Most Recent Impact Story

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The Opportunity:

A nonprofit early childhood program facing a leadership transition, unstable enrollment, governance challenges, limited fundraising capacity, operational instability, and outstanding compliance, governance, and administrative requirements requiring immediate attention.

Catalina Kid Ventures (CKV) is a nonprofit preschool 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 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, community engagement, and long-term sustainability critical to organizational success.

As a federally recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, CKV is subject to corporate, governance, regulatory, and reporting requirements necessary to maintain good standing and support effective operations. Upon engagement, SLM & Co. conducted a comprehensive organizational assessment to evaluate enrollment trends, operational systems, fundraising capacity, governance practices, compliance requirements, community engagement efforts, and long-term sustainability needs.

Key priorities included stabilizing operations, restoring compliance, strengthening governance and accountability, increasing enrollment, expanding fundraising capacity, modernizing communications, and building sustainable systems for long-term organizational success.

Our Approach:

• Executive leadership 
• Board governance consulting 
• Enrollment growth strategies 
• Fundraising and donor engagement 
• Community outreach 
• Licensing and compliance systems 
• Staff development 

Results:

• Achieved 100% Enrollment Growth 
• Enrolled all children on the existing waitlist and established a new waiting list 
• Implemented key fundraising and donor engagement initiatives while creating a strategic fundraising roadmap to guide future revenue growth and organizational sustainability
• Raised $38,000+ through fundraising, donations, grants, and community partnerships 
• Developed and launched the organization's website and digital communications platforms
• Generated 3,913 website visitors during the first few months of launch
• Generated 209,543 Facebook content views within the first 10 months 
• Expanded organizational visibility beyond existing audiences, with 89.5% of social media engagement originating from non-followers 
• Launched a recurring community engagement initiative (Friday Field Trips) connecting children with local businesses, nonprofits, first responders, environmental organizations, and community leaders 
• Maintained a State of California, Department of Social Services, Deficiency-Free Licensing Review 
• Implemented regular Board of Directors meetings and monthly Director reporting practices to strengthen governance, transparency, and organizational accountability 
• Developed a governance framework including board member job descriptions, officer responsibilities, term guidelines, recruitment procedures, and election processes 
• Conducted a comprehensive organizational assessment, resolving outstanding corporate, regulatory, governance, and administrative matters while implementing systems to support long-term organizational stability and sustainability
• Created and established a Fundraising Committee to strengthen donor engagement, community involvement, and long-term fundraising capacity
• Expanded community partnerships and public awareness throughout the Avalon and Catalina Island community
• Originated the "Cart Wash for a Cause" community fundraising initiative, engaging children, families and local businesses while creating a model subsequently embraced by another Catalina island nonprofit