Dani Faulkner, a nonprofit development professional and client manager at Spark Point Fundraising, is a passionate advocate for equity and sustainability in the nonprofit sector. With her roots in storytelling as a playwright, Dani has transformed her ability to craft compelling narratives into a career dedicated to empowering communities and amplifying Black voices. Her work includes grant writing, strategic fundraising, and leading professional development workshops, all with a lens of equity and justice.
Her introduction to the nonprofit world was not traditional, nor was it planned. Growing up on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, Dani learned from her family and community the value of simply helping those in need. “Nonprofits weren’t part of my world. If someone needed help, you stepped up. That’s just how it was,” she recalls. However, moving to Baltimore changed her perspective. “Suddenly, I saw nonprofits working to help Black communities, but they were largely reliant on white donors. I didn’t understand the disconnect—why Black nonprofits weren’t funded by Black donors and why sustainability seemed so elusive for these organizations.”
This realization set Dani on a path to address the systemic inequities inherent in traditional philanthropy. During the pandemic, she started using the community-centric fundraising principles (CCF), a model that reimagines fundraising as a partnership with the community rather than a transactional process. Her work with the principles landed her a spot on their inaugural council where she served, amplifying the work. “CCF resonates because it centers the people you’re serving,” she explains. “It asks the deeper questions: Why are people giving? How does that align with the needs and desires of the community being served? It’s about dismantling power dynamics and creating meaningful, equitable relationships because not all money is good money; money equals power.”
Standing Firm in the Face of Challenges
Dani’s professional journey is marked by her unwavering commitment to her principles, even when it came at a personal cost. Before joining Spark Point, Dani served in a director-level position where she was often the only voice advocating for equity. “It’s exhausting to constantly be the person calling out inequities, especially when microaggressions and outright racist, white supremacist behaviors are part of the culture,” she says. “Those moments chip away at your confidence and sense of belonging. I decided to walk away because I refused to let that define me or my work.”
Her resilience is tied to the mentors who have guided her. Dani vividly recalls her first boss, a Black woman, who taught her the importance of owning her space in predominantly white environments. “She told me, ‘If you’re in the room, you belong there. Don’t let anyone treat you like you don’t.’” Early in her career, Dani was asked to get coffee by a white male board member during a meeting, but she declined. “My boss later said, ‘I’m glad you didn’t get that coffee because it would have set the tone for how people treated you in the space.’ That lesson has stayed with me. Whether I’m in a boardroom or meeting high-net-worth donors, I remind myself that I’m there to do my job—not to shrink or serve someone else’s ego.”
Nurturing the Next Generation of Change-Makers
Dani’s passion extends to mentoring the next generation of development professionals and grant writers. She is inspired by their boldness in addressing hard truths and their willingness to challenge outdated norms. “They’re fearless,” she says. “They’re not just talking about change; they’re making it happen faster than I ever could.”
At the same time, Dani stresses the importance of self-care in such demanding work. “Therapy has been a lifeline for me,” she shares. “It helps you recognize the weight of the work and find ways to protect yourself from burnout. Nonprofit missions aren’t going to get easier, but you have to show up in a way that doesn’t sacrifice your well-being.”
She urges young professionals to remember that their happiness and mental health matter. “This work is important, but it’s not worth losing yourself over. You can leave a job or even the sector entirely and still be whole. Prioritize your joy and your health. That’s the only way to make a lasting impact.”
A Commitment to Equity and Sustainability
At Spark Point, Dani is channeling her expertise and lived experiences into a role that aligns with her values. She partners with organizations, particularly those led by Black leaders, to secure sustainable funding through equity-driven strategies. “For me, it’s about ensuring that Black-led organizations aren’t just surviving—they’re thriving,” she explains. “We need to rewrite the narrative around funding and philanthropy so that it’s inclusive, equitable, and sustainable.”
Her journey from a playwright to a nonprofit leader is a testament to the power of storytelling—not just as a tool for fundraising, but as a means of amplifying underrepresented voices and driving systemic change. Through her work, Dani is building a legacy of equity, impact, and resilience, paving the way for a more just and inclusive philanthropic landscape.