At Archstone Foundation, we are committed to fostering the health and well-being of all older Californians and their caregivers by ensuring they have the resources and support they need to live and age well. One way we achieve this is by strengthening those organizations dedicated to serving the people we care most about.
All too often, nonprofits work tirelessly to fulfill their missions with limited staff and modest budgets, which don’t leave them with adequate time or resources to focus on building their own capacity or infrastructure to serve their communities more efficiently and effectively. That is why we have committed to meeting these organizational needs. Given that we receive many more requests for capacity building grants than we can fund directly, we sought a solution to address this critical gap in resources for aging services organizations.
Enter Catchafire, a game-changing way to provide nonprofits pro bono expertise from skilled professionals.
How Does It Work?
Catchafire is a company with an online platform (www.catchafire.org/) that nonprofits can use to connect with skilled professionals ready to volunteer their expertise in such areas as marketing, fundraising, strategic planning, graphic design, and IT support. Organizations can seek support ranging from quick advice or one-hour consultations, to in-depth, long-term projects. Based on their skill sets, volunteers then agree to help with these projects, creating a seamless and efficient way for nonprofits to get the support they need without the expense of hiring consultants.
Catchafire is particularly committed to advancing equity by ensuring that smaller, grassroots, and diverse-led organizations—many of which have historically been underfunded—gain access to high-quality capacity-building resources. Through this approach, Catchafire helps strengthen the infrastructure of nonprofits that directly serve communities most affected by inequities.
Since launching our collaboration with Catchafire in 2021, the Foundation has seen remarkable engagement from aging services organizations: We have connected 218 organizations to Catchafire, and 112 of them have used the service to complete 712 capacity building projects. From branding and fundraising to website development and strategic planning, Catchafire volunteers have provided vital support to enhance operations and expand impact, helping organizations develop effective grant proposals, build engaging digital presences, and improve their financial sustainability.
Catchafire Success Stories
But don’t just take our word for it. We asked our top Catchafire users to explain how this partnership has had an impact on their work.
The Physician-Patient Alliance for Health & Safety, for example, says Catchafire volunteers have been invaluable in advancing patient safety and quality of care by:
- Developing a learning management system to host continuing medical education courses for clinicians.
- Writing articles to promote earlier diagnosis of sepsis.
- Designing eye-catching graphics about the opioid crisis, blood clots in maternal patients, and the need for enhanced respiratory care.
- Developing business plans to encourage healthcare payers and facilities to adopt the latest Standards of Care for patients on mechanical ventilation.
A few years ago, the alliance applied for an Archstone Foundation grant. Although the grant was not awarded, the organization says it received something even more impactful. In the words of its leader, Michael Wong, while they did not receive the grant, for their organization, this platform has become “a far better prize" that lasts beyond a grant. For a deeper look into its experience, check out this blog post thanking Catchafire volunteers and featuring infographics created by Catchafire volunteers.
Sourcewise, an area agency on aging which provides direct support services to older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers in Santa Clara County, also uses Catchafire to assist with project management, marketing content/graphics, customizing Excel spreadsheets and more. As their Director of Community Development, Linda Phillips, shared, “having project templates to choose from makes posting a project easy and receiving a quick call for advice even faster.” Linda has enjoyed working with Catchafire volunteers, noting that they have been easy to work with and are always professional.
Getting Started with Catchafire
Organizations serving older adults and their caregivers in California can complete this interest form to sign up for access to Catchafire. We know getting started can sometimes feel overwhelming, so once you have registered here are some ways to get started leveraging this resource:
- Reach out to Catchafire’s nonprofit advisory team for a needs assessment call.
- Attend a Catchafire 101 webinar.
- Attend the next Accelerator Workshop the Foundation hosts with Catchafire. (The date will be announced soon.)
Strengthening the Ecosystem
Building the capacity of aging services nonprofits leads to broader, systemic benefits, and ensures more older adults and their caregivers receive the supports and services they need. When these organizations are best equipped to navigate challenges, their entire ecosystem becomes more resilient and effective. The Foundation’s partnership with Catchafire is not only about solving immediate needs; it’s also about fostering long-term innovation and equity within the sector.
At Archstone Foundation, we recognize that advancing equity in aging requires addressing systemic barriers that have historically left many communities behind. By investing in the capacity of nonprofits—especially those led by and serving communities of color, LGBTQ+ older adults, low-income populations, and other underrepresented groups—we are working to ensure that all older Californians, regardless of background, have access to the care and support they deserve.
We remain dedicated to providing nonprofits with the tools and support they need to drive meaningful changes. The Catchafire partnership is one example of how strategic investments in capacity-building can create lasting impact for aging communities. Together, we can strengthen the future of aging services, so all older Californians get the care and support they deserve.
