Since 2023, Magic Cabinet has partnered with Catchafire to expand access to capacity support and technical assistance across Washington and California, with a strong focus on small, grassroots organizations.
Rather than prescribing what support an organization needs, this partnership puts the power back in the hands of nonprofit leaders. It gives them the agency to identify their own priorities and access specialized expertise as those needs evolve. Whether strengthening internal operations, reinventing a fundraising model, building new leadership skills, or responding to emerging community challenges, leaders can get the right support at exactly the right time.
This $1 million milestone reflects far more than the cumulative financial value of completed projects; it demonstrates Magic Cabinet’s drive to reinvent the philanthropic sector, so nonprofits can simply do what they do best. By providing grantees with unlimited access to Catchafire, Magic Cabinet invests in flexible, self-directed capacity building that organizations can tap into whenever new opportunities or headwinds arise.
What began as a single, quiet community garden has blossomed over the years into something truly vibrant—a network of food forests and gardens, support of local food and farms, community empowerment to address environmental challenges, and youth engagement. Sustainable Solano’s heart has always been rooted in bringing residents closer to the land and to one another.
But behind the scenes of every flourishing garden and youth initiative is an all-too-common reality: dedicated leaders getting stretched to their limits. With a small staff focused on working with communities around their needs, they needed support to grow the organization, from strengthening financial systems to ensuring policy compliance.
That is where pro bono support changed the narrative. By partnering with pro bono consultants and skilled volunteers on Catchafire, Sustainable Solano unlocked the operational muscle they needed to thrive without sacrificing their mission. Skills-based volunteers stepped alongside them to update HR handbooks, sharpen financial strategy, ensure website accessibility, and translate outreach materials into Spanish. Some of those valued consultants continue to help them today, expanding their network of experts willing to lend a hand.
"We have ensured that our Employee Handbook is up to date, received guidance on new technology, guidance on improving financial budgeting approaches as the organization grows, reviewed our website for better user experience, and translated documents into Spanish to reach a larger section of county residents. All of these directly impact the work we do either by giving us foundational support to do that work or directly connecting with the intended audience."
— Allison N., Co-Executive Director of Sustainable Solano
The real magic of this support happens when freed-up resources turn into direct community transformation. When Sustainable Solano took on a crucial air quality initiative in Solano County, they wanted their high school interns to co-lead the public event. They needed more than just a template; they needed mentorship for these budding young leaders.
Catchafire volunteers Jen and Sarah stepped in, providing hands-on coaching and customized facilitation guides for both staff and youth.
"Both were incredibly responsive and invested in bolstering our organization's capacity to facilitate community events and empower youth to be leaders."
— Allison N., Co-Executive Director of Sustainable Solano
Because the organization didn't have to pay for costly consulting fees, those saved dollars went right back where they belonged: providing opportunities for community members to gather, connect with one another and advocate for their health and their environment.
We all benefit when nonprofits have what they need to thrive. Nonprofits today are navigating a complex storm of funding freezes, economic uncertainty, and widespread staff burnout. Capacity building isn't a luxury in these conditions—it is vital self-defense that strengthens core functions like leadership growth, contingency planning, and operational technology.
Reaching this milestone celebrates far more than saved dollars. It represents Magic Cabinet’s steadfast commitment to making accessible capacity building a permanent pillar of resilience for the entire social sector.