2021 Annual Report
Powering Positive Change
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Our Mission
At Charitable Ventures, we work with all stakeholders to strengthen communities and address critical social issues by:
- Supporting collaborative efforts
- Incubating new ideas and supporting community projects
- Providing practical and innovative consulting to nonprofits and foundations
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Our Vision
Is empowered communities where all stakeholders work together to solve critical social challenges through strategically coordinated efforts and resources.

A LETTER FROM ANNE
Dear Friends,
Like many of our community partners, Charitable Ventures experienced our share of trials in the last two years, and 2021 continued to test us. From learning how to navigate a hybrid work environment, to building new processes, to scaling our model to meet the increased demand for our services, it was a year of change and challenge. Through that process, we solidified as a team, strengthened and deepened our services, and supported our clients and projects as they successfully navigated their own challenges.
To meet the demands of this moment, Charitable Ventures brings a unique business model for the nonprofit industry that focuses on blending the efficiencies of earned income and innovative service with the power of philanthropic subsidy.
Woven into this unique model is this simple belief: by strengthening our business partners - nonprofit leaders, community activists, social entrepreneurs, philanthropists and foundations, and government agencies - we also strengthen our communities.
We do this three ways:
- 1. By teaching nonprofit start-ups what it takes to be successful businesses;
- 2. By effectively supporting community organizations in their drive toward mission success;
- 3. By connecting investors to catalytic solutions for difficult issues.
In the report that follows, you’ll see some of the amazing work in play – in our incubator, through our social impact consulting, through our collaborations, and in our focus on equity and inclusion.
The work we do at Charitable Ventures is unique, timely, and needed. It is my distinct honor to be leading Charitable Ventures forward for such a time as this.
We Are Drivers of Social Change
We are proud of our growing impact in the region. In 2021, Charitable Ventures was ranked as the 25th largest nonprofit in Orange County, a significant growth in revenue that we continue to sustain. This growth has been a result of our thriving projects, continuing relief fund administration, and escalating needs for social impact consulting and regional collaboration.
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Annual Revenue
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2021 Financials
2021 Highlights
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$22.7 Million in Revenue
a 237% increase in 5 years
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$20 Million Invested In Social Impact
programs and initiatives through the Incubation Platform
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$7.7 Million Administered Through Relief Funds
for small businesses and nonprofits impacted by COVID-19
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20+ Community Challenges Addressed
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78 Nonprofits Supported
through Charitable Ventures Incubation Platform and Social Impact Consulting
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30,000+ Individuals Served
by Incubated Projects tackling the most critical community challenges
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We find creative solutions that bring real transformation and increased vibrancy to our communities.
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- What if we could solve family homelessness?
- What if our children had the mental health support they needed?
- What if our elders had the access to affordable and quality health care, social support, and nutrition that they deserve?
- What if everyone leaving the system received trauma-informed care, and a place to heal?
- What if disinvested communities had a say in their own economic development?
- What if BIPOC leaders had the investment they truly needed to thrive?
- What if we could solve the climate challenges in California?
This is why Charitable Ventures exists: to turn these questions of “what if” into actionable and established reality.
Where Ideas Become Impactful Solutions
We guide innovative ideas and trailblazing thought leaders into change making territory, which proved once again in 2021 to be a successful business model for us and our nonprofits. With more than 42 projects on our rapidly growing incubation platform, we continue to help grow seedling ideas into engines of real social change.
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"Charitable Ventures has helped me understand the various layers of business practices and the process is humanized to make it easy for us to focus on mission - sustainable farm-to-table best practices to help build healthier communities.
Abel Ruiz, Founder, CRECE Urban Farms
CRECE Urban Farms
CRECE is an urban farming co-op and market garden committed to supporting new or emerging BIPOC urban farmers and finding innovative ways to fight food apartheid in Orange County.
TAP FOR QUOTE
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"To continue serving our community and building up our educators, we continue to develop our structure and capacity to be effective. Charitable Ventures has helped us learn and grow and develop as an organization so we can get to the level where we can eventually operate on our own."
Maribel Toan, Executive Director & Co-Founder, The Mix Academy
The MIX Academy
The Mix Academy provides empowering enrichment (music, art, and wellness) and life-skills classes for Santa Ana families, immigrants, and those experiencing homelessness.
TAP FOR QUOTE
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"Having Charitable Ventures help us with a sustainability and growth model, while also making connections with the state and county has elevated our program. More families are turning to us and more children are benefitting from this critical, life changing work we’re doing."
Sandy Avzaradel, MS Ed., Director, Start Well
Start Well
Start Well, a fiscally sponsored project of Charitable Ventures, equips educators and families with the skills to recognize, address, and support early childhood mental health.
TAP FOR QUOTE
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PROJECT KINSHIP READY TO LAUNCH
After more than eight years of sponsorship, Project Kinship will launch in 2022 as an incorporated nonprofit serving individuals impacted by gangs and incarceration. Under the leadership of founder Steve Kim, the organization’s commitment to trauma-informed care and restorative justice has dramatically changed the public safety and reentry landscape for Orange County families healing from incarceration.
