Catalyst of San Diego & Imperial Counties

Introducing our new weekly policy briefing for funders ?? Get critical context and stay in-the-know about federal funding and policy changes impacting the wellbeing of communities and nonprofit partners. https://lnkd.in/gS-ZcHDw In light of the rapidly changing environment,?Catalyst is introducing a weekly e-briefing to help funders stay in the know about evolving issues and resources that can be used to support the needs of your grantees. In this first issue, Catalyst President & CEO Megan Thomas breaks down the federal budget freeze and considerations for philanthropy moving forward. Looking to connect with other funders around these developing issues? Join us virtually on February 12th?for a call on?Navigating Policy Shifts: An Open Space for Funders.?This unstructured call will be an opportunity to share concerns, ask questions, and hear from peers about how they’re navigating this moment. https://lnkd.in/g-8x7ptu

Key economic programs, Dept. of Education, and FEMA reduced to “minimum required levels”?-- What's the impact in San Diego and Imperial communities and what can philanthropy do? Read our latest Policy Briefing to get your bearings and learn about immediate actions funders can take to meet this moment. https://lnkd.in/g-r92GhE Catalyst members can also register for our 100 Days Funder Briefing with Philanthropy California. This virtual session on March 25, 10:00 am will spotlight how organizations are adapting their strategies in response to new challenges and emerging opportunities: https://lnkd.in/gbaFSygH #philanthropy #publicpolicy #sandiego #sandiegocounty #imperialcounty #imperialvalley

?? A special Catalyst interview with Sarah Lyman & Roque Barros on Trust, Power, and a $7.5M Investment -- Last month marked a pivotal moment for philanthropy in the Imperial Valley as?Alliance Healthcare Foundation?(AHF) made an unparallelled capital transfer to?Imperial Valley Wellness Foundation?(IVWF). This shifted roughly 10 percent of AHF’s endowment into community-led decision-making. To dive deeper into this significant decision, Catalyst's Imperial Valley Manager Maria Peinado, MPA connected with AHF’s Executive Director, Sarah Lyman, and IVWF’s Executive Director, Roque Barros, for a Q&A about the vision, challenges, and impact of this investment: https://lnkd.in/gDmKVXyF #imperialvalley #imperialcounty #philanthropy #sandiego

You're invited! Join Latina Giving Circle here at the Catalyst offices on April 2nd for their 2025 LGC Grant Cycle Launch. Participants will have an opportunity to engage in meaningful discussion to shape the grant cycle ahead before the request for proposals opens for organizations. Event Details: Wednesday, April 2nd from 5:30pm - 8:00pm, at the offices of Catalyst of San Diego & Imperial Counties (5060 Shoreham Pl, Ste 350, San Diego 92122) RSVP by March 28th: bit.ly/2025-grant-launch A Catalyst member organization, the Latina Giving Circle of San Diego is a network of Latinas from across San Diego County who seek to create opportunities that connect and give back to the community. LGC is a giving circle in which members pool donations to make collective gifts to the community.?Learn more at https://lnkd.in/guatFXgY #sandiegononprofit #givingcircle #philanthropy

Call to Action for California Funders: Act now to support frontline climate organizations ?? The federal government continues to divest and deregulate climate and environmental justice initiatives. Philanthropic and statewide government funders must deepen their investments in resilience with steadfast environmental justice funding to ensure frontline communities are able to withstand the impacts of a changing climate. While the Federal Administration is rolling back funding and environmental protections, the work toward a just transition and environmental justice is steadfast in California. In this moment, here's what funders across California can do: https://lnkd.in/gkcPuBze Contact Catalyst President & CEO Megan Thomas to learn more about how you can get involved. #environtmentaljustice #climatechange #climateresilience #environmentalfunders #PhilanthropyCA Northern California Grantmakers SoCal Grantmakers #philanthropy The Funders Network Environmental Grantmakers Association

