In the year 2000, our founder leaves her full-time professorship to run the Harman Family Foundation and begins to wonder: how do you create equity of access for smaller nonprofits to donors of means? Soon the answer comes into focus. Create a catalogue!
Win financial support from local foundations to add to the Harmans’ leadership gift. Invite submissions from DC nonprofits with budgets under $2M; convince twenty top-notch volunteers to evaluate applications; choose the best.
Use down-to-earth storytelling, arresting local photography, and great design to represent the community in all its diversity and to honor and celebrate the work. Mail 30,000 catalogues … and wait.
OF ACCESS
IS A
GUIDING PRINCIPLE
By early 2004 discover that you have raised half a million dollars in the first year and turn a DC-focused Catalogue into a DC-region Catalogue.
By 2005, break the $1M mark in funds raised in a single year. By 2006, seek and gain 501(c)(3) status and become an independent public charity (no longer one foundation’s experiment; the experiment has proven itself).
Four years later, teach the first capacity-building workshop, “The Art of the Thank You.” By 2010 see the review team grow to 100 strong and the Catalogue raise close to $3M annually for its nonprofit partners.
Celebrate the 10th anniversary in 2012; 100+ individuals and 20 corporations support the Catalogue; over $18M raised to date; professional development for partners takes early steps.
In 2017, launch the Learning Commons; develop a rich curriculum of courses in development and stewardship, marketing and communications, board management; by 2019 train over 2,000 nonprofit staff in 90 free sessions.
When the pandemic hits, create a Special Issue to address it and raise $7M – over $1M on GivingTuesday alone. By 2021, conduct 6 “leadership cohorts,” including the first BIPOC cohort, in 88 sessions supporting 120+ nonprofit leaders; over 6,000 individuals attend 227 professional development sessions.
As the 20th anniversary arrives, the Catalogue has raised over $55M for its nonprofit partners, and provided professional development for 25,000+ participants. What a journey.