It's been a busy (and inspiring) few months at @freedomfund.bsky.social. We've just launched a quarterly newsletter capturing some recent highlights, including a new short film, our recent gift from MacKenzie Scott and a corporate accountability seed fund in SE Asia. READ: mailchi.mp/freedomfund/...

Organised crime is increasingly turning to human trafficking to generate outsized profits. @economist.com shows that gangs in Latin America are trafficking people into industries like gold mining and commercial sex, and they’re doing it at scale: www.economist.com/the-americas...

25% of the polysilicon in solar panels comes from China’s Uyghur region. While the global solar industry is on the rise, so is forced labour in the sector. New piece from @chinafile.bsky.social on ensuring the green transition doesn't come at the cost of slavery: www.chinafile.com/reporting-op...

There are many wonderful moments in my job, but few are as wonderful as receiving the news of a big, second, unrestricted gift from MacKenzie Scott! Read how this gift will enable @freedomfund.bsky.social to better support 190+ frontline partners: www.freedomfund.org/news/gift-ma...

The forced labour import ban on Taiwanese bike maker Giant shows how bans & advocacy can drive industry change. Workers faced recruitment fees & labour abuses, and after a Withhold Release Order by CBP, Taiwan’s government & other companies are taking action. For more: mondediplo.com/outside-in/g...

Environmental defenders aren’t just protecting ecosystems—they’re defending democracy. Xanthe Scharff's new piece for @csis.org calls us to listen to Indigenous leaders in the Amazon, like those supported by @freedomfund.bsky.social. Read it here: www.csis.org/analysis/env...

Collaborative funds are one of the most powerful philanthropic models we have to tackle global challenges. The results of @bridgespangroup.bsky.social's new donor survey highlight both the promise of and barriers to collaborative funding: www.bridgespan.org/insights/sur...

Import bans are powerful tools that should not be dismissed. In a new piece for @opendemocracy.net, @freedomfund.bsky.social partners @htlegalcenter.bsky.social argue that advocacy for import bans is a critical strategy to target abuses in supply chains: www.opendemocracy.net/en/beyond-tr...

What are workers really worth to fast fashion companies? China Labor Watch has just released a report on labour conditions in Shein’s supply chain in Guangzhou, China, where workers receive as little as 7 cents per garment: chinalaborwatch.org/fast-fashion...

In 2021, @freedomfund.bsky.social launched the Survivor Leadership Fund with a clear belief: survivor-led organisations deserve better. 4 years and 100+ unrestricted grants later, we're sharing what we've learned: www.freedomfund.org/news/centrin...

A bowl of potatoes, a pink slipper, a family dinner. When @freedomfund.bsky.social gave cameras to child domestic workers in Ethiopia, they captured these and much more: the harsh realities of work, hopes for the future and changes in their living conditions. www.freedomfund.org/news/through...

Thousands of boys live on the streets of Dhaka, Bangladesh. The Freedom Fund’s new report exposes the harsh realities these children face: exploitation, hunger, violence, and a constant struggle to survive. Read more: www.freedomfund.org/news/beneath...

Why do some collaborative funds thrive while others stall? In my latest piece for the Center for Effective Philanthropy, I explore the various ways collaborative funds are formed, the different donor types they attract, and how these factors can shape their long-term impact: cep.org/blog/the-man...

The anti-slavery and climate justice movements need one another, and philanthropy has a critical role to play. My longtime colleague Ginny Baumann's new @ssir.org article explores how community-led efforts against slavery are also essential to climate resilience. ssir.org/articles/ent...

@humanityunitedorg.bsky.social has been a deeply valued partner to @freedomfund.bsky.social over many years, particularly in our shared efforts to tackle forced labour in the seafood industry. Their commitment to understanding and funding complex systems change has informed our own approach.

“Now is the time for funders to back local leaders who are making lasting improvements to people’s lives.” Co-Impact ’s Olivia Leland makes this call in her recent @ssir.org piece, drawing on case studies of systems change from around the world: ssir.org/articles/ent...

