Bridging the Gap: A Collaborative Approach to Philanthropy

Over the last few years, we have seen historic public sector investments. However, often times these funds have lengthy application and management processes, making them frequently fail to reach the communities that need them most. Philanthropy, foundations, donors, and investors have an opportunity to help remedy that gap!

During this meeting, we will discuss how to deploy grants, loans, and other tools to help grantees build capacity, identify intermediary fund managers, and bridge timing gaps. We will be joined by three speakers who will share examples of this type of funding from across the country, as well as learning lessons from a $40M grant for climate-resilient projects currently underway in Barrio Logan.

Join us to learn how we can attract more public dollars to our region and support nonprofits for sustained, long-term impact.

Target Audience

This program is open to members only. If you are interested in Catalyst membership, please contact [email protected].

Catalyst is committed to making our events accessible to everyone. Please let us know how we can help you fully participate by contacting [email protected]. 

Speakers

Jessica LaBarbera | Chief of Staff, VP of Strategic Initiatives | Nonprofit Finance Fund

Jessica serves as Chief of Staff and VP of Strategic Initiatives at Nonprofit Finance Fund where she leads the development of innovative strategic partnerships and programs that further NFF’s commitment to connecting nonprofit organizations with the capital and resources needed to build community wealth and power.

As Chief Business Development Officer for NFF’s Advisory Services practice, she raised $7-9 million in annual revenue to deliver consulting services for mission-based organizations and their funding partners and was part of the leadership team overseeing the operations and strategic evolution of a national consulting practice. Previously, as VP of Strategic Innovation, she led NFF’s work in the Pay for Success (PFS) arena, spearheading outcomes-focused funding to addressing social challenges. And prior, as NFF’s California Market Director, she led growth of NFF’s consulting services in California.

Before NFF, she served as a Vice President at Citi Community Capital, a division of Citigroup, where she provided structured financing and impact investment to national nonprofit and CDFI clients. She holds a Master in Public Administration in nonprofit management from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs, and a Bachelor of Arts in sociology from the University of Virginia.
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Christiana DeBenedict | Director of Environmental Initiatives | San Diego Foundation

Christiana DeBenedict serves as Director of Environmental Initiatives, leading programs and directing resources to build a more equitable and resilient San Diego. She has built her career locally, developing capacity, resources, programs and networks in support of our regional and binational environment and community.

As the Director of Environment Leadership Initiatives at The Nonprofit Institute at the University of San Diego, Christiana managed The Equinox Project and the Outdoor Leaders Initiative. She also directed the San Diego Regional Climate Collaborative, a network of cities and public agencies working to advance local climate solutions. Previously, Christiana served as Assistant Director of Climate Education Partners, a $5 million National Science Foundation funded project that engaged and informed government, business and community leaders on local climate impacts. As Director of Member Services and Operations at the US-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership, Christiana supported a network of 21 community foundations working to strengthen philanthropy, leadership and collaboration in the US-Mexico border region.

Christiana graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with a Bachelor of Arts in Hispanic Languages and Bilingual Issues and holds an International MBA from IE Business School in Madrid, Spain.

Lul Tesfai | Director of Program Development | The James Irvine Foundation

Lul Tesfai joined the Irvine Foundation as the Director of Program Development in November 2022. Lul brings more than a decade of experience leading education and workforce policy development, program implementation and evaluation, with the goal of supporting the economic advancement of marginalized youth and adults.

Prior to Irvine, Lul was a senior advisor with the Center on Education & Labor at New America, where she helped shape federal, state, and local policies related to high-quality education and training models, workforce development, and worker protections. In this capacity, Lul also worked directly with communities and stakeholders to design and implement systems that improve educational and economic outcomes.

Lul previously served as the Director of Policy in the Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education at the U.S. Department of Education (ED). There she oversaw ED’s career and technical education, adult education, community college, and correctional education and reentry portfolio. She has also worked as a policy consultant for the California Senate Office of Research, an educational consultant to several school districts across the country, and a public school teacher.

Lul holds a master’s degree in public policy from the University of California, Berkeley, and a bachelor’s degree in political science and international studies from Northwestern University.
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