Southern California Collaborative

SoCal Collaborative

Uplifting Southern California's nonprofit ecosystem through capacity building

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Current Members Include

About the SoCal Collaborative

The Southern California Capacity Building Collaborative (SoCal Collaborative) aims to strengthen the region’s nonprofit sector by making capacity building support more dynamic, responsive, and cost-effective.

The SoCal Collaborative leverages Catchafire’s innovative online platform to match nonprofits with skilled professionals for unlimited, virtual pro bono engagements. There are 150+ pre-scoped projects, ranging from pivoting to remote work and website development, to fundraising and executive coaching, and many more. Nonprofits have unlimited access to Catchafire’s nonprofit advisors and support, along with live and on-demand trainings.

In its first two years, pro bono volunteers have supported hundreds of SoCal nonprofits, completing over 22,000 hours of work, on 1,200 projects, and providing the nonprofits with over $4.6 million in capacity building support. The Collaborative has proved to be a valuable “beyond the grant” resource for nonprofits of all sizes, filling a critical need for flexible, online capacity building support.

If you are interested in participating in the SoCal Collaborative, please reach out directly to Larry Eason, VP of Partnerships, at [email protected] or directly to [email protected].
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How do foundations and Catchafire work together? We partner with grantmakers to design and implement programs that empower nonprofits to connect directly with highly-skilled, mission-driven pro bono professionals to fulfill a range of operational needs.

Each foundation program consists of the following components:

1. Online Platform: Customized page for nonprofits to register and use as a home base for posting projects to support their operational and capacity building needs.

2. Education and Marketing: In-person and digital education campaigns to drive nonprofit adoption and engagement.

3. Unlimited Support: Team of nonprofit advisors and customer success experts to provide organizations with a guided experience.

4. Impact Tracking & Reporting: Organizational and program-level impact tracking to help funders better understand grantee needs.

HAPPENING NOW

Michelle matched with Karisa from Ocean Blue Project, Inc for a Flexible Graphic Design Support project!

Castle Museum of Saginaw County History received an application from Kelly for an Illustration project.

Mission Bit received an application from Nazrul for a Search Engine Optimization Audit project.

Mott Haven Fridge Network received an application from Erick Enrique for a Copywriting project.

LESLIE from Justice For Housing listed a Flexible Human Resources Support project.

JoAnn from Heart of the Rockies Initiative listed a Marketing Materials consultation call.

Ksenia matched with Shannon from HomeBound Baltimore Inc for a Brand Messaging consultation call!

Patricia from Girls Inc. (Project Accelerate) listed an Organizational Strategy consultation call.

Diamond from Diamond Stamp listed a Logo Design & Visual Brand Identity project.

Janet from Julia's Grace Foundation listed a Thank You Letter project.

Diamond from Diamond Stamp listed an Online Research project.

Avery matched with Rashida from My S.I.S.T.A.H.S. Keeper Inc for a Social Media Content Calendar project!

Diamond from Diamond Stamp listed a Webinar Set Up & Training project.

Diamond from Diamond Stamp listed a Partnership Proposal Presentation project.

Diamond from Diamond Stamp listed a Website Copywriting project.

Myles matched with Maryann from United NEPA Alliance for a Fundraising Plan Assessment project!

Gregory matched with Tammy from Empowering the Masses for an Organizational Strategy consultation call!

Ellen from Preality listed a Social Media Set Up project.

RUTH matched with JeJuan from John & JeJuan Stewart Jr. Foundation for a Human Resources consultation call!

Koop matched with Deborah from unPrison Project for an Audio Editing project!

Ladislaus from Adilisha listed an Organization Goal Setting project.

Chelsea from Alzheimer's Research and Prevention Foundation listed an Impact Report Graphic Design project.

JeJuan from John & JeJuan Stewart Jr. Foundation listed an Operating Budget project.

Tammy from Empowering the Masses listed a Social Media consultation call.

Junior Achievement of Memphis and the Mid-South received an application from Priyanshi for an Excel Training project.

E-RoadMap Corporation received an application from Lewis for a Professional Bio Writing project.

GENERATIONAL WEALTH EDUCATORS received an application from Anower for an Accounting Systems Set Up project.

The Chicago Music Consortium received an application from Eric for a Website Set Up (CMS-Based) project.

Con Mi MADRE received an application from INAYAT for a Press Kit project.

Meals on Wheels North Central Texas received an application from INAYAT for a Fundraising Plan Assessment project.

Ronald McDonald House received an application from Nwankwo for an Excel Training project.

Catch the Next, Inc. received an application from Wilson for a Finance consultation call.

Texas Empowerment Academy received an application from Wilson for a Copyediting project.

unPrison Project received an application from Albert for a Press Release project.

Multi-Agency Alliance for Children, Inc. received an application from Waseem for a Logo Design project.

ChildSavers received an application from Marina for a Translation project.

LINC received an application from Kedar for a Google Workspace Set Up project.

Parents Against Bullying received an application from Altemir for a Brochure Graphic Design project.

Association for the Advancement of Filipino American Arts and Culture received an application from ESMA for an Illustration project.

CASA of Jefferson and Gilpin Counties received an application from Attai for a Website Major Update project.

Economic Growth Business Incubator received an application from Attai for a Website Copywriting project.

Climate Emergency Uk received an application from Artem for a Finance consultation call.

Ezekiel Hope received an application from Attai for a Customer Database (CRM) Set Up project.

Climate Arc received an application from Attai for a Customer Database (CRM) Set Up project.

MINDSET OF CHAMPIONS, INC. received an application from Boniface for a Pricing Strategy project.

ELEMENTAL MUSIC received an application from Arstio for a Google Ads Set Up project.

Hemisfair Conservancy received an application from shahid for a Flexible Graphic Design Support project.

