Monthly Update | June 2021
A Message from our CEO
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As we are all transitioning out of closures and into fewer pandemic-related restrictions, we are seeing both shifts and opportunities in our sector as a result. Most commonly, this is starting to show up in frequent news of staff transitions. As organizations, the more we prepare for these organizational shifts - by building our pipeline through succession planning and staff development - the more we can seize the opportunity to not only sustain but even grow our organizations through transitions. CEN is no different in this case as two treasured staff members will soon be transitioning on from CEN.
Mona Singh, who is currently serving as programs manager for CEN, will be moving to Portugal at the end of the month. We want to take this opportunity to thank Mona for her dedicated service, deep creativity, and incredible work. All of us at CEN wish her and her family the absolute best in their new adventures and will always be so grateful for all Mona has done for the organization and the steps she's taken to set CEN up for future success. Thank you, Mona!
Illyasha Peete, CEN director of diversity and training, will be moving into a new position to serve as executive director for the California Life Sciences (CLS) Racial and Social Equity (RSE) Initiative and will lead the collective, statewide RSE strategy, which is delivering an ambitious agenda of action and change. It is truly difficult to put into words the deep impact that Illy has had on CEN and on the local sector of nonprofit leaders over the last three years. We are so fortunate that Illy will be staying on with CEN, on a contract basis, to finishing out key consulting engagements and support her team of leadership development specialists. This is just one example of Illy’s incredible dedication and care for the work she has done at CEN. The organization would not be where it is today without Illy’s incredible insight, leadership, expertise, and commitment. We are all so excited for her and the new opportunity she is embarking on and look forward to hearing about the important work she will do at her new organization. Illy, your great imprint will always be felt at CEN!
These transitions are also opportunities for our organization as we continue to work on structural changes to best deliver our services and address the unprecedented increase in demand we've seen. We look forward to welcoming new team members in the coming months and encourage you to stayed tuned about open positions with CEN, including our new associate director of development and marketing role (included below).
We are all so sad to see Illy and Mona transition out of CEN but feel honored to have worked together to deliver on our very special mission.
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-Larissa Robideaux, Chief Executive Officer |
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Connect with Leaders, Colleagues, & Supporters at our Annual Leaders Institute Graduation Event! |
The event is only 3 weeks away and space is starting to fill up - RSVP today! We hope you'll all join us on June 24th for a virtual event to celebrate the incredible leaders of our 13th and 14th Leaders Institute cohorts. Participants will hear an update from CEN, meet the current graduates, and enjoy opportunities to engage with friends, colleagues, and sector supporters in breakout sessions that highlight the sector's impact over the past year and beyond. All are welcome!
A special thank you to this year's event sponsors (below)! Your generosity is increasing program access for years to come and we are beyond grateful for your support. For anyone interested in event sponsorship, please email jen@cen.org to learn more and support the next cohort of nonprofit leaders.
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Reflect and Connect: Nonprofit Lessons Learned in 2020 & 2021
Coming up later this month so register today!
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We hope you’ll join us for this panel discussion where CEN, in partnership with California State University East Bay (CSUEB), will share what worked for our organizations and the organizations we served, what we can leave behind, and what it all has meant. With social justice concerns, particularly related to Black and Asian lives, making their way to the forefront of our collective attention at the same time the COVID-19 pandemic rocked our communities, nonprofit leaders were called to balance it all both personally and professionally. After the panel discussion, you’ll then have the opportunity to share your own personal experiences and reflect on leadership lessons while connecting with other leaders in smaller breakout sessions. The goal is to collectively strengthen our skills, deepen our bonds, and re-energize ourselves for what lies ahead. |
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CEN is hiring an associate director of development and marketing (ADDM)! This is your opportunity to join an organization that is dedicated to supporting current and future nonprofit leaders and building a strong and equitable community. The ADDM will play a key role in CEN’s community-building efforts by supporting and leading fundraising campaigns, overseeing donor stewardship and engagement, and implementing media strategies to continue to grow the organization’s network. You'll experience a flexible and professional working environment committed to recognizing the value of staff's growth, ideas, and talents. This position is full-time (40 hours/week) and includes flexible hours, benefits, and lots of growth potential. The starting salary is offered at $70K-$80K annually. |
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Each month we share articles/resources that challenge the way we view work and inspire a new way to effect community impact.
