CLU Center For Nonprofit Leadership Raises $1.5 Million

CENTER FOR NONPROFIT LEADERSHIP RAISES $1.5 MILLION FOR NONPROFIT TRAINING ON THE CENTRAL COAST

The Center for Nonprofit Leadership at California Lutheran University successfully raised more than $1.5 million, reaching that goal in one year with the largest single donation in the organization’s more than 30-year history.

The TOLD Foundation of Camarillo donated the $1 million gift that led off CNL’s Campaign for the Future to create an endowment to insure CNL will continue to offer professional training valued by thousands of nonprofit staff and volunteers.

“We are thrilled the Center for Nonprofit Leadership reached its goal in the Campaign for the Future,” said Rod Gilbert, TOLD Foundation president. “This is a remarkable achievement during challenging economic times. The foundation applauds all who worked toward the campaign’s success, and we thank the generous donors who also contributed.”

In addition to the TOLD Foundation, some four dozen Central Coast philanthropists gave to the campaign, led by co-chairs Kate McLean and Sally Yount. A full roster of donors can be found at callutheran.edu/cnl/sponsors/.

“When I started the Center in 1991, I was hopeful it would increase the operational effectiveness of our region’s nonprofits in meeting our community’s needs,” said McLean, who serves as CNL’s Advisory Committee chair and is a former president of the Ventura County Community Foundation. “Sally and I are honored the community values our efforts over the past three decades and made this campaign a success.” 

This new capital will expand the Center’s prestigious board governance programs in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. It also will provide a host of professional development opportunities, such as networking events and open office hours.

“This endowment will enable CNL to develop programs that meet evolving needs and ensure a stable future for the Center,” said Yount, a philanthropist and outspoken advocate for nonprofit training who has been involved with CNL since 2000.  

In 2023 the Center served 445 nonprofits and trained over 3,000 who attended its workshops in such topics as fundraising, accounting and strategic planning. Known as an innovator of curriculum, CNL’s signature programs are its Board Leadership Institute and Board Service Bootcamp, a partnership with Amgen to place the company’s leaders on nonprofit boards across the Central Coast.

“The Center for Nonprofit Leadership has become an indispensable resource for hundreds of organizations in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties,” said Geoff Green, CEO of CalNonprofits. “I have the privilege of serving as a donor and Advisory Board member as part of my personal commitment to building the strength of our region’s nonprofit sector.”

The campaign’s successful culmination was announced Nov. 28 to 200 nonprofit and civic leaders at CNL’s annual Celebration of the Sector at the Museum of Ventura County. To learn more about CNL’s humble roots and its community impact to date, see the attached timeline. For information on upcoming programs go to callutheran.edu/centers/nonprofit/