SoCal Collaborative
Uplifting Southern California's nonprofit ecosystem through capacity building
GET STARTED
About the SoCal Collaborative
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].
__
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.
Jerry from Aqua-Farms Organization listed an Email Layout & Template project.
Pearl from Kyaninga Child Development Centre listed an Organizational Strategy consultation call.
Ko-Chen (Jane) matched with Pearl from Kyaninga Child Development Centre for an Organizational Strategy consultation call!
Rachel from Citizens For Los Angeles Wildlife, Inc. listed an Accounting Systems Set Up project.
Lori's Hands received an application from CHARLES for a Flexible Tech Support project.
The American Literary Translators Association received an application from Hao (Harris) for a Program Assessment project.
More Than Bootstraps received an application from Azeez for a Data Crunching & Analysis project.
India Heritage Foundation received an application from Togu for a Partnership Proposal Presentation project.
Ohrsom received an application from Ashraful for a Logo Design & Visual Brand Identity project.
NCJWA Vic received an application from Dunhill for a Website Set Up (CMS-Based) project.
ZEA received an application from Banafsheh for a Transcription project.
Hatua Network received an application from Stephen for a Marketing Strategy consultation call.
Hatua Network received an application from Kelvin for a Marketing Strategy consultation call.
The Urban Health Collaborative received an application from Shankarasubramanian for a Website Set Up (CMS-Based) project.
Twende received an application from Sn for an Impact Report Graphic Design project.
Emotion Literacy Advocates received an application from Andrew for a Flexible Marketing Strategy Support project.
Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy received an application from Jean for a Print Materials Design project.
AMIS Atlanta received an application from Aman for a Salesforce Database Customization project.
Weekend-Adventures.org received an application from Collins for a Google Workspace Set Up project.
AGR Foundation, Inc. DBA Sol Dog Lodge and Training Center and Hearts at Ease received an application from Paul for a Brochure Graphic Design project.
Vogel Alcove received an application from Michael for a Flexible Web Development Support project.
Gabriel matched with Yolonda from Central Virginia Clinicians of Color Network (CVCCN) for a Logo Design & Visual Brand Identity project!
Wendy from National Council of Jewish Women Australia listed a Flyer Graphic Design project.
Brian matched with Fern from Breastoration Ink for a Social Media consultation call!
Ken matched with Marcia from 67th Precinct Clergy Council, AKA "The GodSquad" for an Operating Budget project!
Shraddha matched with Joshua from National Youth Bike Council for a Website Set Up (CMS-Based) project!
Sarah from BGO listed a Logo Design & Visual Brand Identity project.
Dean matched with Gabrielle from Kids Giving Back for a Brochure Writing project!
Giselle from Association for the Advancement of Filipino American Arts and Culture listed a Flexible Graphic Design Support project.
Dean from Hendricks Foundation inc listed an Infographic project.
Joshua from National Youth Bike Council listed a Social Media Audit project.
G. Christopher from Huston-Tillotson University listed a Social Media Content Calendar project.
Joshua from National Youth Bike Council listed a Short Video Creation Training project.
G. Christopher from Huston-Tillotson University listed a Storytelling project.
G. Christopher from Huston-Tillotson University listed an Online Research project.
Joshua from National Youth Bike Council listed a Storytelling project.
Nalini matched with Jenifer from Humanitarian Outreach for Migrant Emotional Health (H.O.M.E.) for a Logo Design & Visual Brand Identity project!
Leah from Midwest Grows Green listed a Visual Brand Guide project.
Angela matched with Laura from Novelly for a GIF Animation project!
Cristina from Aviva Children's Services listed a Management Skills Coaching project.
Maria from the Service Board listed a Facilitated Strategy Session project.
Nicole from Wild response listed a Flexible Human Resources Support project.
Erin matched with Mandi from Faith Recovery for a Flexible Graphic Design Support project!
James matched with Norah from Per Scholas for a Leadership Coaching project!
Amber from Carters Crew listed a Flexible Data Support project.
Leo from On The Record Institute listed an Elevator Pitch Coaching project.
Chi from Travel Unity listed a Public Speaking Coach project.
Shelley from AGR Foundation, Inc. DBA Sol Dog Lodge and Training Center and Hearts at Ease listed a Brochure Graphic Design project.
John matched with Kristen from St John Singers d/b/a Sing St John for an Employee Handbook project!
Brianda from Rural Arizona Engagement listed a Thank You Letter project.
How It Works for Nonprofits
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
Projects
Frequently Asked Questions
New around here? Start with the basics.
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!
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.
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].
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].
The SoCal Collaborative is a think tank of leading foundations based in the Greater Los Angeles area. Catchafire is the convening body.
Our first Catchafire collaborative of foundations launched in the Bay Area in 2018 in partnership with The San Francisco Foundation.
On average, projects are matched within two weeks.
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.
Yes! We have a great team of nonprofit advisors available to answer technological questions, guide project plans and address any concerns as they arise.
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
ABOUT THE VOLUNTEERS
A Powerful Network of Talented Professionals
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]
