Nest Inc., a nonprofit founded in 2005 by Rebecca van Bergen, is helping women artisans turn traditional crafts into sustainable livelihoods. What started with $24,000 in seed funding has grown into a movement reaching 345,000 entrepreneurs in 47 states and 125 countries worldwide.
Nest offers more than just funding. Through business training, coaching, and access to major retail partnerships, artisans gain the tools they need to grow their businesses without taking on debt. Partnering with brands like FEED Projects, West Elm, Tory Burch, and L.L. Bean, Nest connects small makers with big markets.
One of Nest’s standout programs is the Makers Future Fund, which awards selected artisans a $5,000 grant, financial readiness training, and one-on-one coaching. This year, the program received a $300,000 boost from the Mastercard Impact Fund to expand work with Appalachian artisans.
The impact of these opportunities is clear. Woodworker Cynthia Main from Berea, Kentucky, used her Makers Future Fund grant to attend her first wholesale trade show in New York. Within a year, her annual profit doubled from $120,000 to more than $240,000. In eastern Kentucky, artisan Stef Ratliff leveraged Nest’s training to open her own Etsy shop and reach a national customer base.
Rebecca van Bergen’s approach sets Nest apart—by refusing to take a cut from artisans’ sales and avoiding microlending, the nonprofit ensures that women keep full control of their earnings. Instead, the focus is on building long-term skills, market connections, and financial resilience.
With annual revenue of $7.2 million and more than $10 million raised in grants since 2017, Nest continues to scale its mission while staying rooted in the belief that traditional crafts can be a powerful engine for economic independence.
For women artisans across the country, Nest is proving that with the right mix of funding, mentorship, and market access, creative skills can open the door to lasting business success.
About Gayle Smith Gay
Gayle Smith Gay is a seasoned small business owner with over two decades in the restaurant industry. Her career began in secretarial work, where she developed expertise in bookkeeping, accounting, and payroll—skills that became the foundation for her success in hospitality management. Today, she is recognized for her hands-on leadership, operational excellence, and dedication to supporting small businesses.
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