July 2015
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Catalyst Team
Ravi Shah
Senior Program Associate
Lauren Kay
Director of Communications
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From the Desk of Paul Vandeventer
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The Eurozone's Great Big Network Crisis
 Greece's perilous posture in relation to its Eurozone partners should make everyone working in networks perk up and pause. During the last year of repeated standoff and negotiation, something very instructive to all those involved in networked action has been unfolding in full view of the world. The 19-nation partnership that makes up the Eurozone, after all, comprises a very complex, high-risk, high-stakes brand of multi-state collaborative network. Networks of nonprofit organizations and institutions working toward effective collaboration, even with members much smaller in scale than a nation, invariably encounter some of the same challenges and pitfalls now coming into sharp relief in the Eurozone.
Recent events tell a cautionary tale about what happens when one network member behaves in toxic ways that violate formative agreements. Enshrined in the network's charter, those agreements backstop the essential bonds of trust among members despite their often very understandable differences. No two members in a network are exactly alike, ever. Therefore, the charter's core operating "rules" create level ground on which network members can confidently go forward to achieve their purpose.
To read the entire article, please click here.
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Project in the Spotlight
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Safe Place for Youth's New Venice Drop-In Center
For the past three and a half years, increasing numbers of homeless young people have been making their way to a Drop-In Center held at a Venice Church. Run by the aptly named Safe Place for Youth (SPY), the Center proved so popular that it outgrew the church and recently re-located to a new site on Lincoln Boulevard in Venice.
"Endless, amazing people have helped us with everything - it's just been incredible" said Alison Hurst, SPY's founder and executive director, about the recent expansion. She is thrilled at the prospect of being able to expand opportunities and services to even more young people, and appreciative of all the support the project enjoyed. She said the expansion was made possible by numerous volunteers, donors, and supporters. SPY integrates volunteers throughout their program, doing everything from street outreach to coordinating their hot food program, "without them we would not be able to reach as many youth as we do" Hurst says. In particular she singled out Councilman Mike Bonin, whose ongoing support, advocacy, and funding helped make the move a reality. The Victorino Noval Foundation re-modeled the new space, and St. Matthew's Church helped furnish the location with a new fridge and other needed equipment.
"Our drop-in centers are essential to our program" said Hurst, who started SPY in 2010, and began operating under fiscal sponsorship with Community Partners in 2011. A wide array of services includes everything from food and clothing, to offering internet access and homeless pet assistance. The new facility allows the Drop-In Center to operate 24/7, and SPY hopes to expand on their partnership with Venice Family Clinic in their wellness programming to include dental screenings. Their services will also include prevention programs and add legal clinics. SPY's ultimate goal is to transition homeless youth from off the streets into stable housing-- all with an attitude of compassion and acceptance.
There are an estimated 12,000 to 15,000 homeless youth living on L.A. County streets. As SPY continues to provide safe spaces in L.A., they also contribute to the larger movement that raises awareness of the hidden population of homeless youth.
-- Somer Greene, Cornuelle Summer Fellow, Occidental College '16
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Projects in the News
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Celebrating Climate Resolve's New Status
Climate Resolve, a project of Community Partners since 2011, celebrated their own version of Independence Day this month by becoming a stand-alone 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
"We're so grateful to Community Partners for all of the support they have given us for the past four years," they wrote in a recent blog post. Keep up with the work of Climate Resolve here.
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Talent Philanthropy
A recent piece from the folks at Exponent Philanthropy cites a McKinsey report about the need to invest in nonprofit leadership as a path to greater impact. The article highlights Talent Philanthropy, a Community Partners sponsored project, as a top resource for funders.
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Community Iftar and Fellowship Celebration
NewGround's recent Community Iftar and Fellowship Celebration, an annual event that convenes the largest gathering of Muslims and Jews in Los Angeles to break fast (Iftar) together at a Jewish Temple, prompted musings about love and overcoming cynics in this piece by Jewish Journal President David Suissa.
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ICYMI: 2015 Funders Forum
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Grant funding is more than just a simple transaction; it taps into personal histories, social capital, and unites plans for a better future-- all with an eye toward social change. The funding process establishes a mutually beneficial relationship between grantmaker and grantee. And while getting the grant seems like the final goal, it's what you do
after that is almost more important.
These were the main ideas from Educate California's recent Funders Forum. Through break-out sessions and panels, corporate and foundation representatives from throughout the state shed light on the grant application process for a gathering of nonprofit directors. In one panel discussion on corporate sponsorships and partnerships, representatives from State Farm and Deloitte shared their insights about requesting funds and securing sponsorships. Here are a few of the take aways:
- Beautiful Budgets. The budget is one of the most important items funders will review. It is best to be straightforward with all expected overhead and administrative expenses.
- Get the Facts to Match. Grantmakers look for a nonprofit whose vision aligns with their own, so be sure to research the grantmaker's guidelines and priorities before applying. But organizations should be wary of "mission drift"--when mission and goals are changed simply to fit a grantmaker's giving priorities.
- Those Darn Details. While they may seem insignificant, it's the little things that add up. Small details-- such as addressing the LOI to the correct individual, directly answering all questions on a grant application, sending follow-up thank you notes, and (of course!) spelling names correctly, prove extremely important in the application process.
The most important recommendation from the panel? Communication. Each panelist noted that "the first check is the easiest to write to a nonprofit" but it's what comes after the initial check that is so important. It's about stewardship. Funders are excited to give, so they want to hear how organizations are using their resources, what kind of impact they are having, and that they are holding to the highest standards in administering the funds. The panelists also suggested that operating under the aegis of an established fiscal sponsor can help assure a funder that their investments are being well managed.
-- Somer Greene, Cornuelle Summer Fellow, Occidental College '16
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New Projects
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STEAM:CODERS
STEAM:CODERS is a nonprofit organization that teaches disadvantaged and underrepresented middle and high school students of color the fundamentals of science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM).
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MASA: Media Arts Santa Ana
MASA inspires the growth and development of the Media Arts in Santa Ana by empowering the local community through classes, festivals, screenings, access to technology, workshops, special initiatives, social media training, and networking opportunities.
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Riverside Food Systems Alliance
RFSA aims to establish and grow a resilient and productive local food and agriculture system that supports community involvement and enables profitable enterprises for farmers and allied businesses while providing for the needs of the community and the sustainable use of natural resources.
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Events and Learning Opportunities
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Your Contributions Welcome
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Would you like to share a recent achievement? Do you have helpful information, resources, or materials that you would like to share with other projects via The Catalyst? Please contact Ravi Shah with your suggestions.
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1000 N Alameda St, Suite 240
Los Angeles, CA 90012 | Phone 213.346.3210
Fax 213.808.1009 | info@CommunityPartners.org |
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