Mockingbird Nonprofit Incubator Grant Program

Mockingbird Nonprofit Incubator Grant Program is sponsored by Mockingbird Incubator. This program supports emerging nonprofit founders in creating sustainable growth and impact. It includes workshops on nonprofit management, fundraising, and access to resources.

Selected organizations receive scholarships and the chance to apply for grant funds.

Nonprofit Incubator — Nonprofit Incubator Applications for the Mockingbird Nonprofit Incubator Program are closed! Stay tuned for when applications open again for the Fall 2026 cohort. Our cohort-based program is designed to help emerging nonprofit founders create sustainable growth and measurable impact in our communities.

If you are a nonprofit founder, you know that running a nonprofit isn't easy! Besides the specific legal requirements of running a 501c3, this work requires you to understand how a nonprofit board works, how to fundraise for your nonprofit, stay in compliance, and how to market your work, among SO MANY other things. That can be overwhelming.

After many years of working with nonprofits at different stages, we've designed the Nonprofit Incubator Program to teach founders how to run scalable nonprofits that make a difference . During the eight weeks of the program, our team will guide you step-by-step through the process of growing an organization, navigating the world of nonprofits, and securing the funds you need to realize your mission.

We partner with Givebutter to provide 20 nonprofit organizations with the tools and resources they need to grow. Thanks to Givebutter , selected organizations will receive a full scholarship to participate in the program and the opportunity to apply for up to $4,000 in grant funds after completion of the incubator.

Eight (8) live workshops on nonprofit management, including one workshop from our partner, Givebutter, to help with attracting and engaging individual donors on their platform. Review of your fundraising campaign by the Givebutter team. Access to our Fundraising Challenge and the opportunity to receive matching funds from Mockingbird Nonprofit Incubator.

Lifetime discounted access to all our additional events in nonprofit management and development. Recordings and extra resources are available on our Teachable digital learning platform. Access to our network of expert nonprofit professionals and founders and our growing incubator cohort alumni group .

One of our participants will have the opportunity to win our $3,000 seed grant after completing the program. The core program includes eight (8) live workshops on nonprofit management (2 hours per week), including a special session from our partner Givebutter focused on attracting and engaging individual donors.

In addition, we offer an optional fundraising challenge to help you launch a donor campaign using Givebutter, which may require 1 additional hour per week for those who choose to participate. We also provide optional homework assignments to help you apply what you’ve learned and host three (3) optional discussion groups (1 hour, every other week) to support peer learning and connection.

Applications for our Spring 2026 cohort are open until February 16, 2026. The Spring 2026 cohort will start on March 6, 2026, and runs for eight (8) consecutive weeks, ending on April 24, 2026. Additional dates for 2026 are TDB.

Our cohort meets on Fridays from 10 AM to 12 PM (PST) // 1 PM to 3 PM (EST). Additional office hour sessions will be available for participants. We reserve the right to change the order and dates of the workshops.

The program topics include: Goal Definition for Nonprofits Board Development and Engagement Creating a Successful Fundraising Plan How to Engage Individual Donors Program Design and Evaluation Including Equity in Your Day-To-Day Operations. Price: 20 selected organizations will receive a full scholarship to participate in the program, thanks to our partner givebutter . To be considered, you need to have a Givebutter account.

Use this link to create an account . Meet Our Program Participants Founder, Director of Research & Project Management Mockingbird Incubator board member and Deputy Director of State Strategy at the Legal Action Center (LAC) Customer Education Manager at Givebutter Claudia fuels fundraising success for nonprofits at Givebutter, your all-in-one fundraising platform.

Leveraging a diverse background that spans program management, editorial work, and research, Claudia brings over 5 years of experience to the table. Previously, Claudia empowered families of color through educational opportunities, supported academic research and distribution, and advocated for the economic equity of new migrants.

Now, at Givebutter, her passion translates into crafting engaging strategies to help nonprofits of different missions and sizes thrive. Rachel joined Mockingbird Analytics in 2021 with over ten years of experience as an educator, instructional coach, enrichment coordinator, curriculum writer, and board member.

Since beginning at Mockingbird, Rachel has raised over $40 million on behalf of nonprofit clients across the country through both private and public grant programs. A graduate of New York University’s Gallatin School of Individualized and Drexel University’s Westphal College, she is passionate about helping nonprofits reach their goals through sustainable fundraising and financial planning.

Rachel is also a proud City Year LA and TFA LA alum with particular interest in education, youth development, and arts & culture. In addition to her leadership at Mockingbird Analytics, Rachel serves as Mockingbird Incubator’s Chief Financial Officer, and leads the financial management of both the nonprofit and its fiscally sponsored projects.

mOCKINGBIRD ANALYTICS’ Director of Research and Evaluation Marisa (she/they) is a community-based researcher and educator focused on advancing urban policies through racial and gender equity. She examines how identity and emotions shape people’s access to places and services across the lifespan.