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"To figure out the best, most effective solutions to addressing and eradicating systemic racism, we need to first see—really see and understand—what racism looks like and how it manifests through organizational policies, practices, and cultures ... Making these stories visible is the first step to seeing and then taking responsibility for the history of racism entrenched in the systems and institutions in which we live and work." |
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Through their "This is What Racism Looks Like" series, SSIR aims to amplify voices of those with lived experience to deepen true understanding of how pervasive, systemic racism continues to play out in our organizations in order to work collectively toward solutions. Setting this foundation shines additional light for those with privilege and reinforces "that they need to give their time and energy to figuring out the best solutions—not the simple or easy or comfortable solutions. Not the solutions that work for them or that maintain the status quo." |
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CEN remains committed to supporting our sector through this challenging time and will continue to offer membership scholarships and payment plans to ensure you have access to the resources you need. |
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Calling all community members! We need your input to continue evolving our offerings and to ensure our services align with your most pressing needs.
Please participate in our CEN Member Survey! This information will help us expand our programming and build our strategic partnerships, including our emerging partnership with San Jose Public Library, to support you and your organization through the next fiscal year and beyond. The first 15 respondents will also be entered to win one free workshop that can be used by any staff or board member in your organization.
We look forward to your feedback and the opportunity to continue supporting you and your organization!
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In response to COVID-19, CEN has moved all of our programs online, offering virtual training opportunities that merge fundamental best practices with crisis management resources and opportunities for peer-to-peer connections and support. Additionally, we're offering special discounts and payment plans to make these offerings increasingly accessible during this challenging time so please reach out! |
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Participants will explore the basic fundraising process, gain a framework for building a comprehensive fundraising plan, and will learn how to develop a case for support and then strategies to communicate it effectively to donors. We will also touch on the Board's role in fundraising and how best to support these efforts. This beginner level session will leave you with the templates and resources you need to start fundraising more strategically, especially during current challenges. |
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"Making the Ask" Fundraising |
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This session will help you identify best practices for successful fundraising while clarifying roles at every level of a nonprofit organization. Together we'll practice "making the ask" and will explore and practice strategies and techniques to set proper expectations, expand your team's ability to raise money for your organization (including special strategies during times of crisis), and maximize your impact. |
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Understanding Nonprofit Financials |
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As a nonprofit executive or board member, gaining a true understanding of your organization’s financials and making strategic decisions as a result can increase your organization's long term impact, perhaps more than any other leadership skill. This class will explore the basic elements of common nonprofit financial statements, will review basic "financial jargon," and will discuss the nuances of accounting in the nonprofit sector. Participants leave with an understanding of how they can use this financial information to make timely, strategic decisions. |
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Whether it is time for your organization to develop a new plan or you're looking for a guide to adjust your current plan, this workshop will leave you with the tools and resources you need to get the process going. We will review the three basic steps to effective strategic planning and will explore the various ways that organizations can utilize the process to increase impact and meet goals. Additionally, we will take a look at how organizations with a limited budget can either tackle this daunting process on their own or assess what to contract for in order to make those dollars go father |
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LiveImpact is a fully integrated, easy-to-use platform that is perfect for nonprofits of all sizes. It is built to deliver increased engagement and improved efficiency. It includes intelligent apps to support Fundraising, virtual and in-person Events/Auctions, Marketing, Volunteering, Memberships, Programs and Automation. LiveImpact is fully equipped to help nonprofits amplify their mission seamlessly in the new normal. Their onboarding experts work closely with nonprofits to customize the platform for their specific needs, making switching to LiveImpact swift and painless.
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Interested in newsletter sponsorship? This is a great opportunity to share your services with our community of nonprofit leaders and to support CEN's ongoing networking efforts? Please email jen@cen.org.
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Engage in Pride Month Celebrations Around the Bay Area |
Rather than the usual large celebrations traditionally hosted on the last weekend of June, Bay Area event organizers are presenting their Pride events in 2021 in multiple installments. The result of this cautious approach seems to be a wide-ranging palette of opportunities to honor and support the region’s beautifully diverse and inclusive communities, which extends beyond the scope of San Francisco Pride. Follow the link for a list of events and activities celebrating Pride in the Bay Area |
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Support Victims of Tragedies like the Shooting at VTA |
We are all profoundly affected by the shooting at the VTA Younger Light Rail station. Many of you have asked how you can help. Tax deductible donations in support of San Jose’s gun violence victims and their families and communities can be made through Working Partnerships USA's Union Community Resources program. Donations will be used to support people and communities impacted by gun violence, including this tragedy. |
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Funding Opportunities for LGBTQ Organizations |
Funders for LGBTQ Issues works to increase the scale and impact of philanthropic resources aimed at enhancing the well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer communities, promoting equity, and advancing racial, economic and gender justice. They are pleased to offer this resource to connect LGBTQ organizations and others with relevant funding opportunities.
