Catalyst of San Diego & Imperial Counties

ICYMI ?? The Catalyst Member Social is coming up! Rekindle connections with familiar faces and expand your network with social sector peers over delicious bites and refreshing drinks. Join us December 11th to celebrate?another impactful year in the books with an evening of networking, connection, and reflection. https://lnkd.in/g2a2yeAh We're excited for you to join your Catalyst colleagues at?MAKE Projects, an employment social enterprise for San Diego’s refugee and immigrant communities. We'll enjoy a tasty menu inspired by the global cuisines of MAKE trainees and the locally sourced produce from their farm. Please note - this event is open only to Catalyst members. #socialevent #sandiegoevent #networking #networkingevent

New #grantopportunity for San Diego arts organizations and cultural projects -- apply by January 31, 2025 ? Catalyst member organization The Conrad Prebys Foundation has announced a new partnership with the San Diego County?Arts and Culture Commission?and?Office of Economic Development and Government Affairs. Organizations applying for County Community Enhancement grants can receive dollar-for-dollar matching funds from the Prebys Foundation when hiring artists or practitioners for their projects. Grants will range from $2,500 to $5,000 and funds can be put toward murals, public art pieces, and more. The partnership will fund projects of $5,000 to $10,000 when matched. https://lnkd.in/gV3ctDQn #sandiegocounty #artsfunding #sandiegononprofit #sandiegoartists

Update from the field -- Catalyst member organization The California Wellness Foundation has announced the appointment of two new members to its Board of Directors: John Kim, President and CEO of Catalyst California, and Kaci Y. Patterson, MBA, Chief Architect of the Black Equity Collective and Social Good Solutions. Both leaders bring a wealth of expertise and deep commitment to advancing health and racial justice across California. Congratulations to John and Kaci! https://lnkd.in/ghrD_7Bb

?? Time is running out -- Share this $50,000 funding opportunity widely with your San Diego network. Nominated individuals do not need to be "established" nonprofit leaders and nominations in languages other than English are welcome! The Nancy Jamison Fund for Social Justice awards $50,000 in unrestricted funds to leaders advancing racial equity and social justice in San Diego County. The Fund seeks to shine a light on community-based leaders who are working tirelessly to make the San Diego region a place of opportunity for all. The Fund is accepting nominations now through December 31, with grant awards anticipated April 2025. Learn more and nominate someone at catalystsd.org/nancy #grantopportunity #fundingopportunity #sandiego #sandiegoleaders #sandiegocounty #sandiegononprofit #socialjustice #philanthropy

The San Diego Business Journal's 2024 People of Influence is out! Please join us in congratulating our President & CEO Megan Thomas -- who joins Catalyst members Jeremy Pearl of the Jewish Community Foundation San Diego, Grant Oliphant of The Conrad Prebys Foundation, Nancy Sasaki of United Way of San Diego County, and Mark Stuart, CFRE of San Diego Foundation -- in being recognized for outstanding commitment to the San Diego region. ?? ???? https://lnkd.in/g2W3rjbz

Relive the magic of Catalyst's 2024 Conference, Activating Power. ?? Our recap video captures the day's spirit and highlights participants' feedback on how they plan to activate power in their personal lives, workplaces, and partnerships across the social impact sector. Throughout the day, attendees explored new frameworks around navigating power dynamics, nonprofit capacity building, and aligning actions with community values. We can't wait to collaborate with our members and community partners to shape this work moving forward! Katie Ruiz Novien Yarber, Ph.D. Dok Kulap Sinlapakorn Kelsey Daniels Farida Erikat Joey Williams Alice Y. Hom Adriana Loson-Ceballos, PhD

