When she first got here to the College of Michigan College for Atmosphere and Sustainability (SEAS) to pursue twin tracks in Environmental Justice and Environmental Coverage and Planning, alumna Malavika Sahai (MS ’18) hadn’t imagined that her profession path would lead her to the sphere of philanthropy.
“It wasn’t till our orientation for the Environmental Fellows Program at SEAS that I even thought of the precise puzzle piece that philanthropy performs in the best way through which the motion strikes,” stated Sahai. “I inherently knew that environmental organizations operated with budgets and funding, however I by no means actually thought of the place that funding got here from or what was at stake.”
Her newfound curiosity in funding blossomed simply months after incomes her grasp’s diploma—when Sahai took a place as a communications program coordinator on the Environmental Grantmakers Affiliation (EGA), a nonprofit group that works with members and companions to advertise simply, efficient philanthropy for individuals and the planet. Since early 2021, she has served because the director of justice and fairness at EGA in New York.
“Now that I’ve been within the area, I’ve discovered a lot extra about how philanthropy’s administrative processes have traditionally been an enormous burden—notably for smaller grassroots and frontline teams—to have the ability to safe the funding that they should do the work,” stated Sahai.
Fashioned in 1987, EGA membership spans greater than 200 foundations from around the globe, and contains environmental foundations, particular person donors, and giving applications on a number of scales.
“What unites our members is an actual curiosity in having the ability to advance sustainable options for individuals, place and planet with a racial fairness focus, particularly recognizing the historic marginalization of BIPOC people within the historical past of the environmental motion—and in addition the best way through which the idea of atmosphere is constructed,” stated Sahai.
In her present function, Sahai directs EGA’s signature occasions, together with the annual fall retreat that assists a whole bunch of funders, representing a broad spectrum of the environmental philanthropic group, in studying about points and collaborating on initiatives.
“Now we have this purpose of utilizing our occasions as key alternatives to convey our members collectively twice a 12 months, and provides a platform to leaders from throughout the motion who’re advancing essentially the most sustainable and revolutionary options on the bottom—however whose tales aren’t usually informed.
“That’s what actually energizes and excites me—discovering the voices and views of leaders who won’t have had lots of publicity prior to now, and offering an area for them to raise their concepts,” stated Sahai.
SEAS grasp’s undertaking: water justice
Reflecting on her time at U-M, which included serving because the vice chairman for variety in SEAS Scholar Authorities and dealing as a graduate pupil analysis assistant at U-M Engineering, Sahai made particular be aware of her grasp’s undertaking.
“What I discovered particularly vital in my time at SEAS was having the ability to work on a grasp’s undertaking with a concrete environmental justice drawback at its root, which was water affordability and family safety,” stated Sahai.
Sahai introduced useful expertise to the undertaking, having accomplished internships on the U.S. Environmental Safety Company within the Water Enforcement Division and within the Workplace of Environmental Justice whereas incomes her undergraduate diploma at Virginia Tech.
Affiliate Professor Tony Reames, now on go away to function Deputy Director for Vitality Justice on the U.S. Division of Vitality, acted as school advisor for Sahai’s grasp undertaking crew.
“Dr. Reames guided my undertaking group via that complete expertise to guarantee that we have been dealing with the connection with care,” Sahai associated. “As a result of it may be very difficult to characterize a analysis establishment that’s conducting a ‘case research,’ so to talk, when you’re finally attempting to advocate for that group.”
Along with their analysis paper, the grasp’s undertaking crew developed a coverage framework and a set of actionable suggestions that gained notable consideration.
“I heard that members of Congress reference this framework,” stated Sahai. “And that the analysis has been pivotal to grasp the best way to assemble problems with family affordability associated to water and water justice. That’s usually an unseen matter, particularly due to what number of urgent priorities individuals are balancing to fulfill their wants and be capable to survive, not to mention work in direction of thriving of their communities.
“It’s the piece of my SEAS expertise that I frequently revisit, and return to think about. How can we proceed to encourage this lens throughout methods? As a result of that additionally drives my present work—discovering systems-based options that heart justice and fairness.”
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