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Hispanic Foundation of Silicon Valley - Latino Board Leadership Academy Virtual Board Match Week |
The Latino Board Leadership Academy (LBLA) is a comprehensive leadership training program designed to recruit and train Latinos to serve as potential nonprofit board members, and match them with boards of nonprofit organizations whose missions best match their personal interests. We invite nonprofits from different sectors such as Health, Education, Arts, Housing, Environment, etc to virtually meet our current and Alumni LBLA Fellows. Board Match Week will take place Monday, June 7th through Thursday, June 10th from 6-8 pm! |
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Pride Month - Make a Donation in Support of LGBTQIA+ Organizations |
During Pride Month, LBGTQIA+ communities proudly come together all over the world to celebrate their identities and experiences. Unfortunately, last year, many educational and fundraising events had to be canceled or shifted virtually due to the COVID -19 global pandemic. Despite this, a number of organizations continued to conduct their programs and services, leading the charge for legal protections where they don't exist and greater protections where they do, pushing for an increase in representation across the public, private, and government sectors, and challenging the mindsets of those outside the community that discrimination can lead to physical and mental harm, and even death.
The nonprofits listed on the linked page are working to eliminate discrimination, advocate for equality, provide access to health care and social support, and protect basic rights for the LGBTQIA+ community.
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CompassPoint - Fundraising Bright Spots Webinar |
The waves of giving in the past several years demonstrate that many people want to participate in social justice movements, but they need access points beyond transactional giving. How do we encourage communities of donors to go further in their political journeys and deepen their civic participation in movements? Join us for a conversation with Mario Lugay, Senior Innovation Director at Justice Funders, and founder of Giving Side.
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Thrive Alliance - Voter Education and Outreach Advisory Committee Meeting |
Event Agenda:
- Discussion on outreach to persons on parole and to other underrepresented communities.
- We will discuss updates on current legislation
Open to everyone. Co-chaired by San Francisco Peninsula People Power, the County Elections Office, and Thrive Alliance
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CalNonprofits - Employee Retention Tax Credit Webinar |
The Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) is a relief program for employers from the federal government. Originally, employers could not apply for both the PPP (Paycheck Protection Program) and the ERTC, so most nonprofits chose PPP. But that's the old news! Now, receiving a PPP loan does NOT affect your ability to qualify for the ERTC. This is a quick, 45-minute look at whether your organization qualifies, about how much money you may be able to claim, and the next steps you should take in applying. |
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Does your organization have a training or resource you would like to share with our newsletter community? Please email allison@cen.org. Posts must include a link to learn more and be formatted into a short blurb.
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Nonprofit Sector Job Openings |
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California Youth Symphony - Executive Director |
The California Youth Symphony is seeking an experienced nonprofit manager with a passion for music. The ideal candidate will blend their effective communication and relationship building skills with a proven track record of attracting and sustaining a broad base of community fund raising.
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Teen Success Inc. - Bay Area Regional Director |
Reporting to the Executive Director, the Bay Area Regional Director provides the day-to-day operational and programmatic leadership needed to deepen Teen Success Inc.’s impact and support its continued success and growth in the region. The successful candidate must be driven by our mission of empowering young families and have a commitment to high-quality performance and outcomes. Teen Success Inc. is looking for a strategic and process-minded leader with experience managing data-driven program growth and change, leading program teams, and developing a performance-focused culture among a diverse, talented staff.
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Fistula Foundation - Senior Marketing Communications Writer |
If you are a highly motivated, creative, and skilled writer, Fistula Foundation is your opportunity to play a key role in transforming women’s lives in Africa and Asia. You will join a small, dedicated staff in addressing the “hidden” problem of obstetric fistula, a childbirth injury that devastates the lives of one million women, primarily in low-income countries. Your challenge will be to build on the Foundation’s solid track record and help the Foundation raise vital revenue that enables us to provide restorative surgery to women. You will contribute to this effort by working with the Foundation’s team to craft compelling communications for donors at all levels and across multiple platforms. |
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Have a Job Opening You Want To Share? |
Please email allison@cen.org to feature your organization's job opening(s) in an upcoming newsletter (format: 3-4 sentences with a link to learn more). Priority is given to CEN members.
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Sobrato Center for Nonprofits - Redwood Shores
330 Twin Dolphin Drive, Suite 151
Redwood City, CA 94065
650-517-5855
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