In an insightful new Alliance Magazine conversation, Ashif Shaikh speaks with Yasmin Madan (Co-Impact) & @gabucher.bsky.social (@fundhumanrights.bsky.social) about how funders can build more effective relationships with movements on the frontlines: www.alliancemagazine.org/feature/in-c...

Investigative journalists play a critical role in exposing forced labour and holding corporates to account. Glad to see that James Beard Foundation has recognised Ian Urbina's Outlaw Ocean Project for their courageous reporting on abuses in the seafood sector. www.jamesbeard.org/stories/the-...

An independent evaluation of @freedomfund.bsky.social's Freedom Rising program finds alumni have built confidence, skills and trust and are collaborating to change systems. Their organizations are adopting more inclusive policies and practices. Read the report: www.freedomfund.org/news/rising-...

I took the stage at @hrf.org 's @oslofreedomforum.com to speak about the role funders like @freedomfund.bsky.social can play in supporting civil society groups working in repressive environments. Congratulations to HRF for providing a powerful platform for courageous activists.

The anti-slavery sector is at a crossroads. Honoured to provide remarks at today's roundtable on contemporary forms of slavery, co-hosted by @freedomfund.bsky.social and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. My full reflections on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/posts/nickgr...

"It seems increasingly difficult to buy Chinese goods without running the risk of tapping into a regime of exploitation." Explosive new reporting from @tbij.bsky.social links 100+ global brands to Uyghur forced labour in China, using social media videos. www.thebureauinvestigates.com/stories/2025...

I'm looking forward to talking about innovative ways funders can fund frontline organisations working in repressive environments at #oslofreedomforum @osloff.bsky.social today with @gladstein.bsky.social @hrf.org

The board-CEO relationship can be existential for nonprofits. So I enjoyed joining Stacy Palmer’s new podcast, Nonprofits Now, to discuss how leaders can work with more effectively with their boards. Thanks to @chronphilanthropy.bsky.social for hosting. www.philanthropy.com/article/list...

In a win for advocates, the UK government has just announced it will block public procurement of solar panels made with forced labour in China. We won't have a "just transition" if it is fuelled by the exploitation of vulnerable minorities. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

We need more donor champions who boldly advocate for collaborative funding amongst their peers. Great conversation in @ssir.org between a funder and fund leader: “I’m not an expert in what communities need. Collaboratives let me fund faster with others.” Read more: ssir.org/articles/ent...

Insightful interview with @nowrojeeosf.bsky.social in Alliance Mag today. Her reflections on lived experience leadership resonate with @freedomfund.bsky.social's approach to partnership: "Our role is to support their efforts instead of dictating." 🔗 www.alliancemagazine.org/interview/bi...

500k Ethiopian women are migrating to Saudi as domestic workers. New reforms offer hope—but challenges like illegal fees persist. New @freedomfund.bsky.social report explores the effects of these changes through the experiences of 25 women preparing to go abroad: www.freedomfund.org/news/balanci...

“The most essential work of the leader is to create more leaders.” In my recent chat with @tonymart.bsky.social on Nonprofit Radio, I shared reflections on effective leadership and my experience over the past 10+ years leading @freedomfund.bsky.social. Listen: tonymartignetti.com/2025/04/nonp...

The first-known death of a migrant worker linked to the 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia has been confirmed. Human rights groups warned of the potential harms to workers when Saudi Arabia was named World Cup host in December. From @theguardian.com: www.theguardian.com/global-devel...

AI use is growing in the nonprofit sector. Will it help or harm efforts to address trafficking? As with all anti-trafficking interventions, lived experience experts can help ensure that these tools don't target already marginalised people. [email protected]: foreignpolicy.com/2025/02/28/a...

Should nonprofits be led more like businesses? It's a common refrain to #nonprofit leaders, but what does it mean? I explore in this substack post. nickgrono.substack.com/p/should-non...

In a new piece for @ssireview.bsky.social, @bridgespangroup.bsky.social examines the recent growth of collaborative funds, arguing that collaboratives must clearly understand and communicate their distinct role to avoid diluting the potential for large-scale impact: ssir.org/articles/ent...

