believe that technology is only part of what will help realize the potential of the nonprofit sector. Technology, like everything else we do, must be rooted in equitable internal cultures, planning that is driven by our communities, and funding structures that empower those closest to the work. Today, I work with nonprofits, funders, leaders, and communities to build a sector that is on the front lines of systemic change.