Episode 83: Burn It Down or Build It Better? Reckoning with Power in the Nonprofit Sector
From Gathering Ground by Mary F. Morten
February 20, 2026 · 1h 9m · Season 1 · Episode 83
About this episode
This episode features Bina Patel and Vu Le discussing the challenges and inequalities within the nonprofit sector.
This episode of "Gathering Ground" brings together two sector-shifting leaders: Bina Patel, CEO of Saathi Impact Consulting, and Vu Le, writer of the blog Nonprofit AF. With honesty and clarity, they join Mary to examine how the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors perpetuate inequality, reward compliance, and resist transformation. Together, they explore how movements are being co-opted, how "toxic intellectualizing" replaces real action, and why we must stop maintaining systems we claim to be dismantling. Episode Highlights:- Bina Patel on strategic compliance and the quiet parts that keep systems unjust- Vu Le on the myth of philanthropy and why nonprofits must get political- A call to stop obeying tyranny in advance and begin organizing for collective liberation Links and Resources:- Saathi Impact Consulting – https://saathiimpact.com- Nonprofit AF Blog – https://nonprofitaf.com/ If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to Gathering Ground and leave us a review! Follow Morten Group, LLC on Instagram @mortengroup for more updates.
People in this episode
Host: Mary
Guests: Bina Patel, Vu Le
Topics covered
- nonprofit sector
- philanthropy
- inequality
- collective liberation
- strategic compliance
Keywords
- power dynamics
- toxic intellectualizing
- social justice
- activism
Mentioned in this episode
Products: Saathi Impact Consulting, Nonprofit AF Blog
Books & works: Burn It Down, Gathering Ground
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- Episode 84: Funding Justice: Community Power and the Future of Philanthropy · March 12, 2026 · 1h 18m
- Episode 82: State by State: The Ongoing Fight for LGBTQ+ Rights · January 29, 2026 · 1h 0m
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