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Receive a presentation on the UC Berkeley Fundraising and Volunteer Management Program for a cohort of Solano County nonprofits
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Published Notice Required? Yes_______ No___X___
Public Hearing Required? Yes_______ No ___X___
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors receive a presentation on the UC Berkeley Fundraising and Volunteer Management Program for a cohort of Solano County nonprofits.
SUMMARY:
First 5 Solano, in partnership with Zellerbach Family Foundation (ZFF) and Solano County Health & Social Services, is sponsoring a cohort of up to 25 Solano nonprofits serving children and families to complete the Professional Program in Fundraising and Volunteer Management at UC Berkeley Extension.
This Professional Program in Fundraising and Volunteer Management from UC Berkeley is a four-month training opportunity for nonprofit staff interested in increasing resources for their agency, including developing their expertise in increasing revenue, as well as recruiting and retaining volunteers and board members. The course will provide the knowledge and skills needed to design organizational plans to increase and diversify funding, build a ‘case statement’ and other materials designed to generate support, write effective grant applications, and manage donor relationships.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
This Fundraising and Volunteer Management Program costs $50,000. This amount is fully paid for via a $40,000 grant from ZFF, and $5,000 each from First 5 Solano Children and Families Commission and Solano County Health & Social Services. There is no cost to the General Fund.
DISCUSSION:
The First 5 Solano Children and Families Commission has applied for and received a grant from ZFF to sponsor a cohort of Solano County nonprofit leaders to attend the UC Berkeley Extension certificate program in Fundraising and Volunteer Management. This project is a much needed step toward the dual goals of building nonprofit capacity and strengthening the funding landscape in Solano County.
A 2016 study commissioned by the Solano County Board of Supervisors on Foundation Giving in the Bay Area revealed that Solano has remained the most under-resourced of all Bay Area counties in terms of foundation investment. The data showed that Solano County received only $3 per capita in foundation funding, significantly less than any other county in the bay area. The next nearest county, Napa, received over 7 times this amount at $22 per capita and San Francisco was a complete outlier receiving $1,199 per capita. Moreover, the “giving gap” has continued to widen over time. While foundation giving in the Bay Area overall increased 37% between 2006 and 2012, giving in Solano has stagnated, exacerbating the gaps between Solano and its wealthier neighbors.
Due to these philanthropic circumstances, Solano nonprofits rely heavily on government funding which makes them unable to respond to client needs beyond a governmental scope. This leaves gaps in the community in the types of services available to children and families. In addition to limited ability to nimbly respond to community needs, a heavy reliance on government funding leaves nonprofit partners struggling with little unrestricted funding to meet the needs of their organization.
Fundraising capacity was identified by Solano nonprofits as an area in need of strengthening. In a recent survey of community based agencies who work with young children and families, fund development, volunteer management, and communications were identified by Solano nonprofits as their areas with the biggest challenges.
First 5 Solano, in partnership with ZFF, is sponsoring a cohort of up to 25 Solano nonprofits to complete the Professional Program in Fundraising and Volunteer Management at UC Berkeley Extension. While the program will follow a tested effective course outline, the program will be customized to meet the unique challenges of the Solano nonprofit community. First 5 Solano intends to follow up with the nonprofits 3 months after completion of the program to evaluate the effectiveness in changing nonprofit practice.
Through this project, our nonprofit partners will be better positioned to effectively represent the needs of the community and secure funding to deliver much needed services leading to better outcomes for children and families.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board could choose not to receive the presentation. This is not recommended as this program brings needed capacity building resources to Solano County nonprofits, in an effort to support improvements in the programs and policies that enrich the quality of life for Solano’s residents.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Solano County Health & Social Services, Zellerbach Family Foundation, UC Berkeley Extension, and the County Administrator’s Office.