The Context

In service of its vision that all children in LA County enter kindergarten ready to succeed in school and life, First 5 LA’s Best Start effort invests in 14 geographic areas that have faced historic disenfranchisement and oppression. First 5 LA sought a partner to provide capacity-strengthening services for the nonprofits participating within each of its Best Start community partnerships to help them address challenges, build partnerships, and influence policy and systems-level change.  

The Engagement

CNM provided technical assistance, training, and coaching to the staff of more than 100 nonprofits participating in the Best Start Networks. By attending CNM’s professional development seminars and skill-building certificate programs, the staff at these nonprofits improved their capacity to effectively achieve their mission-focused goals, influence policy outcomes, and advocate for systemic change.

CNM’s advisors and coaches helped the grantees improve in these areas and more:

• Nonprofit management
• Building an equitable workplace culture
• Leveraging boards during times of crisis
• Power mapping to support systems change
• Advancing equity and addressing bias, bigotry, and racism

Services Provided

• Strengthening Opportunities for Organizations and People
• Organizational Assessments
• Strategy Development and Planning
• Program Design and Implementation
• Connection and Collaboration

The Results

• 150+ Nonprofits strengthened their capacity to better serve young children and the families and communities who support them.
• CNM continues to support the organizations participating in First 5 LA’s Best Start