Climate Arc received an application from christopher for a Tech Systems consultation call.

Home of the Sparrow received an application from rafay for an Impact Report Graphic Design project.

The Chicago Music Consortium received an application from Ghazal for a Flexible Graphic Design Support project.

How It Works for Nonprofits

Whether nonprofits need pro bono support on a project, or want advice from an industry expert, they can get it all done with Catchafire.

1. Explore Available Projects

Nonprofits can browse through over 100 pre-scoped projects and consultation topics.

2. Nonprofits can find a Pro Bono Professional

Nonprofits can review applications from interested professionals and choose the right match.

3. Get Things Done

When they're ready, nonprofits then kick off the project and start making progress.

Two ways to connect!

Consultation Calls

Get on the phone with an industry expert to get answers to burning questions, brainstorm organizational challenges, or get feedback.

Projects

Work with a skilled professional to complete critical projects such as graphic design, website development, copywriting, database customization, and more!

Frequently Asked Questions

New around here? Start with the basics.

What is Catchafire?

Catchafire is an online platform for virtual, skills-based volunteering. Through Catchafire, professionals are able to directly support causes they care about by helping nonprofits with projects that match their skill sets. And because projects can be completed from anywhere, Catchafire makes it possible for organizations and skilled volunteers to connect for good, from all around the world!

What is skills-based volunteering?

Skills-based volunteering is a high impact form of volunteering that allows an individual to donate his or her professional skills and expertise, which in turn allows a nonprofit to build its capacity and focus more efficiently on its mission.

Skilled volunteers help nonprofits fill critical knowledge and staffing gaps, they work as thought partners on strategic projects, and they complete specific projects that require specialized skills, training, or experience. Very often, the relationships between volunteers and nonprofits extend far beyond the scope of the initial project that brought them together.

A specific example of skills-based volunteering is a marketing professional who volunteers to help a nonprofit create a marketing strategy.

Who are current SoCal Collaborative Partners?

The SoCal Collaborative was launched in 2019 with The Annenberg Foundation as our presenting partner. We are in active conversation with other leading foundations in the Greater L.A. area. Interested in learning more? Request an invite by emailing [email protected].

How can my foundation participate in the SoCal Collaborative?

Participation in the SoCal Collaborative is currently on an invitation-only basis. To request an invitation and more information, please email us at [email protected].

What is the relationship between Catchafire and the SoCal Collaborative?

The SoCal Collaborative is a think tank of leading foundations based in the Greater Los Angeles area. Catchafire is the convening body.

Is this the first region-wide Catchafire program?

Our first Catchafire collaborative of foundations launched in the Bay Area in 2018 in partnership with The San Francisco Foundation.

How long will it take for nonprofits to match with a volunteer on a project?

On average, projects are matched within two weeks.

How do nonprofits find out about Catchafire?

Once Catchafire and a foundation agree to partner, our foundation accounts team works with the foundation to create a customized communications plan. All program-affiliated nonprofits will receive both an email and an invitation to connect in-person for an informative launch event that showcases the platform and helps to answer questions.

Do nonprofits receive offline support?

Yes! We have a great team of nonprofit advisors available to answer technological questions, guide project plans and address any concerns as they arise.

Where do volunteers find out about Catchafire?

Skilled pro-bono volunteers find Catchafire through our partnership with LinkedIn, corporate engagement programs with leading Fortune 500 companies, and through a good old-fashioned online search. They’re talented and passionate about helping others.

Foundation Feedback

“By bringing capacity-building support to organizations previously unable to access these resources, this revolutionary partnership will empower social good leaders to operate stronger, more sustainable, and more effective organizations and in turn strengthen nonprofits across the entire Bay Area.”

Kay Fernandez Smith Assistant Vice President of Programs for The San Francisco Foundation

“Philadelphia is fortunate to have talented consultants that work with nonprofits and we are pleased to continue to provide capacity building support in our grant-making. The Catchafire partnership broadens the number and types of nonprofits that can access high-quality consulting support as well as the types of expertise that can be made available to nonprofits. Whatever a nonprofit's mission may be, the services these experts provide can strengthen that organization and allow it to better serve the residents of our community.”

Pedro Ramos President & CEO of The Philadelphia Foundation

ABOUT THE VOLUNTEERS

A Powerful Network of Talented Professionals

Catchafire's virtual volunteer network of 10 million volunteers is built of passionate professionals across a diverse range of fields, from Fortune 500s to startups, all over the world.

Volunteers will be encouraged to apply to a project if they match the prerequisite skills and experience and core deliverables of a project a nonprofit posts. Each post also includes a project timeline and time estimates so volunteers know exactly what they’re signing up for.

The rigorous application process, which includes work experience, portfolios, and statements of interest, limits applicants to those who are serious about working with nonprofits. It's not a one-click application, and it shouldn't be.

Nonprofits can review up to three applications at a time, and interview candidates before deciding. The decision is theirs.

About Catchafire

Catchafire is a full service, on-demand solution designed to address the wide-ranging and complex needs of nonprofits by connecting them with talented pro bono professionals. Through Catchafire’s innovative web-based platform and network of more than 10 million professionals, nonprofits have access to people with expert skills who can help them with operational needs such as developing a website, building a strategic plan, designing a brochure, professional development, and other areas of critical work. Catchafire’s scalable and cost-effective model makes it possible for grantmakers to provide a full suite of capacity building services to any nonprofit that the foundation seeks to serve. Catchafire and its foundation partners are not only helping nonprofits improve their capacity, sustainability, and effectiveness, but also leveling the playing field by making capacity building available to any nonprofit or changemaker.

Learn More

Interested in joining the SoCal Collaborative? Email the Catchafire team at [email protected]