Home » CompassPoint/CBO Center Merger FAQs

CompassPoint/CBO Center Merger FAQs

Why are CompassPoint and The CBO Center merging?
The CBO Center and CompassPoint are forming a strategic alliance to expand capacity-building services to community-based organizations in Alameda and Contra Costa counties.

Who initiated the merger?
Liz Callahan of The CBO Center initiated conversations with CompassPoint over two years ago to discuss ways to strengthen and sustain capacity-building services in the East Bay. She chose CompassPoint because she sees them as a trusted partner with the capacity to ensure sustainable services for the East Bay.

Was The CBO Center or CompassPoint in financial trouble?
Both organizations are financially sound. This strategic alliance comes from a position of financial strength and will result in an overall increase in capacity and resources for the East Bay.

Is CompassPoint taking over The CBO Center? Is The CBO Center going away? Liz Callahan of The CBO Center will join the CompassPoint staff and continue to focus on the East Bay. The CBO Center will dissolve as a corporation.

Are you doing this because mergers are a trend right now?
Not at all. We undertook this plan after thoughtful conversations as the best way to increase the attention, resources, and services available to community-based organizations in the East Bay.

Is Liz leaving, retiring, or otherwise going away?
Far from it! Liz Callahan, founding executive director of The CBO Center, is looking forward to freeing up her time from day-to-day management to focus on her passion: being a leader in capacity building, consulting, and coaching for CBOs. Liz will join the CompassPoint staff and continue to focus on the nonprofit work she excels at.

What is the name of the organization going to be?
The name of the merged organization will be CompassPoint Nonprofit Services.

Is CompassPoint ready to serve the East Bay?
CompassPoint is ready and eager to increase its capacity in the East Bay. CompassPoint has served the Bay Area nonprofit community for more than 35 years and views this strategic alliance as a means to deepen its commitment to building capacity for community-based organizations in the East Bay.

We had great access to Liz. Is the East Bay going to be lost in the shuffle now, since CompassPoint is such a big organization? Liz will continue to serve the Bay Area’s nonprofit community as she has done so well for years. In addition to Liz, the East Bay will benefit from access to the entire CompassPoint organization and its network.

Who is going to be the advocate for the East Bay?
CompassPoint leadership and staff, Liz Callahan, former board members of The CBO Center, and community-based organizations in the East Bay themselves will all continue to advocate for the unique needs and opportunities in the East Bay.

What programs and services are going to change? What will I be gaining?
Programs and services in the East Bay will increase in quantity and variety. Visit the CompassPoint catalog for more information on offerings.

Is The CBO Center office closing? Where will our CompassPoint location be?
CompassPoint will maintain a location at the John F. Kennedy University Pleasant Hill campus, where The CBO Center has been headquartered. Watch the CompassPoint catalog for details on where programs and services are offered and choose the location most convenient for you. For more information on locations, click here.

Can I afford CompassPoint’s workshops?
We’re committed to providing high-quality, accessible, and affordable services for the Bay Area’s nonprofit sector. Hour for hour, the cost of a CompassPoint workshop is comparable to a CBO Center workshop. While The CBO Center primarily offered shorter sessions, CompassPoint offers half-day, full-day, and multiple-day workshops, as well as online webinars. Our prices are competitive. CompassPoint workshop fees are on a sliding scale basis, with smaller budget organizations paying a lower fee. When you register you will be asked to choose your fee level based on the overall budget of the organization for which you are a staff member, board member, or volunteer. We also offer bulk discounts for community-based organizations and individuals. And we offer management workshops for free or at a reduced rate in exchange for volunteer time. Read more about our workshop fees and discounts.

Are there going to be any changes at the CompassPoint Silicon Valley location?
CompassPoint remains committed to the Silicon Valley location and does not anticipate any changes there. With this strategic alliance, CompassPoint is in an even stronger position to be the regional provider of capacity-building services to CBOs and nonprofits throughout the Bay Area.

How do I give feedback?
You can reach us by phone at 415.541.9000, or email at info@compasspoint.org.

How can I reach Liz Callahan?
You can reach Liz by email at LizC@compasspoint.org or by phone at either 925.262.8109 or 510.835.1009.