The Silicon Valley Community Foundation (SVCF) and Grove Foundation have partnered to provide nonprofits with high quality capacity building support at scale. Working with Catchafire, SVCF, and Grove grantees are using the power of technology to connect with top pro bono professionals genuinely interested in contributing their skills to meaningful causes to address important operational and strategic needs.
Join us for an interactive session where you will learn more about this innovative collaboration, its impact, and have an opportunity to personally experience the power of pro bono consulting in action through Catchafire’s Rapid Fire event.
During the three hour session you will collaborate with a local nonprofit organization that is currently facing a challenge impeding their work. By using your skills and providing fresh ideas and insights, you will ensure the organization leaves the session equipped with the tools to take their mission to the next level!
A happy hour will follow the session beginning at 4:00 pm.
Presenters
Rachael Chong, Founder and CEO, Catchafire
Rachael Chong is the Founder and CEO of Catchafire, the first online platform to provide high-quality capacity building services to nonprofits and social enterprises. Over the past seven years, Catchafire has delivered over $50 million in strategic and operational work to nearly 10,000 nonprofits while creating meaningful pro bono experiences for professionals. Leading foundations maximize their impact by partnering with Catchafire to support the nonprofits and communities they seek to serve.
Rachael was born in Canberra, Australia and grew up in multiple cities across Asia. She came to the United States to attend Barnard College at Columbia University. Her first job after college was as an investment banker which she saw as her “practical MBA” and an important part of her journey to leverage the power of business for social good. Prior to founding Catchafire, Rachael helped to startup BRAC USA, the U.S. affiliate of the Bangladeshi nonprofit, BRAC, the largest poverty alleviation organization in the world. Rachael holds a Master’s of Public Policy from Duke University, is a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader, and one of Fast Company’s 100 Most Creative People in Business.
Manuel J. Santamaria, Vice President, Strategic Initiatives and Grantmaking, Silicon Valley Community Foundation
As vice president, Manuel oversees strategic initiatives and grantmaking to further SVCF’s role in addressing the region’s most challenging problems and improving communities and our quality of life. He manages the division’s operations and is a member of SVCF’s leadership team.
Manuel joined SVCF in 1999 and has held a variety of roles, including grantmaking director, senior program officer in early learning and education, and immigrant integration. Prior to his work with SVCF, he led initiatives for a network of family resource centers, helped develop education programs for children and adults, and has worked with local organizations that advocate for the protection of immigrant rights.
Manuel is currently a member of the board of directors of Mission Asset Fund, past treasurer of Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants (GCIR) and co-chair of the California Immigrant Integration Initiative. He has a bachelor's degree in international relations and a master's degree in public administration.
Jose Santos, Progam Officer, The Grove Foundation
Jose Santos is a program officer at The Grove Foundation, where he leads the Foundation’s Safety Net grantmaking. His work at the Foundation focuses on ensuring that basic human needs are met and partnering with communities and individuals to improve their prospects, become self-sustaining, and thrive. Jose currently co-leads racial justice/equity work within the Foundation, the goal of which is to improve the degree to which the Foundation's grantmaking advances racial justice and cultural proficiency. Jose serves as a steering committee member for the Bay Area Workforce Funding Collaborative, and on the grant review panels for two local tax measures. Prior to his work at the Foundation, he was a community organizer in East Palo Alto working on substance abuse prevention issues. He earned his BS in Business Administration and MPA from the University of San Francisco. Jose is also Manager, Safety Net Program at the Grove Action Fund.
Phuong Quach, Vice President of Member Engagement, Northern California Grantmakers
Phuong believes in the power of community and networks, which has also shaped her career path. She was the Membership Director at Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy (AAPIP) and a co-founder of AAPIP’s Hella Heart Oakland Giving Circle. At NCG, she oversees membership, programmatic and collaborative work, and helps to shape and strengthen NCG's strategic focus on addressing inequities, supporting the vibrancy and sustainability of our region, and tending to the dynamic and diverse people in our philanthropic community.
Nonprofit Participants
Building Skills PartnershipFounded in 2007, BSP is a statewide organization that works towards its mission to improve the quality of life for low-wage property service workers and their families by increasing their skills, access to education and opportunities for career and community advancement.
The Hidden Genius ProjectThe Hidden Genius Project trains and mentors black male youth in technology creation, entrepreneurship, and leadership skills to transform their lives and communities.
The Northern California Rapid Response and Immigrant Defense Network
The goal of the NCCRIDN is to provide support to every community within the jurisdiction of the San Francisco Immigration Court – from Bakersfield to the Oregon border —in order to protect individuals’ due process rights and with the goal of keeping families together.
OneJusticeOneJustice works to bring life-changing legal help to those in need by transforming the legal aid system. We are an innovation lab for legal aid, working at multiple levels of intervention. We serve as systems analysts, designing and implementing programs focused on achieving systemic change.
Tax-AidThrough skilled volunteers, Tax-Aid provides year-round free tax services to strengthen our San Francisco Bay Area community.
Target Audience
This event is open to all NCG members and non-member funders. If you are not a NCG member and would like to attend, please email registrar@ncg.org to RSVP.
Note: Please limit attendance to 2 staff members from your organization.