At the Jane Bancroft Robinson Foundation (JBRF), we are committed to addressing economic disparities and enhancing health outcomes for Black women in Washington, D.C., particularly in Wards 7 and 8. As part of our dedication to supporting Black women-led nonprofits and systemic change, we are proud to highlight our partnership with the Center for Nonprofit Advancement through the Chief Executive Leaders Ascend Program (CELAP).
Founded in 1979, the Center for Nonprofit Advancement has been a cornerstone for nonprofits across the Washington, D.C. region. With a mission to elevate the effectiveness of nonprofits through education, capacity building, and advocacy, the Center serves over 800 organizations in DC, Maryland, and Virginia, focusing on strengthening nonprofits to better serve their communities.
CELAP, one of the Center’s flagship initiatives launched in March 2023, is designed specifically to support Black women-led nonprofits in Wards 7 and 8. Funded by J.P. Morgan Chase, the program provides crucial grantmaking, executive coaching, and wellness support aimed at addressing the disparities exacerbated by the pandemic, particularly for nonprofits led by people of color. Washington Regional Association of Grantmakers’ 2019 report highlighted that less than 3% of regional giving was awarded to organizations led by leaders of color. CELAP was created to counter this inequity by investing in leadership development and capacity building essential for these organizations’ sustainability.
CELAP’s core objectives include enhancing leadership capabilities and improving the operational efficiency of Black women-led nonprofits in Wards 7 and 8. By focusing on these areas, CELAP empowers these nonprofits to manage larger investments, serve more individuals, and achieve greater impact and sustainability. Each of the eight selected organizations receives a $25,000 general operating support grant and a year-long membership to the Center. This membership grants access to a range of resources such as courses, board matching, and technical assistance.
The program benefits from the expertise of a dedicated team of 8-10 capacity-building specialists, all professionals of color. Their extensive experience in nonprofit management, from fundraising to technical assistance, ensures each nonprofit receives the support necessary to enhance its operations and maximize its impact.
The impact of CELAP is already evident. Participants have reported increased board member engagement, development of strategic plans, and improved financial management and fundraising capabilities. “The program’s fundraising capacity-building sessions have been transformative, helping participants improve donor cultivation and engagement. The grants provided have been timely and essential, supporting organizational sustainability, community-focused projects, and operational needs during challenging times.” shares Tyieshia James, Executive Associate at the Center for Nonprofit Advancement. Furthermore, organizations have successfully implemented regular programming, hosted fundraisers, and even opened retail locations. Participants expressed profound appreciation for the Center’s resources, which they have found invaluable in enhancing their organizations’ financial and operational capacities.
The program evaluation by NNR Evaluation, Planning & Research, an independent firm specializing in program evaluation, planning, and research, confirms CELAP’s success and impact. Beyond its primary goals, CELAP offers tailored support, including initial organizational assessments, customized capacity building, technical assistance, and overall wellness.
At JBRF, we are honored to support CELAP with a two-fold wellness approach:
1:1 Coaching Sessions: These five sessions help participants overcome self-limiting beliefs and trauma, fostering lives rooted in joy and authenticity.
Group Coaching: A cohort-based experience that supports Black women leaders in processing the impacts of systemic and internalized oppression on their leadership and self-worth.
Our foundation’s partnership with CELAP underscores our commitment to improving health outcomes, economic mobility, and overall well-being for Black women in the community. This collaboration is especially meaningful as it continues the impactful work of our Director of Community and Strategic Initiatives, Manon Matchett, who has been instrumental in leading philanthropic efforts focused on racial justice, equity, and inclusion in Washington, D.C. We take immense pride in being able to advance engagement with the Center, which drives our shared mission to create systemic change.
“Black women leaders deserve respite that is healthy, holistic, and rejuvenating. CELAP affords these leaders an opportunity to reset and refresh. JBRF is proud to invest in programming that addresses the health needs of Black women leaders East of the Anacostia River.”, shares Manon.
As CELAP continues to evolve, the Center for Nonprofit Advancement envisions expanding its impact by offering additional resources such as wellness retreats and ongoing support for program graduates. Engaging with the broader community East of the River and transparently sharing their successes will further strengthen these efforts. The Center will continue to involve stakeholders in the evaluation process, ensuring their input shapes the program’s development and execution. By leveraging their learnings and best practices, the aim is to encourage local funders to support more leaders in impactful ways.
We envision that programs like CELAP will empower Black women leaders and catalyze positive change across the community. Through its partnership with JBRF and other key funders, CELAP is making significant strides in empowering Black women leaders, demonstrating the power of collaborative efforts to drive meaningful, lasting change.