Standing Out: Communicating Your Nonprofit’s Unique Impact with Shilpa Alva of Surge for Water

In a crowded nonprofit landscape, clearly conveying what sets your organization apart is crucial for building connections and support. In this episode of Health Nonprofit Digital Marketing, Spencer Brooks speaks with Shilpa Alva, the founder of Surge for Water, about strategies for communicating unique organizational qualities, such as a women-led approach and specialized programs, in ways that resonate with donors and partners. This episode is packed with insights for nonprofit leaders who want to amplify their message and highlight their impact effectively.

About the guest

Shilpa Alva is the founder and Executive Director of Surge for Water, a nonprofit organization dedicated to addressing the cycle of poverty through access to safe water and sanitation solutions. Since its founding 15 years ago, Surge has impacted hundreds of thousands of people in 12 countries. Shilpa’s journey didn’t start in the International Nonprofit world. After graduating from Johns Hopkins University with a Chemical Engineering degree, she joined the corporate world and earned her MBA from the Carlson School at the University of Minnesota. After a successful corporate career in Supply Chain Management, she made the bold choice to follow her purpose and live fully in alignment with it. She went from running the organization on nights and weekends to going all the way in! 

Resources

• Website: Surge for Water: https://surgeforwater.org/
• Shilpa’s TEDx talk
• Surge’s women-led, women-centered model: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyduyMr-6ag

Contact Shilpa

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shilpa-alva-858b841/
• Surge for Water Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/surgeforwater/
• Surge for Water YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCInQiHpaZ-zee2jDI2Sj52Q