About
Hi, I am Nehal Gandhi
I have spent over two decades in the nonprofit sector – helping organizations design budgets, align numbers with mission, and simplify back-office complexity so they can do what they do best.
My Story
When people hear I work in nonprofit finance, I often get asked:
“Do you volunteer?”
“Do you get paid?”
“What is your real job?”
These questions reflect common misconceptions about the social sector. For a long time, I felt the need to defend the work. Over time, I have learnt that the best response is to show how finance - when done right - can drive outcomes, impact, and systems change. Nonprofits have every right to generate surpluses, and charity is a form of business, too.
I entered this field over 20 years ago and have seen it evolve dramatically. Nonprofits are more innovative, accountable, and complex than ever, and so are the funding structures that support them.
Why Social Echoes
Social Echoes is my platform to share what I have learned, offer hands-on support, and collaborate with others reimagining how the social sector works. The name reflects my belief that every financial decision creates an echo that shapes a nonprofit’s mission, communities, and the broader impact it can have on society.
My Experience
Before founding Social Echoes, I worked with organizations including the Sir Ratan Tata Trust, Aga Khan Education Services, Institute of International Education (IIE), and International Youth Foundation (IYF). I have supported programs across sectors and geographies, from grassroots education to public-private partnerships to federal cost proposal development. I also serve on the board of Game Genius, a DC-based nonprofit that leverages games to promote social impact.
What I Bring
· Deep nonprofit finance leadership experience
· An equity-grounded approach to budgeting, operations, and strategy
· Hands-on, affordable support for nonprofits at all stages
Clients
Through Social Echoes, I have had the privilege of partnering with a range of mission-driven clients on finance operations, budgeting and philanthropic initiatives.