Marisa uses trauma-informed evaluation, community-based participatory action research, and qualitative methodologies to integrate social movement practices into urban planning. Her research has been published in top urban planning journals. Marisa has worked with the Equity Research Institute, the ONE Gay & Lesbian National Archive, the American Planning Association, LA Freewaves, LAANE, and the Restorative Justice Institute of Maine.

Marisa is a Visiting Professor in Urban Planning and Real Estate Law at UC Berkeley. She holds a PhD in Urban Planning & Development from the University of Southern California and a Masters of City and Regional Planning from Cornell University. She enjoys biking with her wife and puppy, especially when the ride ends with french fries.

“ The Mockingbird Incubator program was a game-changer for me. The intensive workshops covered everything, i.e., fundraising, compliance, board development, programing, and evaluation, etc. Their team generously shared their knowledge, provided valuable feedback, and helped me refine our strategy. ” — Spring 2024 Program Participant LOOKING FOR training you can do at your own speed?

Start slow with our on-demand Nonprofit Management School program. Choose from a variety of recorded trainings, workshops, and checklists to get the ball rolling in your nonprofit. Meet and support our Fall 2023 Cohort here >> A: Our next online program will begin in Spring 2026.

This online program, takes place every week for eight (8) weeks on Fridays from 10 AM (PST) - 1 PM (EST). Find more details on our application. Q: how do I know if the incubator program is right for me?

A: This program is perfect for you if you are: A 501c3 nonprofit organization or under fiscal sponsorship incorporated and operating in the United States. An activist, grassroots organizer, founder, and social justice innovator in the nonprofit sector. Eager to learn how to run your nonprofit because you are passionate about a cause but not sure about the administrative details.

Willing to put in the work, attend the live workshops, and complete the assignments. Ready and committed to growing an organization and your nonprofit leadership skills. This program is NOT for you if: You want an easy way to start a nonprofit or don’t have an idea about the kind of work you want to do.

You don’t have the time to attend the live workshops or complete the assignments. We also do not accept organizations whose mission is not in alignment with social justice and equity values.

This includes missionary organizations, religious organizations whose intent is to proselytize, organizations whose intent is further a cause based in anti-science or conspiracy-led beliefs, booster organizations to support the work of governmental institutions, organizations whose sole purpose is “raising awareness”, lobbying, or building out a technology platform, and organizations whose purpose is racist, sexist, xenophobic, anti-science, anti-LGBTQ+, or otherwise discriminatory.

Q: DO I HAVE TO BE located IN LOS ANGELES? A: Our workshops are 100% online. You do not need to be based in Los Angeles to be part of our program.

However, we teach about U.S. nonprofit governance and fundraising practices, so organizations need to be incorporated in the United States. Q: WHAT IS THE program COMMITMENT? A: We host virtual live workshops every week for eight weeks.

Each of our workshops lasts around 2 hours. The Mockingbird Incubator Program is designed to help you grow your leadership skills and nonprofit vision, so you will get out of the program what you put into it. We will ask you to commit to the following: Show up to each facilitated workshop and actively participate in the workshop teaching time.

Come prepared with questions and ideas. Q: HOW MUCH DOES IT COST? A: FREE.

Thanks to Givebutter. Q: HOW do I apply for the grant you give out? A: We offer a $3,000* grant to one participant who completes our Incubator Program.

Completing our program is a requirement for applying for and receiving the grant. Our Board of Directors reviews all grant applications and is responsible for selecting the award recipients. We do not offer grants to organizations or individuals who do not participate in our program.

Our board selection criteria prioritizes projects that demonstrate innovation, sustainability, and a well-thought-out plan for making community impact. *Amount is subject to change based on funding availability. Q: WHO teaches the PROGRAM?

A: Our staff has more than 40 years of combined direct service and teaching experience helping nonprofit leaders and organizations. We often have special guests from the nonprofit fields who also have many years of experience working with new and established nonprofit organizations. Q: CAN MY TEAM PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM?

A: Our program membership includes the attendance of 1 member per organization to our workshops. If you want additional team members to participate, the fee per extra member is $200. Any team member is welcome to participate in our Incubator Program.

This program is designed for activists, leaders, and founders. However, board members, co-founders, and employees are welcome as well. Consistency is the most important part of creating our Incubator community.

Q: DO YOU HAVE MORE QUESTIONS? A: If you have more questions, contact us . We would love to talk to you!