Napa Valley Nonprofits ... Join Together

By Kathleen Reynolds

In many counties, nonprofit agencies compete for services and funding sources without interagency cooperation. Back in 1995, however, the Napa County Health and Human Services Agency and 14 nonprofit executive directors met to see if they could build consensus, trust and support among the agencies. They called the ensuing organization the Napa Valley Coalition of Health and Human Services Agencies.

“When I came (to Napa) 16 years ago as the executive director of Community Action-Napa Valley, I knew no one, knew none of the nonprofits,” says Drene Johnson, executive director of CAN-V and the Napa Food Bank. “My deputy director suggested going to the Napa Valley Coalition. Kathryn Winter was the Chairperson at that time. I went to a meeting and Kathryn introduced me to a whole lot of executive directors. It was great; everyone was so nice, warm and welcoming. I enjoyed going to the meetings.”

In a paper written in 2016 for the Mack Center in partnership with UC Berkeley’s Social Welfare program, Aaron Crutison wrote about the formation of the original Napa Valley Coalition of Nonprofit Agencies.

In the paper, Crutison wrote, “The coalition identifies its mission as “to strengthen and support its collaborative nonprofit membership in the fulfillment of their health and human services missions in the Napa Valley. They seek to provide a forum that promotes inclusion, fosters professionalism, and encourages a supportive environment thereby strengthening the membership and the health and human services available to Napa Valley residents.”

The demise of that organization happened around 2017, as the group lost focus. When COVID hit, many agencies struggled just to maintain their services in the lockdown era. The Coalition died.

“People who were part of the original Coalition said they missed it,” says Johnson. “For me, it was, “Let’s get the band back together,” and see if we can’t resurrect it. We had two steering committee meetings of a dozen peopleI knew, including two former chairwomen, and we decided we’d give it a shot. If it didn’t work, it didn’t work. Fortunately, it worked. The first main meeting was mid-March.”

“What’s different in the new group is that I think everyone has come in leaving the past behind They have a fresh outlook, and they want this. They missed being a part of it. The new people have really enjoyed being there. The feedback after the first meeting was very, very positive.”

The new Napa Valley Non-profit Coalition goals are simple.

“The mission is strengthening the ability of all Napa nonprofit organizations to successfully accomplish their respective goals by collaborating, dispersing information and raising community awareness,” says Johnson. “We sent out an email about the first meeting and got 28 positive responses. Several others responded that they were pleased with the idea and would attend in the  future. I think at every meeting we’ll have between 30 and 40 people.”

The initial aim is to have quarterly meetings at various sites from Calistoga to American Canyon. Attendees will be nonprofit executive directors and new staff members, representatives from the Federal and California state legislators, the Napa County Health and Human Services Agency Director, Jennifer Yasumoto, along with local funders and businesses that are interested in learning about Napa Valley’s nonprofit organizations.

“Anybody can join. Nonprofits who aren’t social services organizations can get to know other nonprofits and the group can learn about them—who are they, what are they doing? When a nonprofit rep stands and talks about an upcoming event, it’s more memorable than an email. Businesses can come to see what we’re doing. Maybe it will spark their interest in supporting us.”

“Generally, we want to hear from Executive Directors, but they can also bring staff, especially new staff, so they can find out what’s going on in the community and be able to help their clients more.”

What do attendees say about the Coalition?

“In Napa County, our nonprofits thrive because we understand that collective impact begins with shared knowledge,” says Miguel Ángel Castañón, executive director of Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD). The Coalition teaches us a powerful truth—when nonprofits align, our community truly benefits. Napa’s strength is in its united non-profits and knowing each other’s work, we are able to amplify our impact.”

“COAD and particularly our Cultivating Connections project will benefit from the Coalition’s ability to streamline access to community resources, improving our liaison’s efficiency and ability to make Warm Handoffs,” says Castañón. “We also see the Coalition as a key platform to broaden the reach of our disaster and emergency preparedness resources across Napa County. So much has changed since the Coalition was last active, it’s a privilege to be part of this renewed Coalition, reconnecting with past colleagues and meeting new individuals who share our passion for making a difference in Napa County.”

Cassandra Walker is a consultant for the Gasser Foundation, an organization that provides grants to benefit the Napa community. She shares her perspective.

“The Gasser Foundation supports many family service organizations, and the reformation of the Non-profit Coalition provides a forum where nonprofits can come together and share needs of which the philanthropic community should be aware,” says Walker. “One of the greatest benefits is a regularly scheduled time to network and share experiences. Since the nonprofits in our community are of various ages and complexities, sharing information about programs, administrative needs like insurance or new technologies, will be helpful in growing the knowledge bases of our nonprofits.”

Tracy Krumpen is the district director for Assembly Majority Leader Cecilia Aguiar-Curry.

“As District staff, we receive phone calls from constituents looking for local resources and assistance,” says Krumpen. “The Coalition meetings provide us with knowledge of available services and direct contact with nonprofit organizations who offer many of the services constituents are seeking. It’s important to point out that Congressman Mike Thompson’s office and state Senator Christopher Cabaldon also participate in the Coalition meetings.”

“I think the Coalition is a good idea because communication and collaboration are key to being successful,” says Krumpen. “The collaboration between nonprofits and our legislative offices helps us serve our mutual constituency. The more we all know, the more effective we can be. It’s an opportunity to share, educate and learn.”

As Crutison wrote in his paper about the original Coalition, “By serving as a conduit of information among members, the community, funding sources, and elected officials, the coalition keeps all stakeholders informed.”

While the same is true today, the organizers hope for a more inclusive but less structured group.

“This is a get-together, a community meeting,” says Johnson. “We’re trying not to make it too complicated. We’re not going to incorporate as 501c3 because we aren’t raising money; we’re a coalition of nonprofits. All we want to do is get together.”

“What I hope is that members get friendship and collaboration and for new people, a welcoming familiarity. We’re bringing people together to collaborate; we used to do a lot more than we do now. Perhaps we can find a grant that we can do together. It’s supporting one another.”

“I think the impact to the people who attend will be a sense of community and belonging. That positive attitude will trickle down to their staff and their organizations. The meetings are only for an hour. This is something that’s nice, get a cup of coffee, share what you are doing, learn what our politicians and funders are undertaking. Come and find out, it’s a meet and greet. Everyone is welcome.”

For more information about the Napa Valley Non-profit Coalition, email djohnson@can-v.org.