SoCal Collaborative
Uplifting Southern California's nonprofit ecosystem through capacity building
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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].
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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.
VI Volunteer Advocates for Children received an application from arushi for a Branded Digital Assets project.
Stand.earth received an application from Yoshiko for a Flexible Graphic Design Support project.
Learning Independence for Tomorrow, Incorporate received an application from Yoshiko for a Flexible Graphic Design Support project.
Tumaini Letu received an application from Yamikani for a Website consultation call.
Connecticut Partnership for Children, Inc. received an application from Kunal for a Membership Strategy project.
A Bright Future for Kids received an application from Akash for an Instagram Set Up & Strategy project.
Birth In Color RVA received an application from Benjamin for an Excel-Based Accounting System project.
Belmont Arts Collaborative (BAC) received an application from Howard for a Brochure Graphic Design project.
Maryland Nonprofits received an application from Howard for an Impact Report Graphic Design project.
Peach's Pantry, Inc. received an application from Alex for a Website Usability Audit project.
Digital Wish received an application from Ankita for a Social Media Content Calendar project.
FunkEntelechy Inc. received an application from Shetil for a Marketing Strategy Consultation project.
A Brighter Way received an application from Alec for a Flexible Coaching Support project.
Jewish Family Service of the Desert received an application from Aaron for a Data & Analytics consultation call.
Humane Society of Southern Arizona received an application from Janet for a Translation project.
Immigration Project received an application from Aaron for a Tech Systems consultation call.
Native American Health Center, Inc. received an application from Lara for a Brochure Graphic Design project.
A Bright Future for Kids received an application from Christopher for an Instagram Set Up & Strategy project.
Foster Advocates received an application from Lara for an Infographic project.
Data You Can Use Inc. received an application from Lara for a Website Minor Update project.
IDignity, Inc. received an application from akshat for a Logo Design project.
FEATSAZ received an application from Kunal for a Membership Strategy project.
George Phar Legler Society Inc, DBA Valley of the Moon received an application from PHILAMON for a Flexible Human Resources Support project.
kathy from NEW JERSEY PARENTS CAUCUS, INC. listed a Website Major Update project.
Heather matched with Satira from Ascensions Community Services, Inc. for a Public Speaking Coach project!
Liz from A Bright Future for Kids listed a Social Media Audit project.
Liz from A Bright Future for Kids listed an Instagram Set Up & Strategy project.
Charlie matched with Sir Jose from Ubuntu Community Catalyst, Inc. for a Board Operations & Systems project!
Patricia from The Children's Haven Association (TCHA) listed a Project Management Plan project.
Katelyn matched with Kuwa-Jasiri from Authentic Creations Publishing Apothecary for a Proposal Review project!
Karisa from Ocean Blue Project, Inc listed an Online Research project.
Ben matched with Kevin from Bishop Grady Villas for a Brand Messaging consultation call!
Jonathan matched with Elisa from At The Center for a Logo Design & Visual Brand Identity project!
Grace matched with Milton from REACH LA for an Infographic project!
Chinue matched with lewis anthony from SaCoDe Burundi for a Marketing Strategy consultation call!
Jasmin from Celebrate Dyslexia listed an Accounting Systems Set Up project.
Ken matched with Tricia from Computers 4 Kids for a Print Materials Design project!
Lee Ping matched with Karen from eGirl Power #StopAsianHate #StopAAPIHate for a Presentation Creation project!
Angi matched with Sir Jose from Ubuntu Community Catalyst, Inc. for a Board Responsibilities & Structure project!
Deborah matched with Patrick from Selfless Solutions for a Flexible Program Strategy Support project!
Cristina matched with Susan from Children's Center of New Milford for a Data & Analytics consultation call!
Joy matched with Queen-Vanessa from Born and Raised Survivors and Community Developers for a Brochure Graphic Design project!
Forbes from Badilika Foundation listed a Website Set Up (CMS-Based) project.
Trishna matched with Stephanie from The Pink Berets for a Website Content Plan project!
Lisa from Black Women Stitch listed a Flexible Graphic Design Support project.
Chirag from Native American Health Center, Inc. listed a Brochure Graphic Design project.
Con Mi MADRE received an application from Adithya for a Data Collection Plan project.
Local Circles received an application from simran for a Social Media Audit project.
Native American Health Center, Inc. received an application from Alexander for a Flexible Copywriting Support project.
The Word received an application from AKSHAY for a Search Engine Optimization Audit 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 nonprofits 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]
