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.
Helen from Ardent Solutions listed a Meeting Facilitation Coaching project.
Interfaith Caregivers received an application from Tanya for an Organizational Executive Summary project.
Erie County Restorative Justice Coalition received an application from Ellen for a Communications consultation call.
Geoffrey matched with Cheri from Compeer West for a Logo Design project!
Amber matched with Edie from The Service Collaborative of WNY, Inc. for a Website consultation call!
Antonio from Erie County Restorative Justice Coalition listed a Communications consultation call.
Thanh matched with Shannon from Empire Justice Center for a Tech Systems consultation call!
Alexia matched with Olivia from Champions of Change for a Social Media consultation call!
Lt. Col. Matt Urban Human Services Center received an application from Anny for a Flyer Graphic Design project.
Bridges from Borders received an application from John for a Logo Design & Visual Brand Identity project.
Beth from Western New York Foundation listed a Communications consultation call.
Champions of Change received an application from S M Serajul for a Photo Editing project.
Bridges from Borders received an application from Mary Angeline for a Logo Design & Visual Brand Identity project.
Bridges from Borders received an application from Kateryna for a Logo Design & Visual Brand Identity project.
Yan from Bridges from Borders listed a Logo Design & Visual Brand Identity project.
Bridges from Borders received an application from Victoria for an Elevator Pitch Coaching project.
Lt. Col. Matt Urban Human Services Center received an application from Lisa for a Flyer Graphic Design project.
Champions of Change received an application from Brian for a Photo Editing project.
Compeer West received an application from Vincent for a Marketing Channel Plan project.
Zoe matched with Nicole from WNY Women's Foundation for a Volunteer Manual project!
Compeer West received an application from Ismael Antonio for a Marketing Channel Plan project.
Roy matched with Jennifer from Chautauqua Striders for a Visual Branding consultation call!
Amanda from Compeer West listed a Marketing Channel Plan project.
Compeer West received an application from Nathan for a Marketing Channel Plan project.
Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation received an application from Justin for an Excel Dashboard Creation project.
Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation received an application from Jennifer for an Excel Dashboard Creation project.
Dreamerscorp Inc received an application from Judith for a Partnership Proposal Presentation project.
Champions of Change received an application from Sarah for a Photo Editing project.
Massachusetts Avenue Project received an application from Otilia for an Organizational One-Pager project.
Dreamerscorp Inc received an application from Ella for a Partnership Proposal Presentation project.
Jojo matched with Louise from JustCause for a Website consultation call!
Kavya matched with Annie from James Prendergast Library for a Compensation Plan project!
REBECCA matched with Jaylene from Habitat for Humanity of Genesee County, NY for a Social Media consultation call!
Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation received an application from Rohit for an Excel Dashboard Creation project.
Lt. Col. Matt Urban Human Services Center received an application from Gabriel for a Flyer Graphic Design project.
Louise from JustCause listed a Website Major Update project.
Ben from Lt. Col. Matt Urban Human Services Center listed a Flyer Graphic Design project.
Massachusetts Avenue Project received an application from Lisa for an Organizational One-Pager project.
Jennifer matched with Wendy from Erie Niagara AHEC for an Event Management consultation call!
Amy matched with Jordan from Southern Tier Health Care System, Inc. for a Marketing Strategy consultation call!
Tricia from Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation listed an Excel Dashboard Creation project.
Lockport Ice Arena and Sports Center, Inc. received an application from Alexandro for a Website Major Update project.
Corinne matched with Jordan from Southern Tier Health Care System, Inc. for a Marketing Strategy consultation call!
Boran matched with Sandra from Lifelong for a Marketing Materials consultation call!
Massachusetts Avenue Project received an application from Saoirse for an Organizational One-Pager project.
Victoria matched with Elizabeth from CASA of Rochester/Monroe County for a Translation project!
Adelly matched with Mary from West Side Community Services for a Translation project!
Love Living at Home received an application from Shahzaib for a Logo Design project.
Joana J. matched with Mary from West Side Community Services for a Translation project!
Sarah matched with Donna from Southern Tier Health Care System, Inc. for a Microsoft Teams Set-Up & Training 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 Geoffrey F. helped Compeer West
How Amber R. helped The Service Collaborative of WNY, Inc.
How Zoe S. helped WNY Women's Foundation
How John G. helped BRAVE (Buffalo Rising Against Violence at...
How Kavya L. helped James Prendergast Library
How Victoria E. helped CASA of Rochester/Monroe County
How Sarah C. helped Southern Tier Health Care System, Inc.
How Kayla E. helped Lockport Ice Arena and Sports Center, Inc.
How Andy B. helped Massachusetts Avenue Project
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
