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2024 Impact Report
Connecting makers + artisans with the resources + opportunities they need to thrive.
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Our Mission
Connecting the people, artistry and the impact of craft to create a more equitable and beautiful world.
At Nest, we understand the importance of handcraft and the meaning it can hold for every life it touches.
That’s why we connect a community of artisans, retailers and philanthropies to bring the full beauty of handcraft to the world. We provide the resources and relationships that uplift the people, places and practices behind handcrafted goods so artisans are respected, traditions are celebrated, and families and communities can grow and thrive.
The Reach + Impact of Nest Programs
The Power of Connection
“I am super grateful for working with Nest this year…There have been so many little tweaks we’ve made to the business, both from working with Rima, our mentor, and the Accelerator program. I’ve worked super hard to implement so much that I’ve learned!
We’re at the tail end of a website redo that I am so proud of, we’re able to fund our first trade show, shoot in-use photos, we got a new accountant, put contractors on payroll… the list goes on and on.
We’ve grown so much this year and have done so many good things.
So, do these programs have an impact? This has all been honestly the best and most appropriate business advice I’ve ever gotten.”
Cynthia Mains
Sunhouse Craft | Berea, KY
Improving Safety + Transparency for Global Artisans
How We Work
Nest’s programs and investments in craft communities create meaningful economic impact for makers, artisans, and their families while preserving their unique cultures and traditions through the artistry and heritage of handcraft.
Connective Threads: Impact in Action
Core to Nest’s mission is a commitment to connect artisan and maker entrepreneurs and business leaders with the information and resources, training and mentorship, and opportunities they need to grow and thrive.
This is made possible with the generous support of our corporate, brand, and philanthropic partners who understand the value of investing in the US and global craft sectors. The snapshots below are just a few examples of Nest’s mission at work with partners in communities in the US and around the world.
Focused on the Future:
Advancing Climate Resilience with Etsy, the Environmental Defense Fund, and Target Foundation
Nest is committed to connecting makers with the business development information, training, and resources they need to grow and sustain their businesses. Recognizing the disproportionate impact of more frequent and costly severe weather events on small, creative businesses, we partnered with the Environmental Defense Fund, with support from Etsy, to develop a new set of resources for US makers.
The resources include “Building Climate Resilience: A Disaster Preparedness Guidebook,” which offers practical information and step-by-step guidance to navigate the complex landscape of climate resilience and disaster preparation. And, “Responding to Climate Disasters: A Disaster Recovery Guidebook,” a comprehensive guide to the post-disaster resources available to small business owners. These resources are available for free to US makers through our website.
Alongside other programmatic partners–including Target Foundation, RISE, and the Center for Business and the Rights of the Child–Nest is expanding our body of research on the impacts of climate change on artisan communities, with a focus on those in developing economies. The goal of this effort is to inspire greater public and private investment in artisan communities to provide them with the capital and resources they need to bolster their resiliency.
Makers United Expands into Appalachia with Truist
With generous support from the Truist Foundation, Nest expanded our Makers United program to reach makers in Appalachia, with a focus on Eastern Kentucky. Through a comprehensive approach that includes connecting makers, artists, and solopreneurs with free business management training and resources to build a more robust ecosystem for small creative business owners, Makers United is making significant strides in empowering individuals and fostering economic growth across the US.
By identifying more than 30 small business support organizations in Eastern Kentucky and drawing on the skills of experts in our Fellow Network, Nest connected 74 local makers with helpful resources to address their business unique challenges, positioning them for future and sustainability.
One example of this is a brand storytelling and product photography skills workshop hosted by Nest for Makers United Appalachia participants. 17 local makers turned out to gain hands-on training to better present their businesses and products online and in marketing materials for brand buyers and consumers.
Photo Credit: Sunhouse Craft
Celebrating Craft + Culture with Prada Group + UNFPA in Mexico
Nest joined Prada Group and UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, in the expansion of their first-in-kind fashion training program “Fashion Expressions: The Stories She Wears” in Mexico.
The program, which leverages fashion as a catalyst to promote women’s empowerment and sexual reproductive health, invited 30 women artisans in Querétaro state, from indigenous and surrounding communities with experience in weaving and embroidery, to strengthen their technical, artistic, and financial skills.
Nest connected these women with business expertly-created development resources and training to strengthen their financial literacy, with a focus on budgeting, sales, and merchandising. The goal of this effort was to provide them with a strong foundation from which they can achieve economic independence and reach their entrepreneurial goals to improve outcomes for themselves, their families, and their communities.
Nest’s Heritage Craft Prize Recognizes the Connection Between Culture and Creativity
With generous support from the Winn Family Foundation, Nest was proud to create and award the first Heritage Craft Prize to Guadalupe Hernandez at an intimate dinner in Dallas, Texas.
The Prize, now in its second year, is unique for its recognition of skill and technique, and celebration of cultural value. The Prize winner must demonstrate technical mastery, as well as a thoughtful connection to their cultural tradition through a one-of-a-kind handcrafted piece. The winner and finalists receive cash grants which are intended to advance their craft pursuits and/or craft-based business.
The award ceremony coincided with our 2023 American Craft Convening in Dallas, Texas, which sought to connect talented makers from across the state with valuable business training and one another. 33 talented Texas creatives–the majority of whom (85%) were women and more than half of whom (65%) identified as BIPOC–were invited to attend the immersive, two-day event. Through sessions led by industry experts from Hermés, participants explored craftsmanship, client relationships, and effective merchandising. These experiences enhanced participants' skills and knowledge and inspired and energized them to continue pursuing their entrepreneurial dreams.
Photo Credit: Rhiannon Griego Textiles
Tailored Opportunities for Growth:
Artisan Accelerator Grows to Reach More Makers
In 2024, Nest expanded our Artisan Accelerator program into an umbrella that also includes a growing number of micro-accelerators. These programs are designed in partnership with a brand or philanthropy to address the unique business challenges of a specific group of artisans or makers.
An example of these new customized programs is the Nest x Sana Jardin Accelerator, which supported five talented artisan groups near Marrakech, Morocco, to create ripples of social and economic impact in their communities. Participants received tailored virtual educational courses, access to a professional product photography shoot, in-person expert mentorship and a microgrant, all designed to support their responsible growth in global markets.
On Store Shelves:
Gee’s Bend Quilters Included in Target’s 2024 Black History Month Collection
Nest was honored to connect Target with the Gee’s Bend Quilters to create unique pieces for the retailer’s 2024 Black History Month collection. These products included apparel, home decor, accessories, and kitchenware featuring 5 of the famed Quilters’ designs.
From the moment the products appeared online and in-stores there was buzz and excitement with the community. Almost overnight, this collection introduced a wave of new shoppers to the Gee’s Bend Quilters. Many reported a dramatic increase in traffic to their personal Etsy shops and new requests for custom pieces.
Photo Credit: Target
From our Founder
Rebecca van Bergen, Nest’s Founder + Executive Director, shares a word on the future of Nest and what your support means as we aim to reach more artisans and makers in 2025.
Join us in our mission + make an impact today
When you support Nest with a tax-deductible donation, you are providing the resources needed to continue reaching artisans and makers with effective and impactful programming.
Will you join us on this mission to help help individuals, families grow and thrive by making an investment in handcraft through Nest today?