Nest: Growing the U.S. craft economy through maker-centered business support

Our programs

Nest addresses the unique needs of artisans and makers, prioritizing their well-being, their communities, and their business interests to positively impact thousands of skilled craft workers worldwide.

How Nest supports small businesses

  • Creative work is often undervalued in the formal economy — yet for many makers, it is both a livelihood and a means of cultural expression. Nest is a nonprofit reimagining the role of craft as a pathway to economic inclusion for historically marginalized individuals. Through its international Nest Guild, the organization provides no-cost business development programming for artisan and maker entrepreneurs, many of whom work independently or in small, informal networks.
  • Nest’s approach is rooted in trust and long-term investment. Its programs are designed not just to teach business skills, but to honor the knowledge makers already bring — and to connect them with the tools, networks, and visibility needed to grow their creative businesses.

Program overview

Our work together

  • With support from Mastercard Strive USA, Nest is expanding its Makers United program, which provides small-scale makers across the U.S. with the resources, relationships, and training needed to grow sustainable businesses in the digital economy. Together, Nest and Mastercard Strive USA are advancing a model that recognizes the value of creativity while removing structural barriers that often keep low-income and historically excluded makers on the margins.
  • This collaboration focuses on three key areas: first, building a robust e-commerce technical assistance program that includes a virtual learning pathway, a digital resource library, and one-on-one market access mentorship; second, increasing maker visibility through curated opportunities to connect directly with buyers and expand into new markets; and third, offering targeted workshops on topics like brand storytelling, digital merchandising, online sales, and social media engagement. As part of its place-based strategy, Makers United also maps and connects the local ecosystems of support that help creative entrepreneurs thrive.

By the numbers

  • As of June 2025, the Nest Guild included 3,200+ artisan businesses across 125+ countries.
  • As of March 2025, more than 900 makers in the U.S. have participated in e-commerce training, mentorship, and resource programming through Makers United. More than 180 maker-entrepreneurs are now actively selling on e-commerce platforms with Nest’s support.

“Mastercard Strive’s support has been critical to expanding Nest’s work with makers in the U.S., particularly those in areas that are often overlooked like Appalachia. With their support we can continue to invest deeply in historically underserved communities—supporting talented makers and creative entrepreneurs with the resources, training, and opportunities they need to thrive. In addition to making our world more beautiful, makers are essential to our local economies and they need our support now more than ever before.”

Rebecca van Bergen

Founder & Executive Director, Nest

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