In Episode 91 of the Charity Charge Show, Stephen talks to David Street, Strategic Director Next Gen Organizing of Bread for the World, whose mission is to be a collective Christian voice urging our nation’s leaders to end hunger at home and abroad.
Stephen and David Street talk about the mission of Bread for the World, Street’s work with adolescence and social media through his nonprofit P.E.N. (Promote, Enrich and Nurture) DMV, and the process of setting up a new nonprofit.
David Street is a native of Washington, D.C. and has over 13 years of grassroots organizing and engagement experience. He also serves as the Strategic Director of Next Gen Leadership for Bread for the World.
Outside of his work in the organizing space, Street also serves as the Executive Director for P.E.N. (Promote, Enrich and Nurture) DMV, a non-profit that specializes in mentoring and social media training with high school students and aspiring leaders living in Washington, D.C.
Street received his Bachelors in Political Science from North Carolina A&T State University and holds a Masters in Theology from Wesley Theological Seminary.
David Street on starting a nonprofit
It took me about a year to get my nonprofit off the ground; because I interviewed people who had already set up nonprofits, who were already in a similar space, and I just asked a whole bunch of questions.
I did about 8-10 interviews with people who had small to medium sized nonprofits.
I’ve been working in nonprofits all my life so I was able to tap into the vast set of knowledge that my colleagues have. I also did other types of research, along with bringing people together and asking questions.
After this year of research, we then filed the paperwork and all the other legal aspects. Since we took the time beforehand we already knew what our mission was going to be and who from that advisory board during the planning process would transfer into the board of directors.
In that time we also had acquired seed funding, so it wasn’t just like we only existed on paper, we had actually acquired some funding from a couple of local churches.
I would advise others to do their homework, reach out to people and don’t just jump in there; figure out if you have a niche and if there isn’t a niche, create one.
About Bread for the World
Bread for the World is a collective Christian voice urging our nation’s decision makers to end hunger at home and abroad.
By changing policies, programs, and conditions that allow hunger and poverty to persist, they provide help and opportunity at home and far beyond where we live.
We can end hunger in our time. But churches and charities can’t do it all.
With the stroke of a pen, policies are made that redirect millions of dollars and affect millions of lives.
By making voices heard in Congress, they make our nation’s laws fairer and more compassionate.
