At Archstone Foundation, we are committed to improving health and social care for all older adults in California by partnering with communities to catalyze equitable change in those systems. One way we achieve this is by helping strengthen 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 grants than we can fund directly, we have partnered with Catchafire to address this critical gap in resources for aging services organizations.

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.

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.

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.

Read more about Catchafire in this blog post.