"It’s a cycle of abuse that no one is addressing." A harrowing new piece from @nytimes.com sheds light on the untold stories of Ugandan and Kenyan domestic workers in Saudi Arabia and the powerful people complicit in their abuse and exploitation: www.nytimes.com/2025/03/16/w...

In honour of #IWD, Philanthropy Age profiled Florence Keya's powerful efforts to support and protect Kenyan child domestic workers through @freedomfund.bsky.social partner Maisha Girls Safe House: www.philanthropyage.org/articles/end...

What does “systems change” look like in the context of tackling modern slavery? @freedomfund.bsky.social's new report identifies 7 types of interventions & offers examples, from enforcing minimum wage laws to changing mindsets of child domestic worker employers: www.freedomfund.org/news/systems...

Everyone's talking about the importance of systems change, but effective measurement proves much more challenging. New @freedomfund.bsky.social reports document how we invest in systems change to end modern slavery and how we measure it. Read the reports here:

Another important investigation by @transparentem.bsky.social has found forced labour in the supply chains of major outdoor apparel, tech and bottling brands sourcing from Taiwan - including exorbitant recruitment fees, ID confiscation and restriction of movement: transparentem.org/report/taiwa...

Being a first-time CEO at a nonprofit can feel quite overwhelming. Funders should do more to support new CEOs and ensure that the leaders and organizations they invest in are equipped to thrive during a leadership change. www.philanthropy.com/article/fund...

I paid a flying visit to Salt Lake City last week - my first trip to Utah. I got such a warm welcome, and had the opportunity to speak to an engaged audience on nonprofit leadership and the work of @freedomfund.bsky.social to combat modern slavery. www.techbuzznews.com/cynosure-gro...

Saudi Arabia's new national policy on forced labour is the first of its kind in the region, but the proof will be in its implementation. www.walkfree.org/news/2025/sa... @walkfree.bsky.social

Sonder has rapidly become one of my favourite words*. I'm not sure if it is a good or bad thing for leadership (views welcome), but it's certainly good for human connection. *It's a "neologism", which I've just learnt is a newly coined word that has either emerged or is gaining recognition.

Ethiopian domestic workers rely on optimism, faith and pragmatism to endure adverse working and living conditions. New report from @freedomfund.bsky.social & NYU examines how these women make decisions about migration and how we can help improve their experiences: www.freedomfund.org/news/managin...

Is nonprofit leadership taken as seriously as corporate leadership? According to The Freedom Fund CEO @nickgrono.bsky.social, the answer is often no! Hear the discussion at The Nonprofit Show! ➡️ lnkd.in/grMFhKdF

Recent report from Greenpeace Southeast Asia and the Indonesian Migrant Workers Union finds environmental and labour abuses on suppliers to popular U.S. tuna brand, demonstrating how illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing puts both people and planet at risk: www.greenpeace.org/internationa...

Tune in to The Nonprofit Show next Wednesday, 22 January for a live conversation with Freedom Fund CEO, @nickgrono.bsky.social and CEO of the American Nonprofit Academy, Julia C. Patrick. ➡️ lnkd.in/dwmT5Yj

On Tuesday, the @homelandsecurity.bsky.social added 37 entities to the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act Entity List, including one of the world’s largest textile manufacturers, mining companies and multiple suppliers involved in producing solar energy products: www.nytimes.com/2025/01/14/b...

A new report with the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation finds that despite a very challenging context, @freedomfund.bsky.social's Nepal program has united bonded labour groups, supported policy shifts and improved community access to essential services: www.freedomfund.org/news/breakin...

It's very nice to have LinkedIn for Nonprofits put my book at the top of its reading list for 2025! www.linkedin.com/posts/nickgr...

New @transparentem.bsky.social report uncovers labour abuses on Indian cotton farms linked to 60 global brands. Corporate due diligence must go beyond the top tier of supply chains. A great example of how investigative reporting can expose abuses and spur action. transparentem.org/report/india...