Luis Islas, CFRE, has dedicated his career to promoting human rights, opportunities for others, and the power of education. He serves as the Senior Development Officer at the University of Minnesota Duluth, a Human Rights Commissioner for the City of Duluth, and the Founder and President of Raíces Rising Consulting.
In a 2022 TEDx talk, Luis spoke about growing up in poverty and how his parents’ decision to move the family to Boise, Idaho, provided him with the education and opportunities to attend college and pursue a career in advocacy and fundraising.
Through his work with his consulting firm, the university, and the City of Duluth, Luis emphasizes deep roots in community and the transformative work of lifting others …
From Poverty to Opportunity
Growing up, I alternated between being unhoused in the streets of Portland, Oregon, and living in a city once dubbed the murder capital of the United States, East Palo Alto. The older I became, the more I started to get involved with the wrong circles of people. Specifically, I was beginning to get involved in gang activity as a teenager.
My parents made the hard decision to remove me from that atmosphere by moving to Boise, Idaho, where we had no family, no friends, and no connections. However, living in a safe environment exposed me to resources and opportunities with career counselors, extracurricular activities, and AP classes. Had we not moved, who knows where I would have ended up.
Growing up under these circumstances exposed me to the countless nonprofits and organizations whose sole mission was to lift vulnerable communities out of systemic poverty and vicious cycles of oppression.
I was exposed to passionate volunteers at food banking systems, brilliant board members, and staff who truly believed in my family and me. These organizations were more than a resource; they were a part of my community. Even through the hardest times, when I thought I had begun to lose my way, those within these organizations still believed in me and saw something that I didn’t see in myself.
They saved my life. And this is why it is not only a duty of mine to give back, but an absolute pleasure. It’s why I started Raíces Rising Consulting; so that I could lower the barriers that many small nonprofits face when looking to fund their missions. If you want to change the world, you have to find a way to pay for it. We specifically work with nonprofits that are looking to do just that—make an impact.
Education has the Power to Change Lives
I was the first in my family to attend college, and subsequently, the first in my family to attend graduate school. I had no idea what I was doing or how scholarships worked, much less the complexities of financial aid. However, this was one of the first times in my life that I was able to be curious, ask questions, and learn about topics I found interesting and fascinating.
Graduating from college also allowed me the opportunity to work and live abroad through the Peace Corps, something I would have never been able to do had I not attended. It allowed me to see the world and provided me with the tools and knowledge to help my siblings, cousins, aunts, and others to successfully apply to college … and get in.
My education provided me with the lens that there are countless others who also need the helping hand that I received, time and time again.
Strengthening His Impact with CFRE
Working to make an impact in our communities through philanthropy is a privilege. I decided to earn CFRE certification to continue engaging with people who are passionate about making a difference. By earning my CFRE, I’ve found community, grown professionally, and been recognized as a leader in the field—all hugely benefited my career.
Since earning the CFRE, I’ve secured new job opportunities and have been sought out by numerous nonprofit organizations for support. They now see me as a philanthropic expert, which is what has allowed me to create my own consultancy. I’m able to help them create sustainable systems from the ground up in all facets of the donor pyramid.
I believe that every nonprofit is different—sure, they might have similar budgets, staff sizes, and origins—but at the end of the day, their approaches and needs often drastically differ from one another. My approach to supporting my nonprofit clients is learning who they are and ensuring my skills align with their long-term visions.
Nonprofits are changing the world every day, and it’s an absolute privilege to be part of their story. I hope I can continue to inspire others to join the field and highlight the importance of giving back.