Initiatives

"This program has truly been the best opportunity in moving forward in my career. I am learning so much from you all and the group. This one day a month has been one of my primary sources of motivation and has kept me excited about the future." – Stephanie Balon Wong, Shelter Network

"It is strategic to support…CompassPoint…because they have the knowledge, skills and track record in developing leadership and building the capacity of nonprofits, particularly in communities of color." – Sandra Martínez, The California Wellness Foundation

CompassPoint partners with foundations, corporations, and government agencies to design and implement innovative and effective leadership-development and capacity-building initiatives for nonprofit organizations and their leaders. We form strong relationships with both funders and nonprofits and bring creative thinking, tested systems, and a strong record for executing projects on time and on budget.  

Our initiatives use a range of modalities – teaching, consulting, coaching, and peer learning – and an approach that integrates management skill building, leadership development, and a multicultural framework. By cultivating more effective leaders and organizations through these holistic program methods, we, in turn, contribute to creating a more powerful nonprofit sector and community advocates who are better prepared and able to advance a fair, just, and healthy society.
 

Show Me the Money- Nonprofits Talking Taxes

The Building Movement Project and CompassPoint Nonprofit Services have developed the project, “Talking About Taxes,” to inspire and activate staff of nonprofits to become engaged in the reform efforts to overhaul California’s tax and budget structure. We believe an important first step is for everyone who works for any nonprofit to understand California’s tax and budget structure and the various reforms that are being proposed to fix it. Helping people form their opinions about public funding and taxes and increasing civic engagement is one of the first steps of taking action. Read more.

Next Generation Leaders of Color Leadership Development Program

Launched in 2009, the Next Generation Leaders of Color program is an intensive leadership development program for managers of color working in Bay Area health and human service organizations. Using a multicultural leadership framework, NGLC focuses on two management areas critical for community-based managers and leaders to be successful. The first area is to supervise, develop, inspire, and influence people. The second is to develop business acumen with an emphasis on financial strategy, comprehension, and literacy. Read more.

The Strong Field Project

The Strong Field Project, launched in 2010, is a four-year effort aimed at building a strong, coordinated network of domestic violence service providers in California. The Project will develop individual leadership skills, stronger organizations, and expanded networking and knowledge-sharing opportunities to strengthen the entire field. Read more.

Coaching and Philanthropy Project

The Coaching and Philanthropy Project was created to help nonprofits and funders become conscious consumers of coaching as a means for leadership development and organizational effectiveness, and to develop the coaching profession to support the needs of nonprofit organizations. Read more.

Fundraising Academy for Communities of Color

Created in 2004 by CompassPoint and the Grassroots Institute for Fundraising Training (GIFT), the Fundraising Academy for Communities of Color (FACC) is an intensive training and coaching program specifically for fundraising staff, board members, and other volunteers within nonprofits based in communities of color. Over 60 organizations have graduated from the academy, with learning cohorts supported by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the Evelyn & Walter Haas, Jr. Fund, The California Endowment, and PG&E. The academy draws upon the expertise of seasoned fundraising professionals of color and provides a framework for learning and skills development that includes interactive training, coaching, and peer learning. Read more.

Executive Transitions Initiative

Funded by the Annie E. Casey Foundation with local funding and nonprofit partners, this initiative has two components: 1) bringing CompassPoint's services to nonprofit grantees of the Annie E. Casey Foundation and 2) replicating CompassPoint's Executive Transitions programs in local communities. Read more.

Leadership Development Program for Executives Serving Transition-Age Youth

Now in its fifth year, the Leadership Development Program for Executives Serving Transition-Age Youth was developed by CompassPoint with funding from The California Wellness Foundation (TCWF) to address the changing needs of leadership professionals serving transition-age youth. Read More.

San Francisco Mayor's Office of Community Investment

This long-running initiative provides training and capacity-building support to nonprofit organization grantees of the San Francisco Mayor's Office of Community Investment. Read more.

The CompassPoint and Citi Executive Director Leadership Program

CompassPoint and Citi recently completed the first Citi Executive Director Leadership Program to provide leadership and management training to 18 nonprofit leaders from the Bay Area’s most challenged communities. Funded by the Citi Foundation, this five-month training program provided participants with the skills and knowledge needed to maximize their impact in the community. Read more.