“Besides being instrumental in defining our strategic vision, managing human resources and supporting financial needs as its sponsor, Charitable Ventures is aligned with our mission- It’s been relational, building trust, and we’re learning how to leave something in Orange County beyond me and carry-on that legacy.”
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Steve Kim
Founder & Executive Director,
Project Kinship
STRENGTHENING NONPROFIT BUSINESSES
Where Transformational Change Happens
We partner with nonprofits in all stages of development and growth. From simple assessment services to concise launch strategies, to internal planning and board development, to creating a solid marketing plan, we continue to impart purpose-driven solutions aimed at boosting an organization’s long-term, sustainable impact.
The Cambodian Family
Applying critical findings from ongoing data evaluation services provided by Charitable Ventures, a new Substance Use Disorder (SUD) prevention program was launched in March 2020 for Southeast Asian and Latinx youth called Empowered Southeast Asian and Latinx Youth (ESALY). ESALY gathered youth perspectives on substance use to better tailor racially and culturally relevant prevention and treatment programs.TAP FOR QUOTE
"We are not just a client relationship but a transformational partnership. We are community partners; we feel valued and are on this journey together to achieve sustainability and advance health equity with Charitable Ventures."
– Vattana Peong, Executive Director, The Cambodian Family
Casa Teresa
After years of strategic planning and grant services support from Charitable Ventures, Casa Teresa has seen tremendous capacity growth in five vital residential programs: giving shelter and other basic needs, case management, classes, and supportive services for pregnant women and mothers in crisis.TAP FOR QUOTE
"The organizational assessment Charitable Ventures conducted was phenomenal. Since then, our organization has grown. And with so many services offered, I can maximize my investment to amplify our strengths"
– Lisa Wood, Chief Executive Officer, Casa Teresa
The Priority Center
A plan and a path. Charitable Ventures delivered both, helping The Priority Center implement a fresh business strategy, strengthen service lines, and ultimately assist more people in crisis with early intervention and mental health support to end the generational cycle of abuse and trauma.TAP FOR QUOTE
"I’m very grateful to Charitable Ventures for leading, guiding, and coaching me through the strategic planning. We look forward to building even more capacity and momentum for our organization in the next five years."
– Lisa Fujimoto, Executive Director and CEO, The Priority Center
CATALYZING INVESTOR PARTNERSHIPS
Amplifying Impact of Organizations
From simple management of services to coordinating private and public funding streams, 2021 was another successful year of helping foundations allocate grants in areas aligned with their philanthropic missions. Partnerships built on shared aspirations, expand reach and deepen impact for both nonprofit and donor.
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Wells Fargo &Ready to Grow
Ready to Grow, a new initiative focused on supporting Orange County nonprofits especially those led by and/or serving people of color, was made possible with the generous support of Wells Fargo’s Open for Business program. From one-on-one coaching, to training workshops, and a portal of curated resources for nonprofits, over 130 organizations are participating and growing as a unified network of nonprofits.
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First 5 Orange County &Child Care Relief Grants
Charitable Ventures serves as the administrator for the Fifth District Childcare Program, which will distribute $1.5 million to assist the district’s local childcare businesses and nonprofits affected by COVID-19. The funding, part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, will aid childcare-related businesses as they recover from reduction in revenue, layoffs, or voluntary and involuntary forced closures.
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Orange County SSA &FACT Network
As a trusted administrator for the County’s investment in child abuse prevention and family support services, in 2020-2021 Charitable Ventures helped SSA County partner with the network’s expansive nonprofit base to support 4,936 families and 11,029 individuals through regular services and provide emergency assistance to 19,836 families—a pandemic driven increase of 866%.
Board of Directors
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John L. Benner
Board Chair
Coach, Executive
Coaches of
Orange County
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John (Jake) C. Rohrer
Board Treasurer
Coach, Executive Service Corps, Los Angeles Chapter
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Edson McClellan
Board Secretary
Partner, Rutan &
Tucker, LLP
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Dr. Jerry Hunter
Retired Chancellor, North Orange County
Community College District
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Jason Lacsamana
Director, Programs
and Partnerships
St. Joseph Community
Partnership Fund
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Shawna Smith
CEO, Taller San Jose
Hope Builders
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Keith Swayne
Founder and Director, The Judy
and Keith Swayne
Family Foundation
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Susanna Vakili
Licensed Marriage and
Family Therapist
Executive Team
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Anne Olin
President & CEO
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Ted Kim
Chief Financial Officer
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Joe Ball
Chief Operating Officer
We Are Grateful Partners
We’ve catalyzed social change and strengthened communities on account of our many meaningful, like-minded partnerships. Working alongside visionaries like you who are invested in building tomorrow’s resilient and equitable communities, we are able to continue guiding those most in need to a place of empowerment.