The Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access Fellowship (IDEA) is a year-long program for fundraisers from underrepresented communities, including fundraisers of color (African-American, Latinx, Hispanic, Asian), LGBTQ and/or gender nonconforming fundraisers, Indigenous, other underrepresented communities, and emerging fundraisers who work at smaller, under-resourced nonprofits. The program is intended to recruit, retain, and educate diverse nonprofit fundraisers with the intent to increase the number of diverse fundraising/nonprofit professionals in the Bay Area.
Kahmina Ford
Board Member, SEEDS Community Resolution Center
How did you first get involved in the nonprofit sector? What inspired you to do this work?
My path into the nonprofit sector was not a traditional one. Before entering academia, I worked as a 911 operator and police dispatcher, where I regularly encountered people and families during moments of crisis, conflict, and harm. My experience gave me an early view into how our systems respond when conflict has already escalated, and it stayed with me when I eventually left emergency communications to pursue a career in science and academia.
While completing my PhD at UC Berkeley, I was introduced to restorative justice at the Restorative Justice Center on campus and began learning about approaches to conflict and harm that center accountability, relationship, repair, and community rather than relying solely on punitive responses. That framework resonated deeply with me and led me to become a Restorative Justice Graduate Student Ambassador and complete an intensive 18-month training and leadership program. I began applying what I was learning within my own Biophysics graduate program by developing restorative justice initiatives and creating opportunities for greater community-building and conflict engagement.
That work eventually expanded beyond my graduate program. I became an independent contractor with Circles for Social Change, where I gained experience facilitating and mediating conflicts on campus and helping train others to incorporate restorative practices into their own environments. Iāve had the opportunity to work with people thinking about restorative implementation across schools, hospitals, organizations, and other institutions throughout the Bay Area. I believe that conflict-resolution skills should not be reserved for professional mediators but are community skills that anyone can learn and use in their everyday lives.
What has kept me committed to this work is seeing how powerful a restorative framework can be in practice. It creates room to center the needs and experiences of people who have been harmed while still allowing the possibility of accountability, learning, and transformation for those who have caused harm. Iāve also learned that conflict is rarely black and white. Sometimes what someone needs most is simply for the impact of what happened to be genuinely acknowledged. Restorative practices have transformed how I approach conflict in my own life and relationships, while also helping me create some incredibly meaningful and beautiful spaces in my professional and community work.
My journey eventually led me to SEEDS Community Resolution Center, where I was given the opportunity to not only participate in an existing organization, but to help shape and rebuild one as a Board Member. SEEDS has given me an opportunity to take what I have learned through restorative justice, mediation, facilitation, and community engagement and think more broadly about how we can make these tools accessible beyond institutions, so that people in community have greater capacity to navigate conflict, address harm, and create opportunities for repair themselves.
Please tell us about your current role and responsibilities.
I serve on the Board of Directors of SEEDS Community Resolution Center as Secretary and Affairs Manager, Committee Lead for Community Engagement, Responsiveness and Research, and a Philanthropy & Fundraising Strategist. My work spans organizational strategy, community engagement, fundraising and development, communications, program development, and strengthening the systems and infrastructure that support SEEDSā restorative justice and community mediation work. I also help build partnerships, coordinate outreach and events, research community needs and funding opportunities, and support efforts to expand SEEDSā capacity to provide accessible, community-centered approaches to conflict transformation.
I am also a rising 6th year Biophysics PhD candidate studying glioblastoma, an aggressive and difficult-to-treat form of brain cancer. My research focuses on understanding how the environment surrounding tumor cells influences their behavior and response to treatment. I develop laboratory models that mimic different features of brain tissue, which allows me to study how cancer cells respond to changes in their surroundings outside of a living animal or person. I am responsible for designing and carrying out experiments, analyzing and interpreting data, troubleshooting complex problems, and communicating my findings through presentations and scientific writing.
What are some highlights in your current role and in your career? What has been the biggest challenge?
Some of the highlights of my career have come from having opportunities to work across very different spaces. As a PhD candidate in Biophysics at UC Berkeley, Iāve conducted interdisciplinary research, received competitive fellowships, participated in advanced scientific training and microscopy programs around the country, and contributed to scientific and academic communities. At the same time, Iāve developed a parallel body of work in restorative justice, conflict resolution, community engagement, nonprofit leadership, and philanthropy.
One of my proudest accomplishments in my current role has been helping successfully relaunch SEEDS Community Resolution Center at a time when the organization was facing near dissolution. As a Board, we have worked to rebuild much of the organizationās infrastructure from the ground up, reestablish our presence in the community, develop a fundraising strategy, host in-person community events, recruit and engage volunteers, raise funds, and provide free conflict-resolution training and resources. It has been incredibly meaningful to help move SEEDS from a period of uncertainty toward rebuilding its capacity to provide community mediation, restorative practices, training, and other conflict-resolution services. My participation in the IDEA Fellowship is helping me develop the philanthropic skills and relationships that can support the next stage of that growth.
