Latino Community Foundation Announces Second Cohort of Groundbreaking Latino Nonprofit Accelerator
9 Latino Nonprofits Accepted into Google.org-backed Program Modeled after Tech Incubators
San Francisco, CA (April 9, 2019) – The Latino Community Foundation has a big idea —unleash the power of Latinos by investing in the organizations on the frontlines of social change. Google.org has made $1 million commitment to turn this idea into reality. The first cohort exceeded expectations – the pilot Accelerator helped 9 Latino-led organizations double their confidence and raise $2.5M of new funding to support their work.
Today, the Latino Community Foundation is thrilled to announce the launch of the second cohort of the Latino Nonprofit Accelerator, the first-ever incubator for Latino nonprofits in California. Inspired by the tech-model of incubating big ideas and mentoring entrepreneurs, the year-long Accelerator gives nonprofits a boost by equipping a cohort of leaders with the fundraising and communications tools they need to build confidence, own their impact, and secure critical new funding.
“Being accepted into this Accelerator is a game changer for La Luz Center. We’ve already become so much stronger, bolder, and more confident because of the loving support of the Latino Community Foundation. We are excited to grow alongside other visionary nonprofit leaders and with a team of world-class coaches,” said Juan Hernandez, Executive Director of La Luz Center in Sonoma, one of the selected nonprofits.
The Accelerator is inspired by tech, but the program is designed with love, culture and community at the center. This revolutionary model for capacity building has proven to be a winning strategy. It is thoughtful in design and powerful in its impact. In 2019, the Latino Community Foundation is building on the pilot’s success, helping to expand the model to a larger geographic area of the state. The Foundation is also piloting an Accelerator Lite program modeled after the Accelerator in priority regions- Central Valley and Silicon Valley.
“Latino grassroots leaders have the determination, entrepreneurial vision, and the passion to create lasting change in our communities” shared Masha Chernyak, Vice President of Programs and the architect of the Accelerator. “What they need is respect, access to capital, and world-class mentorship to help actualize their biggest dreams. It’s time to invest in nonprofits the way we do in startups; time to bet big on our community, to invest in our gamechangers, and to change the game.”
Funders are equally as excited. Google.org invested $1,000,0000 in the pilot alongside The San Francisco Foundation and Akonadi Foundation. In year two, 10 new funders are backing this vital program that accelerates change and sustainability in the nonprofit sector.
“We are honored to support the Latino Nonprofit Accelerator – one of the most innovative and exciting new models for capacity building for social change leaders and organizations,” commented Adrian Schurr, the Bay Area Giving Program Manager at Google.org. “Not only does Latino Community Foundation share Google’s belief that technology and innovation can accelerate change, but they are proving it through this groundbreaking program.”
Selected organizations receive 12 months of funding, access to world class fundraising and branding coaches and an award-winning photographer to document their work. They also participate in four retreats where funders, mentors, and cohort leaders learn together. The Accelerator culminates in a Demo Day, where leaders pitch their work to a community of investors, funders, and individual donors. Watch the video from the 2018 Demo Day here.
The nine organizations selected for the 2019-2020 Accelerator are:
· La Luz Center | Sonoma
· Nuestra Casa | East Palo Alto
· <Dev / Mission> | San Francisco
· Fresno Barrios Unidos | Fresno
· TODEC | Inland Empire
· 99Rootz (Project of Power CA) | Central Valley
· Prospera | Oakland
· Dolores Huerta Foundation | Central Valley
· North Bay Organizing Project | Sonoma
To learn more about the Latino Nonprofit Accelerator, visit https://latinocf.org/latino-nonprofit-accelerator/
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About Latino Community Foundation:
The Latino Community Foundation is on a mission to unleash the power of Latinos in California by investing in Latino-led organizations dedicated to the transformation of their communities. LCF has the largest network of Latino philanthropists in the country and has invested millions of dollars to improve the livelihood of Latino families. It is the only statewide foundation solely focused on investing in Latino youth and families in California. LCF’s approach is rooted in the very essence of what it means to be Latino, with a fierce tenacity and focus on community and authentic relationships. For more information visit www.latinocf.org.
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