News of Strengthening Philanthropy

 

KOCT is a nationally award-winning Local Community Television Station and has remained one
of the last fulfillments of unbiased Public Broadcasting in the United States of America for over
40 years strong. We are the Voice of North County, with two designated networks on COX
COMMUNITY CHANNEL 18 for Arts, Culture and History and COX GOVERNMENT CHANNEL 19,
designated for Education, Local & Statewide Government News. You can also watch our 24/7
Live Stream and Video on Demand globally at KOCT.org.

We have proven throughout the test of time we are a driving force behind informing our
surrounding community and as a dedicated non-profit organization, our mission remains clear.
From Live Election Forums to City & Government updates, to highlighting diverse nonprofits &
businesses, hands on youth internship programs, civic engagement, government updates,
economic highlights & quality content, making an impact in our thriving daily lives is our
passion

Let your voice be heard and your mission be seen through the lens of our Award-Winning
Production Team. We invite you to join our Team of Creatives and get your company or
organizations message out. Check out the many affordable ways to get your message out!
PRODUCE A PSA, PODCAST/CAMCAST STUDIO, MAKE A MISSION STATEMENT, HIRE TEAM KOCT and let your voice be heard!

 

Founded in 1983, San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program (SDVLP) was created to ensure that vulnerable and underserved San Diegans have access to free legal help. By connecting individuals in need with private attorneys and legal professionals who generously donate their time and expertise, SDVLP serves as a critical bridge to justice for those who cannot afford legal representation. Today, we are proud to be the largest provider of pro bono civil legal services in San Diego County.

Each year, SDVLP serves more than 6,000 clients – primarily women and children – facing serious legal challenges that threaten their safety, stability, and well-being. These include survivors of domestic violence seeking protection, tenants at risk of eviction, elderly individuals experiencing abuse, families navigating guardianship matters, and more. Our goal is to help clients achieve safety, security, and long-term stability through compassionate, trauma-informed legal advocacy.

We operate more than a dozen programs and clinics throughout the region, providing services both in person and remotely. SDVLP also maintains strong partnerships with Family Justice Centers in downtown San Diego and San Marcos, offering legal assistance on-site to survivors of domestic violence and other crimes.

Our client base is diverse and includes some of the most vulnerable members of our community, such as veterans, seniors, people living with HIV/AIDS, and children in foster care. We also assist small businesses and nonprofits serving disadvantaged communities through our Microbusiness and Nonprofit Support Program (MNSP).

MNSP provides pro bono legal assistance to small businesses and nonprofit organizations that serve historically marginalized communities. From entity formation and contracts to employment policies and intellectual property, MNSP helps local changemakers navigate complex legal issues so they can focus on what they do best: serving the community.

Each year, SDVLP leverages more than 16,000 hours of donated legal services from volunteer attorneys and legal professionals. Together, we are working to build a more just and equitable San Diego, where every individual and organization has the legal support they need not just to survive, but to thrive.

For more information, visit https://sdvlp.org/

MP Consulting services encompass strategic planning, retreat facilitation, comprehensive campaign consulting and strengthening Board engagement. At MP Consulting, our purpose is to be your trusted advisor and help build a strong nonprofit Board and staff to master the art of Philanthropy.

Our promise is to creatively inspire your Board to develop and implement strategies to increase resources and ensure your organization’s leadership and investors are working together.

MP Consulting will listen to what is important to you – assess and apply your strengths – recommend achievable approaches – and be with you through implementation.

As President of MP Consulting, Marianne Pekala, CFRE has more than 20 plus years as a development professional highly devoted to individual giving, consultant, educator, and implementor.

Marianne is a BoardSource Certified Board Trainer and a Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE). Since 1999, she has proudly served on the Board of Directors of North County Philanthropy Council (NCPC) and is currently chairing its Strategic Planning Committee. Marianne has also served on the Boards of the Pat Tillman Foundation, HD South, and Gilbert Leadership.

MP Consulting has worked with local and national nonprofits with all size budgets to help them become stronger, resilient sustainable organizations. Marianne cares about your philanthropy and how it impacts your nonprofit. You can reach Marianne at https://www.mpekalaconsulting.com/.

