Emergence LLC
Founder Liz Welch
What I’m working on now
My passion is helping community-based leaders and organizations have the resources and infrastructure to dismantle unjust systems and accelerate community change. Here’s what I’m working on right now (updated July 2024).
Strengthening Fundraising Infrastructure
at NDN Collective
Over the last several years, I’ve had the incredible opportunity to work alongside NDN Collective’s leadership and advancement teams–helping to build the resources and infrastructure to support a movement for Indigenous self-determination across Turtle Island. As of May 2024, I’m serving as NDNs Interim Director of Advancement, continuing to support the organization’s capacity to invest in the collective power of Indigenous leaders and communities. As the largest Indigenous-led fund in existence, NDN will have provided close to $100 million in transformational grant support to more than 700 Indigenous-led organizations and leaders by the end of 2024.
Supporting Dynamic Community-Based Organizations at Emergence LLC
As the founder of Emergence LLC, I continue to support a limited number of community-based nonprofit organizations–creating equity-based advancement systems that deepen their capacity to drive change. The team at Emergence raised over $70 million in our first five years for Indigenous-led organizations across the country, advancing their work in culturally-grounded education, food sovereignty, economic development, and more. Though we are focusing our firm’s efforts in a more targeted way this year, Emergence remains committed to working with leaders and organizations to dismantle the barriers that create injustice.
Time for Reflection on Building Sustainable Social Justice Movements
After over a decade in this work of building organizations that support and build movements for justice and equity I want to spend more time reflecting on what that means and what we’ve learned. The continuation and rise of white supremacist and fascist ideologies that go with it–have brought deep fears around what the future holds, but I do believe we have strong movements to fight against this. I think one way to push back is to create more time for reflection, writing, and creative space to see what new ideas come to be. As I take the time to do that I will focus my writing and speaking on ways we can support the growth and strengthening of social justice movements in whatever role we hold.
Parenting Alee and Kai
If you’ve ever stopped by my home or office you have likely met Alee and Kai. These two wonderful children are curious about literally everything in the world around them. They enjoy playing sports, singing, dancing, handgames, raising chickens, learning Lakota and are both entrepreneurs. If there is something new to try or learn about they are there ready to jump in. I love building an environment for them to have access to participate in their community and lead new efforts like Porcupine Snacks and Lightning Lemonade. So when I’m not building with my clients, I’m likely building and learning with them.
Connecting with me
While working more closely with NDN Collective, I’m currently not taking on any additional individual client work at this time. But if you’d like to explore organizational support with Emergence, please do reach out to Emergence’s leads Audi and Anya. They are incredible and would love to discuss potential options. Click here to schedule a consultation!
As I continue to reflect on how to build sustainable social justice movements, I’ll be sharing my thinking and would love for you to follow along and share your own thoughts! You can check out the latest on Substack and Medium, or connect with me on LinkedIn.
Thank you for being here!