From 7% to 107%: Investing in Organizers Supercharges Impact - with Geraldine Alcid (Filipino Advocates for Justice) and Rebecca Gorena (All Due Respect)
S9:E16 -- In this episode, you’ll hear compelling evidence that investing in nonprofit workers isn’t a distraction from program results—it actually supercharges impact!
Burnout is widespread in the nonprofit sector, particularly in social justice groups. But it doesn’t have to be. Our guests share their research, experience, and thinking, based on a cohort of Northern California nonprofits working with All Due Respect to improve working conditions for organizers in their ranks. Geraldine and Rebecca vividly describe how better pay, stronger systems, and a culture of wellness can significantly improve job quality, employee retention -- and program results.
Our Guests:
Geraldine Alcid is Executive Director of Filipino Advocates for Justice (FAJ). Established in 1973 in response to the discrimination and alienation faced by Filipino immigrant newcomers, FAJ builds a strong Filipino community by organizing constituents, developing leaders, providing services, and advocating for just policies. Geraldine is also a founder and leads FAJ’s sibling 501C4 organization, FAJ Action Fund, established in 2022. She was born in Makati, Philippines, grew up in Chicago, IL. and currently lives in Oakland, CA.
Rebecca Gorena (she/ella) is Senior Program Director at All Due Respect. She is a community advocate and campaign manager with over 14 years of experience across states and social justice sectors. Rebecca has led organizing and policy campaigns across many issues with an emphasis on developing the skills and autonomy of the organizers she works alongside. This has resulted in her passion for building stronger movement spaces and leaders.
Links to Resources
Key Reports & Tools:
Shared Guidelines: A Commitment to Bay Area Organizers (Report from All Due Respect)
People Power Movements: Lessons from FAJ’s Deep Wellness Project (Report from All Due Respect)
Youth Organizing in the Bay Area: An Exploration of Organizational Labor Standards (Report from All Due Respect)
Sustainable Jobs Toolkit (Online toolkit from All Due Respect + Staffing the Mission)
Upgrading Nonprofit Workplaces 2026 Case Study Series (Research from Fund the People)
Guest's and Host's Organizations:
Filipino Advocates for Justice (FAJ) website
Related Networks & Partners Mentioned:
AAPIs for Civic Empowerment (FORCE)
California Domestic Worker Coalition
National Domestic Workers Alliance
Additional FTP Episodes with All Due Respect:
Fair Labor Standards for Community Organizers (S3:E8) – with Kevin Simowitz and Kinzie Mabon (All Due Respect)
More Relevant FTP Episodes:
How Funders Can Support Nonprofit Workers in the Age of Burnout, Part 1 (S6:E1) - with Jamie Allison, Walter and Elise Haas Fund
