Podcast Summary: Nonprofit Lowdown Episode #343

Title: Defending Democracy + Raising Money for Policy with Amri Price
Host: Rhea Wong
Guest: Amri Price, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Alliance for Europe
Release Date: June 23, 2025

Introduction to Alliance for Europe

In this episode of Nonprofit Lowdown, host Rhea Wong welcomes Amri Price, the co-founder and managing director of Alliance for Europe. Amri outlines the organization's mission to combat the rise of autocratic regimes by preserving democratic institutions and fostering citizen participation.

Amri Price [01:23]: "Democracy is multi-layered. There is citizen participation, election integrity, and a lot of technology involved. At the end of the day, it comes down to can I live my life the way I want to?"

The Urgency of Defending Democracy

Amri emphasizes the critical state of democracy both in the United States and Europe. He draws parallels between current events and historical instances of authoritarianism, highlighting the importance of democratic safeguards like the U.S. Constitution and the European Union's founding principles.

Amri Price [02:00]: "None of us wants to walk down the street and be thrown into the back of a van and disappear... this is why we have the United States Constitution."

Combating Misinformation and Influence Operations

A significant portion of the discussion focuses on fighting misinformation, especially in the context of the last European elections. Amri explains how Alliance for Europe employs digital intelligence to identify and counter disinformation campaigns orchestrated by state-affiliated actors.

Amri Price [04:31]: "We collect digital intelligence, analyze the information space, counter disinformation operations, and run citizen activation campaigns to shift the ecosystem forward."

He highlights the organization's innovative approach of borrowing cybersecurity best practices to thwart influence operations, a method now adopted by the European Union and NATO.

Challenges in Nonprofit Operations

Amri candidly discusses the difficulties faced by Alliance for Europe, particularly regarding funding and the European nonprofit landscape. He shares insights into the organization's strategic pivots from building collaborative platforms to focusing on hands-on campaigning and developing a prominent brand to attract funders.

Amri Price [07:49]: "Running a nonprofit, especially in Europe, is not easy. We've had to pivot from infrastructure building to hands-on work because funders were not willing to support costly platforms."

The Power of Branding in Fundraising

Rhea praises the strong branding of Alliance for Europe, prompting Amri to delve into the importance of emotional connections in fundraising. He emphasizes that effective branding isn't about dumbing down messages but about making them accessible and relatable.

Amri Price [11:35]: "Human beings need an emotional connection. It's about having the trust and intuitive attraction, especially when talking about something as abstract as democracy."

Making Democracy Real and Urgent

Addressing the challenge of making an abstract concept like democracy tangible, Amri explains strategies to convey urgency. He draws connections between current events, such as the situation in Ukraine, and the broader fight against authoritarianism to make the cause more relatable and urgent for supporters.

Amri Price [15:43]: "Relating to the experience of Ukrainian refugees has made the abstract concept of democracy more vivid and real for people."

Overcoming Fundraising Hurdles

The conversation shifts to the realities of fundraising, with both Rhea and Amri acknowledging the persistence required to succeed. Amri shares the psychological resilience needed to handle frequent rejections and the importance of maintaining a systematic approach to fundraising.

Amri Price [22:04]: "Fundraising can be extremely frustrating. You fail a lot more often than you succeed, and you need to develop the psychology to not let it burn you out."

The Role of AI in Defending Democracy

When discussing the impact of AI, Amri expresses both optimism and concern. He notes AI's potential to streamline administrative tasks within nonprofits but warns against its misuse in disinformation campaigns. Amri envisions a future where AI aids in countering propaganda, likening it to "Robot wars online."

Amri Price [25:46]: "AI has a lot of positive potential and a lot of potential harm. We need it to enhance human capacity and ensure it does not make us dependent or subjugated."

Benefits of Working with Rhea Wong

In the latter part of the episode, Amri reflects on his collaboration with Rhea Wong's programs. He credits her expertise in fundraising strategies and mindset shifts for helping Alliance for Europe systematize their approach and develop sustainable fundraising processes.

Amri Price [32:58]: "Working with Rhea has helped us systematize our fundraising approach, making our processes more sustainable and effective."

Conclusion

Rhea wraps up the episode by highlighting the symbiotic relationship between effective fundraising and impactful social initiatives. She underscores the necessity of selling a compelling vision to drive nonprofit success, echoing themes discussed throughout the conversation.

Rhea Wong [37:08]: "You need to sell a vision of a better world while ensuring you're delivering that social impact—much like running a business with both production and marketing teams."

Amri expresses gratitude for the support and concludes with optimism for Alliance for Europe's continued efforts to defend democracy.

Key Takeaways:

• Alliance for Europe is at the forefront of combating misinformation and defending democratic institutions in Europe.
• Effective fundraising in the nonprofit sector requires a strong, relatable brand and a systematic approach.
• Emotional connections and simplified messaging are crucial in making abstract concepts like democracy tangible and urgent.
• AI presents both opportunities and challenges in the fight against authoritarianism, necessitating careful and strategic use.
• Collaboration and expert guidance can significantly enhance nonprofit organizations' fundraising efficacy and operational sustainability.

Notable Quotes:

• "Democracy is multi-layered... can I live my life the way I want to?" — Amri Price [01:23]
• "AI has a lot of positive potential and a lot of potential harm." — Amri Price [25:46]
• "You need to sell a vision of a better world while ensuring you're delivering that social impact." — Rhea Wong [37:08]

For more insights and resources on running your nonprofit effectively, subscribe to Rhea Wong's Nonprofit Lowdown.