 

MP Consulting services encompass strategic planning, retreat facilitation, comprehensive campaign consulting and strengthening Board engagement. At MP Consulting, our purpose is to be your trusted advisor and help build a strong nonprofit Board and staff to master the art of Philanthropy.

Our promise is to creatively inspire your Board to develop and implement strategies to increase resources and ensure your organization’s leadership and investors are working together.

MP Consulting will listen to what is important to you – assess and apply your strengths – recommend achievable approaches – and be with you through implementation.

As President of MP Consulting, Marianne Pekala, CFRE has more than 20 plus years as a development professional highly devoted to individual giving, consultant, educator, and implementor.

Marianne is a BoardSource Certified Board Trainer and a Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE). Since 1999, she has proudly served on the Board of Directors of North County Philanthropy Council (NCPC) and is currently chairing its Strategic Planning Committee. Marianne has also served on the Boards of the Pat Tillman Foundation, HD South, and Gilbert Leadership.

MP Consulting has worked with local and national nonprofits with all size budgets to help them become stronger, resilient sustainable organizations. Marianne cares about your philanthropy and how it impacts your nonprofit. You can reach Marianne at https://www.mpekalaconsulting.com/.

 

Valuable Connected Care:

Meeting the health and wellness needs of the community

Vista Community Clinic (VCC) is committed to providing Valuable Connected Care, ensuring that individuals and families receive high-quality, compassionate healthcare. Serving North County San Diego, Riverside County, and Orange County, VCC offers a comprehensive range of services, including adult and family medicine, women’s health, pediatrics, dental care, behavioral health, cardiology, optometry, acupuncture, chiropractic care, senior care, and cancer screenings.

Beyond clinical care, VCC prioritizes community well-being through free health education programs open to all residents. The clinic also extends its reach with the VCC Mobile Medical Unit, bringing essential healthcare services directly to underserved populations. Furthering its commitment to wellness, VCC launched the Mobile Food Market, providing fresh, nutritious food to local families and reinforcing the vital connection between proper nutrition and overall health.

Continuing its mission to expand access to care, VCC recently opened VCC: Vista Village Pediatrics, a dedicated pediatric facility designed to meet the growing needs of young patients in North San Diego County. This expansion reflects VCC’s ongoing efforts to ensure families have access to high-quality, specialized care.

Over the past year, VCC’s dedication has been recognized with several prestigious awards. For the second consecutive year, the clinic earned the Gold Health Center Quality Leader badge from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), placing it among the top-performing health centers nationwide. Additionally, VCC received national recognition from the American Diabetes Association for its Diabetes Self-Management Education & Support (DSMES) Clinic, which empowers patients with essential tools to manage their health effectively.

Looking ahead, we are excited to host our Annual Gala on Saturday, October 4th, at Frontwave Arena in Oceanside. This fundraising event will help expand health and wellness services while supporting the Karen Black Memorial Scholarship Fund, which provides financial assistance to aspiring healthcare professionals.

For tickets, sponsorship opportunities, or more information, please contact Betsy Heightman at betsy@vcc.org. Join us for an unforgettable night of philanthropy and celebration as we work together to build a healthier future for all.

www.vistacommunityclinic.org

What happens when a community comes together with compassion and purpose? Together, we nourish, empower and transform the lives of our neighbors in need. Community Resource Center (CRC) is a proud Premier Member of North County Philanthropy Council (NCPC). We’re excited to share how we’re creating lasting change across our community and how you can be part of the transformation.

OUR MISSION

For 45 years, CRC has been serving our North County neighbors—providing food, shelter, housing assistance, counseling and vital services to those at risk of homelessness, including survivors of domestic violence. Impacting more than 8,600 individuals last year, our mission is to help our neighbors create paths to healthy food, stable homes and safe relationships.

OUR IMPACT

 

View CRC’s Full Annual Impact Here

 

BUILDING A HEALING-CENTERED CAMPUS

CRC’s One Community • One Heart Capital Campaign will transform our campus and the lives of our neighbors in need for years to come. We’re grateful for our capital campaign donors who have invested in the transformation. Learn more about our vision and how to get involved: https://oneheart-crc.org/.

 

 

 

GET INVOLVED WITH CRC

We invite you to engage with us!

• CRC Tour: Join us for a tour of our Food & Nutrition Center. Register here for this free tour
• 30^th Annual CRC Tea:  Join us on Saturday, April 5 at Fairbanks Ranch Country Club (tickets available until March 19) or explore our online silent auction opening on April 1!

