irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2023
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $36KWORKSHOPS - LAST YEAR WE LED OVER 53 WORKSHOPS AND TRAININGS DESIGNED TO ELEVATE NONPROFIT LEADERSHIP'S KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS IN BOARD GOVERNANCE AND FUNDRAISING, MADE POSSIBLE BY COLLABORATIONS WITH 11 FUNDERS AND OTHER PARTNERS.PUBLICATIONS - WE PROVIDE THOUGHT LEADERSHIP ON A SECTORAL LEVEL ON ISSUES PERTAINING TO FUNDRAISING AND GOVERNANCE, ESPECIALLY STRATEGIC CONCERNS RELATING TO EQUITY, ACCESS, AND ENSURING THAT ALL HAVE THEIR RIGHTFUL SEAT AT THE TABLE. IN 2019 CAUSE EFFECTIVE RELEASED "MONEY, POWER AND RACE: THE LIVED EXPERIENCE OF FUNDRAISERS OF COLOR" - A SEARINGLY HONEST NARRATIVE UNCOVERING THE CHALLENGES FACED BY FUNDRAISERS OF COLOR ACROSS U.S. NONPROFITS OF ALL SIZES. WHICH IS STILL PROVOKING SECTORAL CONVERSATIONS TODAY.
named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Cause Effective Fellows Program: Advancing Leaders of Color in Fundraising
Leadership development initiative supporting development professionals of color through mentorship, training, and networking opportunities.
Thought Leadership Publications
Research and narrative reports such as "Money, Power and Race: The Lived Experience of Fundraisers of Color" that address systemic inequities in the nonprofit sector.
Thrivability Model
A framework integrating diversity, equity, and inclusion into nonprofit management through five pillars to enhance organizational collaboration, engagement, and funding.
Workshops and Trainings
Interactive sessions designed to elevate nonprofit leadership skills in board governance, fundraising, and organizational sustainability, delivered to organizations nationwide.
activities · 3 groups
What they do
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Nonprofit Capacity Building Services 2 activities
- Capacity-building consulting for nonprofitsProvides tailored consulting services to strengthen nonprofit fundraising, board engagement, governance, and special campaign effectiveness. Supported over 7,000 nonprofit organizations, including through pro bono services for 25 organizations annually unable to afford fees.
- Training and coaching for nonprofit professionalsProvides training, coaching, and immersive consulting to nonprofit professionals to improve governance, fundraising productivity, and organizational resilience. Offered tools, templates, and guidance on emergency funding campaigns, virtual galas, and strengthening the case for support, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Charitable Grantmaking to Specific Causes 1 activity
- Funding malaria vaccine deliveryFunds partner organizations to deliver malaria vaccines in high-burden countries.
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Nonprofit Sector Research & Data Analysis 1 activity
- Research on equity in fundraising and governanceConducts and publishes research on systemic challenges in nonprofit leadership, including the 2019 report "Money, Power and Race: The Lived Experience of Fundraisers of Color," which examines barriers faced by fundraisers of color in U.S. nonprofits.
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financials · form 990 · fy2023
revenue
Total revenue$1.23M
Contributions & grants$845K68%
Program service revenue$386K31%
Investment income$160%
Other revenue$4K
expenses
Total expenses$1.59M
Program expenses52%
Admin / overhead39%
Fundraising9%
Salaries & benefits$1.24M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$312K
Cash$24K
Investments$0
Liabilities$68K
Net assets$244K
Liquid reserves0.2 mo
4 years on record · 2019–2023 · YoY revenue -27.1%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2023
Who runs it
paid leadership · 4
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| SONYA SHIELDS | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $180K |
| DAVID MCGOY | DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC GROWTH | 40 | $128K |
| SHYLA RIVERA | SENIOR DIRECTOR OF HUMAN CAPITAL & OPERATIONS | 40 | $120K |
| JUDY LEVINE | FORMER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $78K |
board members · 11
- AMY WOLF — SECRETARY
- CHARKO PATTERSON — BOARD MEMBER
- DOROTHY LACHER — VICE CHAIR
- KATRINA VENTURINA — BOARD MEMBER
- KELSEY LOUIS — BOARD MEMBER
- KENNETH LAM — BOARD MEMBER
- MARK CASTLE — BOARD MEMBER
- PEDRO REYES — BOARD MEMBER
- ROSS PASQUALE — BOARD MEMBER
- THOMAS SCHIER — TREASURER
- ZANETTA ADDAMS-PILGRIM — CHAIR
relationships · 38
Who they work with
- 11 FUNDERS AND OTHER PARTNERS Partner — Collaborated with 11 funders and partners to deliver workshops and trainings in 2023.
