Prepared for: City Council, City of Stockton
Date of Presentation: October 14, 2025
Prepared by: United Way of San Joaquin County
Executive Summary: Cohort Three & Alumni Impact Report
Nonprofit Capacity Building Program (NCBP), United Way of San Joaquin County Program Background
Launched in 2023, the Nonprofit Capacity Building Program (NCBP) was created in partnership with the City of Stockton as a direct response to critical needs highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic. The crisis underscored the essential relationship between the City and local nonprofits to meet resident needs, demonstrating that community resilience depends on strong collaboration and nonprofit capacity. NCBP was designed to address widespread challenges among Stockton and San Joaquin County nonprofits, including unstable funding, high turnover, limited community representation, and dissatisfaction with organizational stability. Since launch, more than 50 nonprofits have graduated from the program across all three cohorts. Program activities are centered on four pillars: Governance, Branding & Engagement, Revenue Structure, and Operational Infrastructure, delivered through bi-monthly expert- led group sessions and targeted resources. The program runs for nine months and features eight in-person sessions.
Key Participant Profile & Reach
Cohort Three was intentionally composed of organizations representing a wide range of service communities, operational capacities, and programmatic strengths. This diversity ensured a comprehensive perspective on both the challenges and opportunities facing Stockton and San Joaquin County’s nonprofit ecosystem.
13 nonprofits participated in Cohort Three
Cohort Three included mature organizations, median FTE of 10 46% operated at over $1M annual revenue—highest of any cohort Diverse service populations: LGBTQIA+, seniors, crime victims, formerly incarcerated, disabled, health-compromised, families in poverty, BIPOC, homeless, at-risk youth, and low-income residents These characteristics reflect the program’s broad and vital reach in serving the region’s most vulnerable and diverse populations.
Core Needs Identified
A thorough needs assessment revealed several persistent challenges as participating nonprofits began the program. These needs informed NCBP’s curriculum and support strategies:
79% needed stable, diversified funding sources
68% sought stronger infrastructure and board development 64% aimed for program expansion support
41% prioritized deeper community engagement
These findings highlight enduring barriers to long-term growth and underline the necessity for tailored capacity-building. The NCBP approach ensured these needs were addressed directly and effectively.
Major Outcomes by Pillar
The NCBP’s multi-pillar approach resulted in meaningful progress across all areas critical to organizational effectiveness and sustainability.
Governance
Organizations enhanced leadership and accountability through robust board practices:
79% clarified board roles and responsibilities
66% improved board meetings and communication
61% enhanced fiscal stewardship and compliance
Nearly 50% initiated succession planning and strategic recruitment Governance was the most valued pillar, strengthening accountability and leadership foundations These improvements established strong foundations for leadership and long-term growth.
UNITED WAY OF SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY
777 N Pershing Ave, Suite 2B
Stockton CA 95203
unitedwaysjc.org
Nonprofit Capacity Building Program – Cohort Three & Alumni Executive Summary | United Way of San Joaquin County | October 2025 Page 1 of 2
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Branding & Community Engagement
Nonprofits made substantial strides in visibility and stakeholder engagement:
91% reported significant improvement in branding and engagement 71% upgraded websites and brand assets
84% expanded communication methods and outreach
Highest gains to date in public recognition through improved messaging Effective branding and outreach built trust, recognition, and active community support.
Revenue Structure
Sustainable funding strategies enabled greater confidence and mission delivery:
85% increased understanding of funding diversity
73% identified new revenue streams and partners
64% improved financial planning and budgeting
Over 50% launched new fundraising strategies
49% rated grant writing/reporting most valuable
Cohort members saw lasting improvements in financial independence and capacity to pursue organizational goals.
Operational Infrastructure
Focus on efficient operations to position organizations for future adaptability:
79% improved operational efficiency
74% enhanced data management and collection
68% revised and clarified standard operating procedures 65% made significant advances in technology adoption
Stronger HR practices increased mission focus
Alumni Impact & Sustainability
The transformational benefits of NCBP continued beyond program completion, with alumni sustaining improvements throughout their organizations:
93% of alumni actively apply NCBP program lessons
Content rated highly useful: 4.75/5
91% now lead organizations more strategically
83% observe a culture of learning and adaptability
68% diversified income streams
64% increased their overall budgets
Alumni Net Promoter Score: 9.6/10—very high recommendation and satisfaction Ongoing commitment to best practices and peer learning drives an enduring culture of excellence in the region’s nonprofit sector.
Recommendations & Future Impact
Looking ahead, the launch of Cohort 4 in January 2026 will provide new opportunities to deepen NCBP’s impact. Priorities for the next phase include:
Strengthening board leadership, financial resilience, data fluency, and continued alumni engagement Expanding partnerships and networks to amplify positive outcomes Investing in measurement, storytelling, and innovation across the sector With over 50 graduates and a record of sustained results, NCBP stands as the regional framework for nonprofit resilience and sector advancement in Stockton and San Joaquin County. Continued commitment to the program will ensure that future cohorts are equipped to meet evolving needs and drive community-wide impact.
Nonprofit Capacity Building Program – Cohort Three & Alumni Executive Summary | United Way of San Joaquin County | October 2025 Page 2 of 2
UNITED WAY OF SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY
777 N Pershing Ave, Suite 2B
Stockton CA 95203
unitedwaysjc.org
ATTACHMENT A