If you are a nonprofit founder, you know that running a nonprofit isn't easy!
Besides the specific legal requirements of running a 501c3, this work requires you to understand how a nonprofit board works, how to fundraise for your nonprofit, stay in compliance, and how to market your work, among SO MANY other things. That can be overwhelming.
After many years of working with nonprofits at different stages, we've designed the Nonprofit Incubator Program to teach founders how to run scalable nonprofits that make a difference. During the eight weeks of the program, our team will guide you step-by-step through the process of growing an organization, navigating the world of nonprofits, and securing the funds you need to realize your mission.
We partner with Givebutter to provide 20 nonprofit organizations with the tools and resources they need to grow. Thanks to Givebutter, selected organizations will receive a full scholarship to participate in the program and the opportunity to apply for up to $4,000 in grant funds after completion of the incubator.
Our program includes:
Eight (8) live workshops on nonprofit management, including one workshop from our partner, Givebutter, to help with attracting and engaging individual donors on their platform.
Review of your fundraising campaign by the Givebutter team.
Access to our Fundraising Challenge and the opportunity to receive matching funds from Mockingbird Nonprofit Incubator.
Lifetime discounted access to all our additional events in nonprofit management and development.
Recordings and extra resources are available on our Teachable digital learning platform.
Access to our network of expert nonprofit professionals and founders and our growing incubator cohort alumni group.
One of our participants will have the opportunity to win our $3,000 seed grant after completing the program.
2025 Program Dates
The Spring 2025 Mockingbird Nonprofit Incubator Program will run from March 7 - April 25, 2025. Stay tuned for more information about our Fall 2025 program.
Our cohort meets on Fridays from 10 AM to 12 PM (PST) // 1 PM to 3 PM (EST). Additional office hour sessions will be available for participants. We reserve the right to change the order and dates of the workshops. The program topics include:
Strategic Planning for Founders
Goal Definition for Nonprofits
Board Development and Engagement
Creating a Successful Fundraising Plan
How to Engage Individual Donors
Marketing and Branding
Program Design and Evaluation
Including Equity in Your Day-To-Day Operations.
Price: 20 selected organizations will receive a full scholarship to participate in the program, thanks to our partner givebutter. To be considered, you need to have a Givebutter account. Use this link to create an account.
Meet Our Past Cohort Participants
Program Facilitators
Jessica Payne
Founder, Director of Research & Project Management
Jessica Payne is the founder and owner of Mockingbird Analytics, a community and non-profit research and evaluation company, which she comes to with a decade of research and evaluation project management experience in government, community and academic settings. She is also the co-founder of Mockingbird Incubator a nonprofit that provides incubation services to new and emerging nonprofits. Prior to founding Mockingbird, Jessica was the Research and Evaluation Manager for CASA of Los Angeles, where she managed large scale data system conversion projects with more than 500+ users, as well as all original research and strategic planning.
Victoria Palacio Carr
Mockingbird Incubator board member and Deputy Director of State Strategy at the Legal Action Center (LAC)
Victoria is a dedicated nonprofit leader, project manager, and strategist committed to advancing social justice and racial equity. As the Deputy Director of State Strategy at the Legal Action Center (LAC), Victoria leads the No Health = No Justice Initiative, collaborating with nonprofit leaders nationwide to drive health and justice policy reforms. Beyond her role at LAC, Victoria is the founder of VP Carr Consulting, where she supports small nonprofits in strengthening their brand, enhancing communications, and expanding their social media presence. Victoria also facilitates visioning and goal-setting sessions, helping organizations clarify their goals and create actionable plans for success. Victoria holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from California State University, Long Beach, and a Master of Public Policy from American University. She is also a Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM). Originally from Los Angeles, California.
CLAUDIA p. sEGURA
Customer Education Manager at Givebutter
Claudia fuels fundraising success for nonprofits at Givebutter, your all-in-one fundraising platform. Leveraging a diverse background that spans program management, editorial work, and research, Claudia brings over 5 years of experience to the table. Previously, Claudia empowered families of color through educational opportunities, supported academic research and distribution, and advocated for the economic equity of new migrants. Now, at Givebutter, her passion translates into crafting engaging strategies to help nonprofits of different missions and sizes thrive.
PAMELA Gutierrez
Founder, coo
Pamela joined the Mockingbird Analytics team in 2018, bringing with her a wealth of experience in finance and a passion for social impact. Before Mockingbird, she worked for over seven years in the financial sector in Colombia, specializing in Risk Management, Strategy Evaluation, and Portfolio Administration. Driven by a desire to apply her financial expertise to the social sector, Pamela moved to Los Angeles in 2017 to pursue a Master of Science in Social Entrepreneurship from the University of Southern California. This transition allowed her to blend her quantitative evaluation and financial analysis skills with her dedication to social change. As Chief Operating Officer at Mockingbird Analytics, Pamela supports the development of the organization and its clients by creating systems that enable nonprofits to grow.
