Empowering organizations to meet their capacity needs.
Leverage talented volunteers to drive your mission
Connect With Talented and Engaged Professionals
This program connects you with talented professionals looking to give back, allowing you to access expertise in areas such as marketing, web development, operations, strategy, and more.
Catchafire's menu of 150+ pre-scoped projects, each with specific deliverables and project steps, makes it easy to find what you need and match with a volunteer with the right skills for the job. And if you aren't sure where to begin, start by talking to a volunteer to get advice and explore ideas.
Infinity Visual & Performing Arts received an application from Muhammad Salman for a Google Ads Set Up project.
Black Love Resists in the Rust received an application from Ezekiel for a Flexible Graphic Design Support project.
The Hub585, Inc received an application from Iris for an Illustration project.
Pappy Martin Legacy Jazz Collective received an application from Casey for a Brochure Graphic Design project.
The Hub585, Inc received an application from Bhavesh for a Program Strategy & Goals project.
Parkway Center received an application from Ujesh for a Google Analytics Set Up & Training project.
Alexander matched with Malcolm from Empire Justice Center for a Video Editing project!
Lara from The Hub585, Inc listed a Program Strategy & Goals project.
Lara from The Hub585, Inc listed an Illustration project.
Pappy Martin Legacy Jazz Collective received an application from Mohammad Sanjidur for a Brochure Graphic Design project.
The Hub585, Inc received an application from Explicit for an Illustration project.
Pappy Martin Legacy Jazz Collective received an application from John for a Brochure Graphic Design project.
Pappy Martin Legacy Jazz Collective received an application from Dia for a Brochure Graphic Design project.
The Hub585, Inc received an application from Ken for an Illustration project.
Parkway Center received an application from Sanjana for a Google Analytics Set Up & Training project.
Dorothy from The Hub585, Inc listed a Program Strategy & Goals project.
WNY Rural Area Health Education Center Inc received an application from Anbu for a Website Set Up (CMS-Based) project.
Parkway Center received an application from Ntinyari for a Google Analytics Set Up & Training project.
WNY Rural Area Health Education Center Inc received an application from Shen for a Website Set Up (CMS-Based) project.
The Hub585, Inc received an application from M Asif for a Management Skills Coaching project.
Black Love Resists in the Rust received an application from Kylie for a Thank You Letter project.
The Hub585, Inc received an application from Maggie for a Flexible Program Strategy Support project.
Infinity Visual & Performing Arts received an application from VINCENT for a Google Ads Set Up project.
The Hub585, Inc received an application from Mahima for a Management Skills Coaching project.
WNY Rural Area Health Education Center Inc received an application from Dylan for a Website Set Up (CMS-Based) project.
Infinity Visual & Performing Arts received an application from Isa for a Google Ads Set Up project.
Melanie from WNY Rural Area Health Education Center Inc listed a Website Set Up (CMS-Based) project.
Parkway Center received an application from Muchunguzi for a Flexible Marketing Strategy Support project.
The Healing Station Agency received an application from Iqra for a Finance consultation call.
The Healing Station Agency received an application from Noel for a Finance consultation call.
The Healing Station Agency received an application from Rebecca for a Finance consultation call.
Mary from The Healing Station Agency listed a Finance consultation call.
Dorothy from The Hub585, Inc listed an Organizational Strategy consultation call.
Dorothy from The Hub585, Inc listed a Flexible Program Strategy Support project.
Dorothy from The Hub585, Inc listed a Management Skills Coaching project.
Dawn from Pappy Martin Legacy Jazz Collective listed a Brochure Graphic Design project.
The Healing Station Agency received an application from Afia for a Finance consultation call.
Pappy Martin Legacy Jazz Collective received an application from Sibgha for a Brochure Graphic Design project.
Pappy Martin Legacy Jazz Collective received an application from NINA for a Brochure Graphic Design project.
Black Love Resists in the Rust received an application from Ye for a Flexible Graphic Design Support project.
Parkway Center received an application from Changchang for a Google Analytics Set Up & Training project.
Sara from Parkway Center listed a Google Analytics Set Up & Training project.
Parkway Center received an application from Victor for a Google Analytics Set Up & Training project.
Buffalo String Works received an application from Oluwaseyi for a Brand Messaging consultation call.
Davon matched with Dorothy from The Hub585, Inc for an Organizational Strategy consultation call!
Buffalo String Works received an application from Hannah for a Brand Messaging consultation call.
Afia matched with Simone from WNY STEM Hub for a Finance consultation call!
Jan matched with Simone from WNY STEM Hub for a Finance consultation call!
Buffalo String Works received an application from Melvin for a Brand Messaging consultation call.
Stephanie from Infinity Visual & Performing Arts listed a Google Ads Set Up project.
How It Works
1. Explore Available Projects
Browse through over 150 pre-scoped projects and post your own.2. Find Your Pro Bono Professional
Review applications from interested professionals and choose who you want to work with.3. Get The Help You Need
Kick off your project and start making progress.Two ways to connect!
Consultation Calls
Projects
What Do You Need Help With?
Select from 150+ pre-scoped projects or post a consultation call to get started.
