For half a century, the nonprofit Down Syndrome Association of Los Angeles (DSALA) has helped people with down syndrome and their families find critical support resources. Today, they serve 4,000 people.
Finding grants is critical in helping DSALA meet its goals: increasing the number of families it can serve, finding caregiver support, enhancing health and wellbeing, and encouraging community and social inclusion for Angelenos with down syndrome.
To enhance their grant-building skills, DSALA approached Jericho Road Pasadena for help. JRP unlocked its proprietary grant funding database for the organization, and connected DSALA with one of its most impactful longtime volunteers, Mitch Boretz. An exceptionally skilled grant writer, Boretz also generously shares his powerful connections to key foundations, government agencies, and community partners with JRP clients.
Boretz immediately began collaborating with DSALA’s CFO, Wayne Geffen, a career corporate finance professional who was the Vice President and Controller for Smart & Final Stores and currently is an Engagement Partner with CSuite Financial Partners. Together, the two developed a grant-searching process, quickly applying for and receiving two key grants. They plan to pursue other funding opportunities, including creating joint grant proposals with other non-profit organizations, as well as city governments and universities.
They also assessed an opportunity from the Administration for Community Living and decided to revisit a grant proposal in the future based on changes that are occurring recently.
Boretz says DSALA was well-prepared to team with him. “They’ve made great strides in organizing their priorities and messaging, and designing a systematic approach to grant funding opportunities,” he says.
Geffen is delighted by his collaboration with Boretz. ” I would rate Mitch at least a ten,” he says.
Thanks to volunteer Linda Taubenreuther for writing JRP social media posts!