The Morris & Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation Extends Program Providing Operational Support to Hundreds of Area Nonprofits

WASHINGTON, DC — The Morris & Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation announced that it is extending its partnership with Catchafire for a third year to provide hundreds of DC-area nonprofits access to services from skilled volunteers at no cost.  Since 2019, the Cafritz Foundation has given nonprofits access to Catchafire’s platform, connecting them to the professional help they need to build capacity.

During the first two years of the partnership, DC-area nonprofits completed more than $1.4 million in projects through their Catchafire memberships, representing more than 7,338 volunteer hours and over 430 projects.  In the last year especially, Catchafire’s virtual volunteers helped nonprofits meet critical needs as they responded to multiple crises.

“Throughout the pandemic, nonprofits have struggled with challenges such as operating with decreased volunteer support, shifting program delivery and dealing with event and fundraiser cancellations.  Some have experienced significant changes in demand, while others have reassessed how work should be done going forward,” said Tobi Printz-Platnick.  “Extending our partnership with Catchafire allows hundreds of nonprofits to access needed professional services at no cost, which helps them build capacity, continue to recover from this challenging year and better serve their communities.”

Catchafire helps to strengthen nonprofits by matching professionals who want to donate their time with organizations that need their help.  Through the partnership with The Cafritz Foundation, 250 nonprofits will have access to skills-based volunteers through Catchafire’s virtual platform.  This support empowers nonprofits to build capacity and strengthen their infrastructure.

“We’re excited to continue our work with DC area nonprofits to help them fulfill unmet needs,” said Catchafire CEO Rachael Chong. “With the support of the Cafritz Foundation, we’re able to help DC area nonprofits access expert professional services, saving them time and money so they can focus on serving their communities.”

Catchafire volunteers offer assistance on a wide variety of projects, including fundraising, data management, business systems development, translation, technical writing and graphic design.  All the volunteers are skilled professionals who apply to work on a nonprofit’s project and are matched if both parties agree to work together.  Local nonprofit organizations are reaping the rewards.

DC Special Education Cooperative, which works to ensure that all students with disabilities in the District of Columbia receive a rigorous, individualized and inclusive education preparing them for post-secondary success, has used Catchafire to improve internal systems.

“Catchafire support has helped our small nonprofit to address urgent matters and dig into projects that had been left on the back burner.  We have been so impressed with the level of expertise of Catchafire volunteers.  Their skill and dedication has freed up the Co-op team to focus on our mission.  This is a game-changing service for organizations like us,” said Julie Camerata, Executive Director at the DC Special Education Cooperative.