New virtual funder training on December 12th ?? Over the last few years, we have seen historic public sector investments. However, these funds often have lengthy application and management processes and frequently fail to reach the communities that need them most. Philanthropy, donors, and investors have an opportunity to help remedy that gap. At this meeting, explore how to deploy grants, loans, and other tools to help grantees build capacity, identify intermediary fund managers, and bridge timing gaps. We will be joined by Jessica LaBarbera of Nonprofit Finance Fund, Christiana DeBenedict of San Diego Foundation, and Lul Tesfai of The James Irvine Foundation, who will share examples of this type of funding from across the country. We'll also take a look at lessons learned from a?$40 Million grant for climate-resilience projects?currently underway in Barrio Logan. Join us to learn how we can attract more public dollars to our region and support nonprofits for sustained, long-term impact. https://lnkd.in/dfjUxKrk

Last week team Catalyst was thrilled to join our members, social sector partners, and community leaders for National Philanthropy Day, an annual opportunity to recognize the charitable work that *everyone* does to make a difference and create impact in their communities.??? ???? Some of our team headed downtown to attend Association of Fundraising Professionals - San Diego Chapter's packed event. With an incredible 800+ participants, Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP Global) Chair-Elect of AFP Global Roger D. Ali, MBA, C. Dir., CFRE and AFP San Diego President Adrianna O'Donnell, MBA, CFRE took to the stage to announce a new scholarship fund, the?AFP?San Diego Empower Fund. Attendees were also treated to an inspiring spoken word keynote from Brandon Steppe, founder and executive director of The David's Harp Foundation, Inc. Other Catalyst team members traveled to El Centro to mark the day with the Imperial Valley Community Foundation (IVCF) and other Imperial-based funders, volunteers, and local leaders. The event included a celebration recognizing the 100+ individuals who participated in the Imperial Valley Nonprofit Board Leadership Series, which was offered in partnership earlier this year by IVCF and Catalyst. In addition, keynote speaker Jazz LedBetter, founder of nonprofit Harlot Heart, spoke about what it looks like for everyone to claim the title of philanthropist and the importance of telling your story and speaking from the perspective of marginalized demographics. Jazz perfectly captured the spirit of National Philanthropy Day in her address, stating: "It does not matter where you've been; it does not matter what you've done. What matters is who you become and how you impact the world for the betterment of all." #NationalPhilanthropyDay #NPD #philanthropy

Did you know? Tourism generates a $22 billion economic impact in addition to $300 million in tax revenue for the City of San Diego each year. Team Catalyst was at this week's San Diego Tourism Authority (SDTA) annual meeting as Mayor Todd Gloria, SDTA CEO Julie Coker, and SDTA Board Chair Shawn Dixon announced the launch of the San Diego Tourism Foundation. As?the official 501(c)3 affiliate of the San Diego Tourism Authority, the Foundation will support initiatives that diversify and strengthen San Diego’s tourism industry through education and training, workforce development, small business empowerment, and civic engagement. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/gwHK75aC. #sandiego #foundations #philanthropy #sandiegotourism #workforcedevelopment

A post-election message from our president and CEO: The election season has passed, but the importance of civic engagement remains year-round. Now is the moment for philanthropy to lean in, listen closely, and show up for community efforts. We encourage you to:? ?? Check in with your grantees.?Ask if and how their plans have changed, if they have new or different needs, and how you can partner with them on a current grant or future funding. ?? Think holistically about the systems in which you and your partners operate.?Learn where there are opportunities to support the infrastructure of movement building to allow nonprofits to respond to not only immediate needs but also create and advocate for their visions of the future. ?? Talk to your colleagues and peers in philanthropy.?Find ways to leverage one another’s investments to build long-term strength and sustainability for our region’s social sector.? ?? Join us?virtually on November 19th for a post-election briefing on emerging challenges and opportunities, featuring?Luis Alejandro Montero-Adams of Engage San Diego and Margarita (Castaneda) Luna with The California Endowment ? https://lnkd.in/g7awqsxw As always, Catalyst is here to support you in connecting with one another and the broader community, as well as understanding the evolving needs of our region. Please feel free to reach out to me or the Catalyst team directly for further support and connection. Thank you for all that you do. Megan Thomas