Funding Nonprofit People & Possibility: Inside the Durfee Foundation

In this episode, you'll get valuable insights from the CEO of one of the few foundations in the US focused on nonprofit people, not nonprofit programs. Our guest is Maria Cabildo, CEO of The Durfee Foundation. Durfee funds “people and possibilities in Los Angeles county.” Maria served as President and CEO of the East LA Community Corporation for 16 years, where she was the recipient of multiple forms of Durfee support. She has also worked in government and other philanthropic organizations.We discuss Durfee’s interlocking funding programs: their signature sabbatical award for nonprofit leaders; the Stanton Fellowship (an R&D opportunity to advance new ideas); Springboard (catalytic support for emerging organizations); and the Lark Awards (collective care and renewal for staff at community-based organizations).Maria also shares insights on why funders should recognize the genius and ingenuity in community-developed solutions to problems; staying grounded in the realities and relationships of grassroots communities as we become powerful professionals; and leading during crisis, and how funders can respond to crises by remaining consistent and stable, while being responsive and stepping-up support for nonprofits.Guest Bio:Maria Cabildo (she/her) is a lifelong Angelena. Born and raised in East Los Angeles. She has a long career in public service. She has held positions in the philanthropic, nonprofit, private, and government sectors, including co-founder and CEO of the East LA Community Corporation (ELACC) from 1999 – 2015. She received both a Durfee Foundation Sabbatical and Stanton fellowship while CEO of ELACC. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Columbia University, a master’s degree in Urban Planning from UCLA’s Luskin School of Public Affairs, and a Certificate in Advanced Environmental Studies from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design. She lives in Eagle Rock with her two adult children and their cats, Milk & Andaluza.Relevant Episodes:Thriving Wages for Community OrganizersNonprofit Staff Resilience and Well-Being in Turbulent TimesBreaking the Silence: Making Leadership Transitions Safe for NonprofitsResources Discussed:The Durfee FoundationSabbatical Program (Related: Creative Disruption Report on funding nonprofit sabbaticals)Stanton Fellowship (Related: What If: Insights from a Decade of Philanthropic R&D)Springboard FundLark AwardsOther organizations discussed:East L.A. Community CorporationNonprofit Sustainability InitiativeTrust-Based Philanthropy Project