RACHEL FRANCAVILLO
cfo
Rachel has a professional background in the performing arts. She earned her B.A. from New York University’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study, where she designed her own unique plan of study and concentration, exploring storytelling as a community and peace-building activity and educational process, as well as the relationship between art and rhetoric. Her lifelong passion for the arts, culture, and education inspired her to pursue her M.S in Arts Administration from Drexel University’s Westphal College of Media Arts and Design, which she will complete in 2022. She is excited to lend her strengths in organization, communication, and creativity to manage systems with efficiency. In her free time, she can be found at any live music event, on the beach reading a fantasy novel, or on a mountain camping across the country with her partner, Paul, and their dog, Johnny.
Marisa Turesky
mOCKINGBIRD ANALYTICS’ Director of Research and Evaluation
Marisa (she/they) is a community-based researcher and educator focused on advancing urban policies through racial and gender equity. She examines how identity and emotions shape people’s access to places and services across the lifespan. Marisa uses trauma-informed evaluation, community-based participatory action research, and qualitative methodologies to integrate social movement practices into urban planning. Her research has been published in top urban planning journals. Marisa has worked with the Equity Research Institute, the ONE Gay & Lesbian National Archive, the American Planning Association, LA Freewaves, LAANE, and the Restorative Justice Institute of Maine. Marisa is a Visiting Professor in Urban Planning and Real Estate Law at UC Berkeley. She holds a PhD in Urban Planning & Development from the University of Southern California and a Masters of City and Regional Planning from Cornell University. She enjoys biking with her wife and puppy, especially when the ride ends with french fries.
“The Mockingbird Incubator program was a game-changer for me. The intensive workshops covered everything, i.e., fundraising, compliance, board development, programing, and evaluation, etc. Their team generously shared their knowledge, provided valuable feedback, and helped me refine our strategy.”
LOOKING FOR training you can do at your own speed?
Start slow with our on-demand Nonprofit Management School program. Choose from a variety of recorded trainings, workshops, and checklists to get the ball rolling in your nonprofit.
Our Incubator Alumni
Meet and support our Fall 2023 Cohort here >>
FAQS
Q: WHEN AND WHERE?
A: Our next online program will begin in Spring 2025. This online program, takes place every week for eight (8) weeks on Fridays from 10 AM (PST) - 1 PM (EST). Find more details on our application.
Q: how do I know if the incubator program is right for me?
A: This program is perfect for you if you are:
A 501c3 nonprofit organization or under fiscal sponsorship incorporated and operating in the United States.
An activist, grassroots organizer, founder, and social justice innovator new to the nonprofit sector.
Eager to learn how to run your nonprofit because you are passionate about a cause but not sure about the administrative details.
Willing to put in the work, attend the live workshops, and complete the assignments.
Ready and committed to growing an organization and your nonprofit leadership skills.
This program is NOT for you if:
You want an easy way to start a nonprofit or don’t have an idea about the kind of work you want to do.
You don’t have the time to attend the live workshops or complete the assignments.
We also do not accept organizations whose mission is not in alignment with social justice and equity values. This includes missionary organizations, religious organizations whose intent is to proselytize, organizations whose intent is further a cause based in anti-science or conspiracy-led beliefs, booster organizations to support the work of governmental institutions, organizations whose sole purpose is “raising awareness”, lobbying, or building out a technology platform, and organizations whose purpose is racist, sexist, xenophobic, anti-science, anti-LGBTQ+, or otherwise discriminatory.
Q: DO I HAVE TO BE located IN LOS ANGELES?
A: Our workshops are 100% online. You do not need to be based in Los Angeles to be part of our program. However, we teach about U.S. nonprofit governance and fundraising practices, so organizations need to be incorporated in the United States.
Q: WHAT IS THE program COMMITMENT?
A: We host virtual live workshops every week for eight weeks. Each of our workshops lasts around 2 hours. The Mockingbird Incubator Program is designed to help you grow your leadership skills and nonprofit vision, so you will get out of the program what you put into it. We will ask you to commit to the following:
Show up to each facilitated workshop and actively participate in the workshop teaching time.
Give program feedback
Come prepared with questions and ideas.
Q: HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
A: $600. We provide scholarships for participants, depending on funding availability.
Q: HOW do I apply for the grant you give out?
A: We offer a $3,000* grant to one participant who completes our Incubator Program. Completing our program is a requirement for applying for and receiving the grant. Our Board of Directors reviews all grant applications and is responsible for selecting the award recipients. We do not offer grants to organizations or individuals who do not participate in our program.
Our board selection criteria prioritizes projects that demonstrate innovation, sustainability, and a well-thought-out plan for making community impact.
*Amount is subject to change based on funding availability.
Q: WHO teaches the PROGRAM?
A: Our staff has more than 40 years of combined direct service and teaching experience helping nonprofit leaders and organizations. We often have special guests from the nonprofit fields who also have many years of experience working with new and established nonprofit organizations.
Q: CAN MY TEAM PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM?
A: Our program membership includes the attendance of 1 member per organization to our workshops. If you want additional team members to participate, the fee per extra member is $200.
Any team member is welcome to participate in our Incubator Program. This program is designed for activists, leaders, and founders. However, board members, co-founders, and employees are welcome as well.
Consistency is the most important part of creating our Incubator community.
Q: DO YOU HAVE MORE QUESTIONS?
A: If you have more questions, contact us. We would love to talk to you!