For more information about how you can get involved with Community Resource Center, please visit our website at www.crcncc.org. You can also follow us on social media at @SanDiegoCRC.

Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-877-633-1112

Turn Action into Impact!

365 Connect is a 501(c)3 organization whose mission is purpose-driven: to connect corporations and donors with nonprofit organizations in order to create a shared sense of purpose through Corporate Volunteering and Employee Engagement programs for long-term community impact.

365 Connect is a women-owned organization that was created to address critical needs of the community while creating lasting social impact programs through employee volunteer experiences and cause-related programs. 

What is Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)?

Think of CSR as an integral part of your business strategy that showcases aspects of being a responsible corporate citizen to your stakeholders, employees, and community. This internal and external commitment to profit and purpose demonstrates your values through operations and investments.  

Employee volunteerism is just one component of a CSR program, and this is where 365 Connect can help! We work with you to identify long term goals of an employee volunteer program in order to bring to life a program that shows measurable impact.

Why is this important?

According to research from Benevity, the last three years have seen a massive surge in corporate volunteering due to the hybrid workspace. Never before have so many companies invested into corporate volunteering programs and gained so much in return:  loyal employees, increased team morale, enhanced company reputation, and a sense of purpose within the workforce, ultimately leading to better recruitment, higher retention, and overall company performance. Action creates impact!

Take a look at our Year in Review Video >>> 365 Connect 2024 Year in Review

How do you strategically plan for community involvement and impact?

Whether you are just starting CSR in your company, or want to level up an established program, 365 Connect will help you turn goals into results and action into impact. Companies that invest more strategically on a multi-level approach achieve stronger measurable outcomes, creating compounding impact year-over-year.

THE 365 CONNECT PROCESS

365 Connect will ensure that your program is not only well-planned and executed, but that it also creates meaningful impact for your team and its chosen cause of support.

Step 1:  Listen & Learn

365 Connect leadership will meet with you to learn about your organization’s goals and values.  

Step 2: Program Design

365 Connect will present options for you to select the cause and nonprofit to support based on your team’s purpose and goals, then design programs for impact with measurable goals. 

Step 3: Implementation

365 Connect will execute every detail of the planning process, creating an engaging, turn-key event for your team to show up and shine through volunteerism and connection. 

Step 4: Wrap Up 

Celebrate the impact your team made in the community! 365 Connect will provide a post-program summary, complete with impact metrics, to demonstrate your values and results to your stakeholders and employees.  

Step 4: Next Steps 

365 Connect can turn a single event into a long-term strategy to maximize your company’s positive impacts for employees and the community on multiple levels. Let’s start the conversation!

All project proposals are custom designed and can include:                     

• Half-Day Projects

• Full Day of Service

• Week of Service

• Conference/Convention Breakouts

• Youth Service Programs (NEW)

• Annual Volunteer Programs 

• Corporate Social Responsibility Plan 

 

Contact 365 Connect today to make 2025 the best year yet for your employees and your community! 

Teresa Miller:  teresa@365-connect.org             

Carlen Haag: carlen@365-connect.org

www.365-connect.org/contact

 

 

The Elizabeth Hospice: A Compassionate Community Resource

Since 1978, The Elizabeth Hospice has been a leading provider of hospice care, palliative care, and grief support services for children and adults in San Diego County and Southwest Riverside County.  As a nonprofit, we offer care to everyone in the community. No one in need of our services has ever been turned away due to financial reasons.

Our services also include a dedicated pediatric team offering specialized care for children diagnosed with advanced serious or terminal illnesses. Comprehensive grief support services are open to all in the community, regardless of when or how their person died. Grief support includes individual counseling and support groups, as well as specialized programs for children and their families. A patient affiliation is not required to access grief support.

The Elizabeth Hospice is proud to support veterans. Our staff are trained to address post-traumatic stress, depression, anxiety, survivor’s guilt, and soul injury. Through our veteran pinning ceremonies, we honor and thank those who have served our country.

Our commitment to excellence is demonstrated by our Gold Seal of Approval from The Joint Commission, an independent organization that certifies and accredits healthcare institutions across the U.S. This certification reflects our dedication to delivering high-quality, compassionate care.