Whether you engage in philanthropy as an individual, through a family foundation, or via donor-advised fund, Catalyst's Family Foundations Community of Practice is your home to connect with local family funders and explore ways to maximize your impact: https://lnkd.in/gjg4V4Nz We are excited to convene family foundations in this dedicated space to connect, strategize, and collaborate! Our first gathering on April 10th will focus on how to integrate non-family perspectives into your foundation’s work. We’ll be joined by Sarah Walczyk, Executive Director of Satterberg Foundation, who will share her experience as the first non-family staff member at this small but mighty West Coast family philanthropy. The Family Foundations Community of Practice gathering is designed for and by its participants – we will dedicate time to hear from you and collectively decide what to explore in future sessions. #familyfoundations #familyphilanthropy #DAF

Catalyst teams up with Daylight San Diego to power local journalism ?? Through fiscal sponsorship, Daylight will operate under Catalyst’s nonprofit status, which means the newsroom will be able to accept?tax-deductible donations, apply for grants, and focus on their mission to deliver top-tier journalism that reflects San Diego’s diverse communities while navigating the requirements for forming their own 501(c)(3). “Daylight’s mission to deliver fair, equitable and accurate journalism has immense value to Catalyst’s efforts to equip funders to do their best work,” said Megan Thomas, Catalyst president and CEO.?“Stories from diverse neighborhoods will bring our members first-hand insights directly from the communities where they fund, giving them more accurate information and the opportunity to build new relationships that enhance their grantmaking.” Learn more about our exciting partnership at: https://lnkd.in/guHW5xgr #sandiegonews #sandiego #independentjournalism Lauren J. Mapp #fiscalsponsorship #sandiegononprofit

Join us for the 2025 kick-off meeting of the?Climate Funders Collaborative on April 16! At this in-person gathering, we'll review and refine collaborative workgroups, identify shared funding opportunities, and discuss strategies to deepen connections with the community. We'll also review the Strategic Action Plan and how to leverage regional, statewide, and national resources to support climate-resilient communities.?Register now at:?https://lnkd.in/ghFqGDvV Working groups are determined by member interest. Currently, the groups are:?Binational Resilience Initiative, Solar/Decarbonization Funding, ImperialValley, and Nonprofit Capacity-Building. Who Should Participate? The Climate Funders Collaborative is open to all funders currently supporting efforts to build healthy, equitable, and sustainable in the region. Catalyst supports connectivity across the region’s funders, nonprofits, and other stakeholders.?Smart Growth California?brings the collaborative into a statewide network and provides logistical support. This capacity is funded by collaborative members.?Learn more about the Climate Funders Collaborative at: https://lnkd.in/gHy4_bpG #climatefunders #environmentalfunders #climatephilanthropy #sandiego #imperialvalley #philanthropy The Funders Network Ron Milam

Hot off the presses ??? Catalyst's newest Policy Briefing update, Courts, Cuts, and Community Costs sums up big federal moves in education, immigration, and climate/environment. We're committed to helping funders and social sector leaders keep current on developments impacting the San Diego and Imperial County region. Access this week's briefing and past articles at https://lnkd.in/g9jbg5P3 #sandiego #imperialvalley #educationpolicy #immigrationpolicy #philanthropy #publicpolicy

This week's Advocacy 101 training was a great success! Participants joined us in the Catalyst offices to learn the many ways advocacy can amplify a foundation's work. We also explored how funders navigate legal, strategic, and governance considerations when engaging in advocacy. Special thanks to Rebecca Hamburg of California Donor Table for sharing her expertise with the Catalyst membership. COMING UP - SACRAMENTO ADVOCACY DAY Catalyst members are invited to join Philanthropy California next month in Sacramento?to connect with policymakers and philanthropy colleagues from across the state. On April 1st and 2nd, we will be at the State Capitol for a day and a half of programming and legislative meetings. You will be fully supported with issue briefings, scheduling, and a staff guide in every meeting. Come welcome a new Congress and find opportunities to partner with other funders and public officials on critical issues impacting our communities: https://lnkd.in/gJ93tcus #advocacy #nonprofitadvocacy #philanthropy #philanthropyca