November 2014  
In This Issue
From the Desk of Paul Vandeventer
Events & Convenings
Project News
Welcome Our Newest Projects
Honors & Awards
Events and Learning Opportunities
From the Field
Your Contributions Welcome

Quick Links

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Catalyst Team

Ravi Shah
Senior Program Associate

Lauren Kay
Director of Communications
From the Desk of Paul Vandeventer

The Disruptive Possibilities of Ordinary Talk - Part 2

 

David Mathews, President of The Kettering Foundation in Dayton, Ohio, keynoted the recent gathering of the National Coalition on Dialogue and Deliberation (NCDD) in Reston, Virginia, just outside Washington, D.C. 


 In his slow-cadenced, incisive Alabama drawl, Mathews listed what he's come to understand and appreciate in the practical, ordinary, non-ideological "public voice" that's pervasive, yet often drowned out, blurred or undervalued in American society. 


According to Mathews, that voice - essential to hear and heed in a working democracy - will tell us:

  • "What we deeply value...things like freedom, fairness, security..."
  • "What options grow out of what we value..."
  • "And what people will and won't do when push comes to shove."

To read the entire article, please click here.

Events & Convenings

Fiscal Sponsors Descend on Los Angeles

 

Community Partners played host recently to the annual gathering of the National Network of Fiscal Sponsors. And what do fiscal sponsors 'geek out' over when they gather, you might ask? Topics included: using technology to improve service delivery; changes in IRS regulations; and addressing funder attitudes toward supporting fiscally sponsored projects. In short, we join together to continually improve and strengthen the practice of fiscal sponsorship in support of all the innovative social good efforts we make possible across the country.

 

With close to 100 people in attendance, this year's conference was the largest yet for this field-building organization. Representatives from fiscal sponsor organizations both experienced and new participated in a full day of learning, knowledge-sharing and, of course, networking.

 

Community Partners is one seven of the leading comprehensive fiscal sponsors around the country that joined together in 2004 to establish NNFS and create a set of guidelines for the field. 

 

Project News


Two Projects Aided San Gabriel Mountains Effort

 

Designating the San Gabriel Mountains as a national monument was a momentous event for Southern California, and the country. We're proud that two Community Partners projects -- both The City Project and Climate Resolve - were among the numerous partners committed to protecting this natural resource as part of San Gabriel Mountains Forever


How a Volunteer Gig Led to a Corporate Gift

 

The Yahoo Employee Foundation celebrated its 1,000th grant (!) with an award to...Urban Txt (Teens eXploring Technology). Read more about how one employee championed the group.  

 

MCM Contributes to the Changing Face of Bike Advocacy

 

Multicultural Communities for Mobility (MCM)  is featured in "The New Movement: Bike Equity Today," a report from the League of American Bicyclists that explores the growing diversity in who is advocating for bikes. 


Bringing Diversity to Nonprofit Board Rooms

 

Fifty more nonprofit board seats are now occupied by African Americans, thanks to the work of AABLI (the African American Board Leadership Institute). Check out a list of their recent placements here


College Match Grads Making their Mark

Pomona College recently shared a moving story about a College Match grad who's now interning at the White House, while Vassar interviewed some of the dozen College Match students who joined this year's freshman class. Since 2003, College Match has been helping high-achieving students from low-income families make their way into the some of the country's best colleges. 

DiverseScholar Reaches Innovators' Semi-Finals

Alberto Roca, project leader for DiverseScholar, and collaborator Ashley Lopez, have been selected as semi-finalists for the Voto Latino Innovators Challenge competition for a $100,000 grant. 
Their digital solution to address a Latino community issue is EduMentoring.org -- a platform for connecting students to STEM career mentors. 

Welcome Our Newest Projects




Climate Cents   

Project Leader: Nick Karno
Website: www.climatecents.org 


Climate Cents is an online platform that connects Angelenos to projects that improve L.A.'s environment and reduce greenhouse gases.

 


The Leela Institute for the Arts 

Project Leader: Rina Mehta

Website: www.kathak.org

 

The Leela Institute for the Arts aims to advance Indian classical dance and music in the greater Los Angeles area through education and audience building.

 

Libros Schmibros Lending Library

Project Leaders: Colleen Jaurretche and David Kipen

Website: www.librosschimbros.org

 

Libros Schmibros is a Boyle Heights-based lending library that puts low-or no-cost books into all hands, native and immigrant, Eastside and West.

 

Honors & Awards

Board Member Recognized for Service

Lisa Cleri Reale, a long-time member of the Community Partners Board, was honored recently as a tireless advocate for change for her ongoing support of SBCC Thrive-LA. SBCC, which stands for strengths-based community change, for 41 years has partnered with individuals, families and neighborhoods to build their own capacity to incubate, create and sustain positive change. Lisa was recognized for her commitment to children in need throughout Los Angeles County.

 

Events and Learning Opportunities


Round Table: Orienting Volunteers
Friday, Nov. 21

Join Dovia (Directors of Volunteers in Agencies) for a free interactive discussion on what makes a successful orientation and onboarding process for volunteers. Participants are encouraged to bring materials from their own agencies to share and discuss. Learn more here.

  

The Grantsmanship Training Program

December 8-12

 

The program is a comprehensive hands-on workshop that covers the complete grant development process, from researching funding sources to writing and reviewing grant proposals. More than 115,000 nonprofit and government personnel have attended this five-day workshop, which is followed with a full year of membership support services. The training cost is $895; enter code LAGTP50 to save $50. If you have questions, please email Gail Brauner at [email protected].

From the Field

 

Just-in-Time Tips for #GivingTuesday

10 Best Practices for Planning Successful Crowd Funding or Giving Day Campaigns from nonprofit social media guru Beth Kanter should be an ideal reference for those prepping for the big kick-off to the holiday giving season.


A helpful guide to online tools that help teams better work together virtually, from desktop sharing to video conferencing, and lots in between.

About Us

Community Partners works with social entrepreneurs, grantmakers and civic leaders to imagine possibilities, design solutions and see them through to results. Our work includes fiscal sponsorship, grantmaker partnerships, thought leadership and knowledge sharing. 

1000 N Alameda St, Suite 240 
Los Angeles, CA 90012  
 
Phone 213.346.3210  
Fax 213.808.1009 
 
[email protected]