We’re here to help people facing the challenges associated with advanced serious illnesses. If you or someone you know needs our services, please contact The Elizabeth Hospice at 800.797.2050 or visit www.elizabethhospice.org.

The Elizabeth Hospice invites the community to join us for our Wings of Hope Celebration on Sunday, April 27 (1:30  – 3:30 PM) at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido

Wings of Hope is a heartfelt gathering that celebrates the memory of those who have touched our lives. Join us for a butterfly release, live music, sweet treats, and uplifting messages from The Elizabeth Hospice’s grief support team. The event is free and open to all, but you must register by April 18 at www.elizabethhospice.com/wings.

 

NGA helps nonprofits of every size and sector build capacity through expert counsel in fundraising, planning, staffing, and training. Our projects range from campaign planning studies and capital campaigns to strategic planning and executive search.

As a leading regional consulting firm, we are currently working with over 40 nonprofits across California, Oregon, Washington, and Hawai`i. We are proud to share recent highlights of client achievements and updates from our regional team:

• Armed Services YMCA San Diego broke ground on the new Center for Military Families, which will more than double their childcare capacity and youth programs. With NGA providing capital campaign counsel, the ASYMCA raised over $ 7 million.

Jeanne Schmelzer (r), NGA executive vice president, attends ASYMCA groundbreaking in September 2024.

• Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral surpassed its campaign goal of $2.5 million to complete the Music Center, providing more space for St. Paul’s renowned choirs and musicians as well as the Voices of Our City Choir. NGA managed the campaign with outstanding leadership from Campaign Co-Chairs Russ Okihara and Rockette Ewell, staff and volunteers.

 

• The Winston School in Del Mar selected NGA to manage its Campus Renovation Campaign, following a campaign study completed in 2024.

 

• Child Advocates of Silicon Valley has embarked on a capital project following a campaign planning study. NGA is providing campaign counsel.

 

• The Channel Islands YMCA contracted with NGA to conduct a feasibility study for a new YMCA in Paso Robles.

Our regionally based team provides active board and committee leadership to AFP San Diego and are in their 11th year serving on the board of North County Philanthropy Council.

To learn more, visit netzelgrigsby.com

Puzzle Pieces Marketing is a bold, creative, and vibrant nonprofit marketing agency that is proudly Black-owned, women-owned, LGBTQ+ owned, and veteran-owned.

Founded in 2009 by Angel Mason Broadus, the agency is now owned and operated by Angel and her wife, Kristine Mason Broadus. Specializing in Branding, Website Design & Development, Graphic Design, and Copywriting & Messaging, Puzzle Pieces Marketing helps nonprofits and mission-driven businesses tell their stories in powerful and authentic ways.

Rooted in San Diego, they’re more than just marketers—they’re an active part of and deeply involved in the community. From serving as board members and committee chairs to rolling up their sleeves as volunteers, they bring firsthand experience and a unique perspective as a minority-owned small business. Their passion for social impact drives them to build brands that don’t just stand out but truly connect, inspire, and create lasting change.

They take pride in collaborating with incredible people on past and ongoing projects, including:

• MAAC – Brand Refresh and Website Redesign & Development
• San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum – Rebrand and Website Redesign & Development
• California Center for the Arts, Escondido – Strategic Communications Plan
• MOXIE Theatre – Rebrand
• Junior Achievement of San Diego County – Website Redesign & Development
• Community Resource Center – Fundraising Campaigns
• NCAAWA – Branding & Marketing

To see more of their work visit https://puzzlepiecesmarketing.com/our-work/

Giving Back: Puzzle Pieces Marketing’s Commitment to Nonprofits

Puzzle Pieces Marketing is passionate about using the power of marketing to uplift nonprofits that support under-resourced communities and advocate for racial equity, LGBTQ+ rights, affordable housing, education, healthcare, financial literacy, food security, mental health and wellness, employment and workforce development, accessibility, and community development.

Through pro bono marketing services, the agency helps these organizations amplify their voices, expand their reach, and create real, lasting impact. By providing marketing resources and support, Puzzle Pieces Marketing ensures that the missions driving these nonprofits don’t just get noticed—they inspire action and fuel meaningful change.

Visit their website to learn more about Puzzle Pieces Marketing.  https://puzzlepiecesmarketing.com.