Great Connections Are Made Here
How Alexander M. helped Empire Justice Center
How Davon W. helped The Hub585, Inc
How Maham K. helped Orleans United Way
How Kathleen D. helped Erie Niagara AHEC
How Dave W. helped Blue Print Geneva
How Tiziana N. helped Bridges from Borders
How David D. helped James Prendergast Library
How Brittany C. helped Food for the Spirit
How Tanya Q. helped Interfaith Caregivers
ABOUT THE VOLUNTEERS
Work With Talented Professionals From Around the World
Finding the right match is important. Each of the 150+ pre-scoped projects contains prerequisite skills and experience, core deliverables, and time estimates, so volunteers know exactly what is required when they apply to work with you.
The rigorous application process, which includes work experience, portfolios, and statements of interest, limits applicants to those who are serious about working with you. It's not a one-click application, and it shouldn't be.
You can review up to three applications at a time, and interview candidates before deciding. The decision is yours.
What Other Organizations are Saying
Frequently Asked Questions
New around here? Start with the basics.
Catchafire is an online platform for virtual, skills-based volunteering. Through Catchafire, professionals are able to directly support causes they care about by helping nonprofits with projects that match their skill sets. And because projects can be completed from anywhere, Catchafire makes it possible for organizations and skilled volunteers to connect for good, from all around the world!
Skills-based volunteering is a high impact form of volunteering that allows an individual to donate his or her professional skills and expertise, which in turn allows a nonprofit to build its capacity and focus more efficiently on its mission.
Skilled volunteers help nonprofits fill critical knowledge and staffing gaps, they work as thought partners on strategic projects, and they complete specific projects that require specialized skills, training, or experience. Very often, the relationships between volunteers and nonprofits extend far beyond the scope of the initial project that brought them together.
A specific example of skills-based volunteering is a marketing professional who volunteers to help a nonprofit create a marketing strategy.
We are partnering with Catchafire to provide grantees with access to virtual, skilled volunteers. We believe that by providing this valuable resource for capacity building and strategic project work, we can help our grantees amplify and accelerate the impact they have on the communities and beneficiaries they serve.
No. Your access to Catchafire is sponsored through this program, so it’s completely free for your organization.
In order to participate, you must first register your organization and then post your first project or consultation call. Get started by visiting the Project Menu to browse through over 150+ detailed project types.
You can work on an unlimited number of projects and calls throughout your membership. Once you finish a project, just make sure to mark it “complete”.
Your posted projects are visible to Catchafire’s entire skills-based volunteer community of 40,000+ talented professionals on the platform, and millions more via Catchafire's partnership with LinkedIn. Those who are interested in your organization’s cause area and who have the skills required for your project will be able to apply.
Skills-based volunteers may apply to your projects from all across the country and around the world. We encourage you to engage with virtual skills-based volunteers. If you prefer to work with somebody local, please expect it to take longer than normal to receive applications from a professional in the area.
On average, projects are matched within two weeks. If you are not seeing the response you hoped for, please reach out to [email protected], and one of Catchafire's Nonprofit Advisors will get in touch with you.
After the interview, you can log into your account dashboard and ACCEPT or PASS on the match. Once both parties accept, you are officially matched and can begin the project! If you need to exchange any materials or have follow-up conversations to determine if it is a good fit after the interview, you are encouraged to do so.
Absolutely! Schedule a call, or email your questions to [email protected] and one of Catchafire’s Nonprofit Advisors will be in touch within 24 business hours.
About this Program
The Nonprofit Support Group (NSG) was founded on the principle that a group of funders can accomplish more together than any one funder can working alone. The power of this group lies in the scope and scale of work, covering the 8 counties of Western of New York and Monroe County. Serving as a connector, partner, resource and convener of nonprofits across the sector, we are dedicated to creating a thriving nonprofit ecosystem that promotes accessibility and equity for organization and the people they serve. Comprised of the Health Foundation for Western & Central New York, the John R. Oishei Foundation, Peter & Elizabeth Tower Foundation, Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation, the Western New York Foundation, ESL Charitable Foundation and 1.5 staff members, the work of the NSG is inspired and informed by the community.
NSG has spent much of the last few years listening and learning from nonprofit leaders in the region about the strengths and gaps in resources for the sector. The need for increased access to professional volunteers was raised. In an effort to meet that need, NSG, in partnership with the funders listed below, are excited to bring Catchafire to our region and beyond. Catchafire is an online tool that connects social good organizations with talented professionals looking to donate their skills. This resource provides organizations with expert support in areas like marketing and communications, web design, operations, strategy and more. Through the connection to skills-based volunteers, NSG and their partners maximize the impact organizations are able to make on the communities they serve.
Learn more here about Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, ESL Charitable Foundation, the Health Foundation for Western & Central New York, Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation, John R. Oishei Foundation, Ralph C. Sheldon Foundation, Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, United Way of Southern Chautauqua County, The Western New York Foundation, and Nonprofit Support Group.
Get Started Photo: Keir Johnston and Ernel Martinez's Welcome Wall, 2017, at 751 Fillmore Avenue, Buffalo, NY
Have more questions? Drop us a line.
Email the Catchafire team at [email protected], or schedule a Catchafire introduction call to learn more about how your organization can build capacity with help from skilled pro bono professionals