One of my biggest challenges has been learning how to balance ambition with capacity. I tend to see what is possible and want to help make it happen, whether in science, community work, or nonprofit leadership. Iāve learned that sustainable leadership also requires prioritizing, setting boundaries, sharing responsibility, and building systems that do not depend on any one person to succeed. Learning how to contribute meaningfully while protecting the time and energy necessary for my family, career, and personal growth continues to be an important part of my development as a leader.
What professional knowledge would you impart to other nonprofit fundraisers?
One of the most important lessons I am learning is the power of storytelling. I’m learning that fundraising is about more than presenting a need or asking for financial support and emphasizes the human impact behind the mission. A compelling story can help someone see why the work matters and, importantly, see themselves as part of it. I think effective fundraising invites people into the mission rather than simply asking them to fund it. Whether someone contributes their time, resources, expertise, connections, or financial support, creating a sense of shared purpose and belonging can turn a transaction into a meaningful relationship. As I continue growing as a fundraiser, emphasis on humanity, connection, and authentic relationship-building is something I want to carry with me.
How did you get involved with AFP?
I became involved with AFP through the Golden Gate Chapter Fellows Program while representing SEEDS Community Resolution Center. I was interested in developing stronger skills in philanthropy and fundraising to help support SEEDSā growth and long-term sustainability. As someone whose background is primarily in science, community engagement, and restorative justice, the fellowship has also given me an opportunity to intentionally expand my professional skill set and learn more about relationship-centered fundraising, development strategy, and the broader philanthropic sector.
What advice would you give to others who are considering applying for the IDEA Fellowship?
I would encourage anyone considering the IDEA Fellowship to apply, regardless of where they are in their fundraising journey. One thing I have really appreciated is that the fellowship is supportive of people coming in with a wide range of professional backgrounds and levels of fundraising experience. For me, the IDEA Fellowship is supporting the very beginning of my journey in fundraising and philanthropy, while giving me access to the knowledge, relationships, and resources I need to grow.
My advice would be to take full advantage of that access. I try to attend meetings and events, participate in webinars and professional development opportunities, network with people in the philanthropic community, and learn from the experiences of other AFP members. Be curious, ask questions, and don’t feel like you need to already know everything about fundraising to belong in the space. The more you engage with the opportunities and community available through the fellowship, the more you can get out of the experience.
How do you balance your personal and professional life?
I think of balance as something I continually work toward rather than something I have perfectly figured out. As a PhD candidate, a parent, and someone involved in several forms of community and professional work, I have learned the importance of being intentional about where I invest my time and energy. I try to prioritize the commitments that align most closely with my values and long-term goals while also making space for family, friendships, fitness, creativity, and rest. Iāve also learned that balance sometimes means setting boundaries, saying no, and recognizing that I donāt have to do everything at once. Ultimately, I try to build a life where my professional ambitions and community work are meaningful parts of who I am without allowing them to become all of who I am.
What are some activities you enjoy outside of work?
Outside of work, I love staying active through indoor cycling at my local CycleBar and other fitness activities, crocheting, taking on creative projects (3D printing, sewing, crafting), and exploring community events around the Bay Area. I also enjoy singing and performing, trying new foods and restaurants, and spending time with my son, friends, and pets. Iām naturally curious, so Iām usually learning something new or picking up a new hobby!
What career goals do you still want to pursue or accomplish?
My immediate goal is to complete my PhD in Biophysics at UC Berkeley and transition into a career in intellectual property and patent law, where I can combine my scientific expertise with my interests in advocacy, communication, and strategy. I plan to pursue the patent agent/attorney pathway and ultimately build a career at the intersection of science, law, and innovation.
Alongside my professional career, I want to continue developing my work in conflict mediation, restorative justice, and community-based conflict resolution. One of my goals for SEEDS Community Resolution Center is to help build the philanthropic and organizational capacity necessary to make conflict resolution resources more accessible to our communities. I would especially like to expand opportunities for free or low-cost community trainings that give people practical tools for navigating conflict, strengthen community mediation services, and support organizations, schools, and community groups in implementing restorative practices. I am particularly interested in helping people learn the skills and resources to address conflict constructively before it escalates into greater harm.
Long term, I hope to bring together my experiences in science, law, philanthropy, leadership, and restorative justice to create opportunities and invest in work that strengthens communities and expands access to resources that are too often inaccessible to the people who need them most.