- 17 FUNDERS AND OTHER PARTNERS Partner — Collaborated with 17 funders and partners to deliver workshops and trainings in 2022.
- 40 FUNDERS AND OTHER PARTNERS Partner — Collaborated with 40 funders and partners to deliver workshops and trainings in 2019.
- 7,000 nonprofit organizations Partner — Organizations partnered with on the frontlines of social movements impacting marginalized people.
- Asian American Federation Partner — Client organization whose executive director provided a testimonial about Cause Effective's support.
- Asian American Federation Partner — Community partner collaborating with Cause Effective.
- Association for Neighborhood & Housing Development Partner — Community partner collaborating with Cause Effective.
- Axis Talent Partner — Provided expertise and support in the executive search process for Cause Effective's next Executive Director.
- Center for Bronx Nonprofits Partner — Community partner collaborating with Cause Effective.
- Children’s Learning Centers of Fairfield County Partner — Client organization served by Cause Effective
- Community Resource Exchange Partner — Community partner collaborating with Cause Effective.
- Crossroads Community Services Partner — Partner organization that received support in developing a sustainable board-inclusive fundraising approach
- Curtis W. McGraw Foundation Funder — Foundation funder supporting Cause Effective's work.
- David McGoy Partner — Director of Strategic Growth at Cause Effective
- Fiscal Management Associates Partner — Community partner collaborating with Cause Effective.
- Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation Funder — Foundation funder supporting Cause Effective's work.
- Institute for Global Ethics Coalition — Shared board leadership with Cause Effective, as indicated by former board chair Paul S. McAuliffe serving on both organizations.
- Judy Levine Government — Former Executive Director and President of Cause Effective
- Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP Funder — Corporate funder supporting Cause Effective's work.
- Lawyer's Alliance for New York Partner — Community partner collaborating with Cause Effective.
- Masa Partner — Provided capacity-building support to Masa, particularly in board recruitment.
- New York City Department for the Aging Government — Public sector partner providing support or funding.
- New York City Department of Cultural Affairs Government — Public sector partner providing support or funding.
- New York City Department of Youth and Community Development Government — Public sector partner providing support or funding.
- New York City Maor's Office of Criminal Justice Government — Public sector partner providing support or funding.
- New York City Mayor’s Office of Contract Services Government — Public sector partner providing support or funding.
- New York Council of Nonprofits Partner — Community partner collaborating with Cause Effective.
- New York Women's Foundation Funder — Foundation funder supporting Cause Effective's work.
- Nonprofit Solutions Network Partner — Community partner collaborating with Cause Effective.
- Northern Manhattan Improvement Coalition Partner — Partner organization whose executive director provided a testimonial about Cause Effective's services.
+ 8 more
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Client-Centered Capacity Buildingmethodology: client-centered_capacity_buildingBy customizing capacity-building support to each organization’s history, culture, and relationships, the organization produces lasting organizational change because the approach respects self-determination and increases ownership, relevance, and feasibility of implementation.
- Community Self-Determination and Leadership Developmentmethodology: self-determinationBy supporting community-rooted leaders and organizations to define and direct their own goals, the organization advances equity and resilience because it centers historically excluded voices in decision-making and strengthens leadership from within marginalized communities.
- Inclusive Philanthropy and Sustained Givingmethodology: inclusive_philanthropyBy reframing philanthropy as inclusive and accessible to people of all economic backgrounds and encouraging sustained giving, the organization builds broader donor engagement and financial continuity because it expands the donor base beyond traditional wealth and fosters long-term commitment.
- Thrivability Framework for Equity and Sustainabilitymethodology: thrivabilityBy applying the Thrivability framework with its five pillars, the organization helps nonprofits not only survive but thrive—producing more equitable and sustainable outcomes because it centers diversity, equity, inclusion, and collaboration in organizational strategy and operations.