Today we’d like to introduce you to Edvin Davoodian
Hi Edvin, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Well, I feel that we all maintain some sense of responsibility in taking care of and promoting our society and communities. I have always been involved in charitable initiatives. When I was 13, my sister and I had volunteered to clean up the Sepulveda Wildlife Basin near Lake Balboa. I’ve also been part of my schools “Green Team”, where we would promote environmentally-conscious habits and clean up public spaces like the Santa Monica Pier. It wasn’t until junior year of high school, when I first read President John F. Kennedy’s Inaugural Address, where he said, “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country”, which led me to enlist in the United States Army Reserves. Helping our communities was always a focal point in that decision as well, but I felt that there was much more that I can do. This process took a few months, but it led me to creating The New Frontier Foundation, which is a small nonprofit that helps promote environmental conservation, animal, welfare, youth health & wellness, aid for the homeless, and anything else in between!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Definitely not. My thought was always to wait until I saved up a certain amount of money to begin all this so I can really get some work done as soon as I can, but I realized that I can still help in the early stages of the nonprofit with minimal funds. The struggles as of right now are just trying to grow our exposure to bring in more donations/volunteers, while also applying for some federal and state grants to get us up and running. I recently secured a small grant from a State organization and all of the funds for that are going towards our wildlife clean-up initiatives, as well as a short documentary that aims to educate the larger audience on the importance of taking care of our wildlife habitats and communities as a whole! We are still in the very early stages of our work, but I always see a light at the end of the tunnel. To me, it doesn’t matter how “smooth” the road is, as long as we get the job done and help as many living beings as we can.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
In my personal life, I am a paralegal at a Personal Injury firm in Los Angeles, as well as a full-time student studying Political Science. My goals are to become a licensed attorney in the field of Environmental and Civil Rights law, while growing my nonprofit every step of the way. I am certainly proud of my experience serving my country in the United States Army Reserves, but being able to help provide for my family is, without a doubt, my proudest achievement. They are my backbone, so being there for them is the least that I can do. In terms of what sets me apart from others, I believe, is my commitment to getting the job done, regardless of how strenuous or difficult it may be. My father instilled in me- at a very young age- that we must be capable of tackling anything that life throws at us, whether we like it or not, because that is how we grow as human beings. I remind myself that things can always be worse and we are fortunate enough to get out of bed everyday, so we definitely need to make the most out of our days as we can.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
Well, over the next 5-10 years, I see the nonprofit sector, especially those focused on environmental conservation, animal welfare, youth health and wellness, and aid for the homeless, undergoing significant transformations regarding an increased emphasis on sustainability, technological integration, youth engagement, policy advocacy, and much more!
There will be a stronger focus on sustainable practices and programs. Nonprofits will likely adopt eco-friendly initiatives, from green energy solutions to zero-waste operations, reflecting a broader societal push towards sustainability. The use of technology will become more prevalent. Digital platforms for fundraising, virtual reality experiences to raise awareness, and data analytics for program evaluation will become standard, I believe. This will enhance efficiency, outreach, and engagement with a global audience. There will be a growing emphasis on engaging youth in these causes. Programs tailored to educate and involve young people in environmental and social initiatives will expand, fostering a new generation of advocates and leaders. There will be a stronger push for policy changes at local, national, and global levels. The New Frontier Foundation is committed on staying out of policy and legislation advocacy since we understand that our funds can be put to better use in our local communities, however, larger nonprofits (like the WaterKeeper Alliance) will play a critical roles in advocating for laws and regulations that support their respective causes.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://newfrontierfoundation.org
- Instagram: @newfrontierfoundation
