Most Recent Impact Story

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A nonprofit early childhood program navigating a leadership transition, enrollment instability, governance challenges, limited fundraising capacity, and operational and administrative needs requiring immediate attention.

Catalina Kid Ventures (CKV) is a nonprofit early childhood program serving children ages 18 months through first-grade entry on Santa Catalina Island. Licensed through the California Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Division, the program operates under California Title 22 regulations and serves as an important resource for local children and families.

Located in Avalon, California, CKV serves a small and geographically isolated community of approximately 3,400 residents. Based on local demographic analysis, the estimated market for children ages 18 months through 5 years was approximately 130–160 children, making enrollment management, family engagement, community partnerships, and long-term sustainability especially important.

SLM & Co. provided hands-on executive and operational leadership while conducting a comprehensive organizational assessment of enrollment, center operations, staffing and leadership systems, licensing and compliance, fundraising capacity, governance practices, family and community engagement, communications, and long-term sustainability.

Key priorities included stabilizing center operations, increasing enrollment, strengthening the family experience, supporting staff, maintaining strong licensing and compliance systems, strengthening governance and accountability, expanding fundraising capacity, modernizing communications, and building sustainable systems for continued growth.

• Center operations and executive leadership
• Enrollment growth and family engagement
• Staff coaching and development
• Licensing and Title 22 compliance
• Community outreach and partnerships
• Marketing and digital communications
• Fundraising and donor engagement
• Board governance and organizational systems

• Increased enrollment by more than 150%
• Raised just under $40,000 through fundraising, donations, grants, and community partnerships
• Achieved a deficiency-free Community Care Licensing review
• Strengthened center operations, administrative systems, and organizational accountability to support long-term stability and growth
• Supported staff development and strengthened the systems and leadership practices behind daily program operations
• Expanded family and community engagement through partnerships, events, outreach, and recurring programming
• Developed and launched the organization's website and digital communications platforms, attracting 3,913 website visitors within the first year
• Generated 209,543 Facebook content views within 10 months, with 89.5% coming from non-followers, significantly expanding organizational visibility beyond its existing audience
• Implemented fundraising and donor engagement initiatives and developed a strategic fundraising roadmap to support future revenue growth and sustainability
• Created and established a Fundraising Committee to strengthen donor engagement, community involvement, and long-term fundraising capacity
• Strengthened Board governance through regular meetings, monthly Director reporting, defined leadership roles, term guidelines, recruitment procedures, and election processes
• Conducted a comprehensive organizational assessment and addressed outstanding corporate, governance, regulatory, and administrative matters while implementing systems to support long-term organizational stability
• Launched recurring Friday Field Trips, connecting children and families with local businesses, nonprofits, first responders, environmental organizations, and community leaders
• Expanded community partnerships and public awareness throughout Avalon and Catalina Island
• Originated “Cart Wash for a Cause,” engaging children, families, and local businesses in a community fundraising initiative later embraced by Avalon Rotary Club