Culver City has more than 200 active nonprofit organizations spanning arts and culture, education, health and social services, and community development. These vital organizations address our community’s most pressing needs and also enrich our cultural landscape.
The Wende Museum supports Culver City nonprofits through several initiatives, including an annual Nonprofit Convening bringing leaders together, the Nonprofit Transformation Prize recognizing excellence, and educational workshops building capacity. These activities are coordinated by Wende Board Member Dr. Tom Backer, and they are supported by Belize Wilheim and the staff of the Glorya Kaufman Community Center at the Wende.
Annual Nonprofit Convening
Each year, the Wende hosts a gathering for nonprofit leaders to share insights and focus on challenges. These events provide a valuable platform for networking and collective problem-solving. Below is a list of past convenings.
2020: Navigating Change in Nonprofits
Topics: The future of philanthropy, staff development, and diversity, equity & inclusion (DEI)
Speakers:
- Jim Clarke, Leadership Culver City/West LA College
- Colin Diaz, Culver City Chamber of Commerce
- Christine Glasco, Upward Bound House
- Jim Herr, Annenberg Foundation
- Mark Hower, Antioch University
- Bob Lazzarini, Antioch University
- James Limbaugh, West Los Angeles College
- Claire Peeps, Durfee Foundation
- Thomas Small, Culver City Council Member
2021: Nonprofit Trends in Philanthropy and Anti-Racism
Topics: Reimagining philanthropy and advancing racial equity
Speakers:
- Wendy Garen, President & CEO, Ralph M. Parsons Foundation
- Dr. Allen Lipscomb, Professor, California State University Northridge
2022: Business & Nonprofit Partnerships
Focus: Strategies for effective cross-sector collaboration
Speakers:
- Dr. Ira Diamond, Shoes for the Homeless
- Carmen Ibarra, The Achievable Foundation
- Marie Lloyd, Amazon
- Wally Marks, Walter N. Marks Realty Company
2023: The Music of Collaboration
Focus: Lessons in teamwork from chamber music applied to nonprofits
Highlights included a performance and discussion by Maia Jasper-White & Kevin Kumar of Salastina Music Society.
Speakers:
- Carrie Harlow, Nonprofit Sustainability Initiative
- Ruth Hollman, SHARE!
- Jennifer Price-Letscher, Ralph M. Parsons Foundation
2024: Nonprofits Embracing the Future
Focus: Culver City’s Cultural Corridor and Park Master Plan
Speakers:
- Dan O’Brien, Culver City Vice-Mayor
- Allison Sampson, Colburn Foundation
- Joan Weinstein, Getty Foundation
2025: Building Long-Term Relationships with Foundations and Donors
Focus: Sustaining trust and engagement with funders
Speakers:
- Dr. Tom Backer, Wende Museum Board/California State University Northridge
- Dr. Justinian Jampol, Founder/Executive Director, The Wende Museum
- Rachel Roth, Crail-Johnson Foundation
The Nonprofit Transformation Prize
The Nonprofit Transformation Prize, supported by the Wende Museum on behalf of Culver City nonprofits, is awarded annually to a Culver City nonprofit serving vulnerable people (people who have disabilities, are homeless or have a mental illness or substance addiction, etc.). The Prize specifically honors a nonprofit that has increased its impact through changing its service approach in a “transformational” way, such as starting an innovative new program or adding a new and different type of client. The nonprofit can be large or small but must be based within Culver City and must have been in operation for three years or more. The Prize includes a framed certificate and a $5,000 grant. The winner also will be featured on the Wende’s website. From 2020-2023 the Wende Prize was funded by a gift from Wende Museum Board Member Thomas E. Backer, PhD. It is now funded by a private foundation.
Award Winners:
2020: Achievable Foundation
2021: Shoes for the Homeless
2022: SHARE!
2023: L.A. Goal
2024: WIN Los Angeles
2025: Grace Diner
Prize Selection Committee
Thomas E. Backer, PhD, California State University Northridge
Jim Clarke, Culver City Arts Foundation
Ira Diamond, DPM, Shoes for the Homeless, Inc.
Rich Hibbs, Richard Hibbs and Associates
Carmen Ibarra, Achievable Health
Janet Levine, Janet Levine Consulting
Timothy Sweeney, MPA, WIN Los Angeles
Thomas Wilson, Community Representative
Educational Workshops
The Wende Museum hosts free educational workshops for nonprofit leaders in Culver City.
2024: How Fundraising Has Changed and How It Has Stayed the Same
How much did Americans give to charity last year? How can electronic and social media help nonprofits reach donors? How do changing demographics—and the upcoming huge transfer of wealth—change the fundraising landscape? What about Donor Advised Funds? And how do personal relationships help nonprofits fundraise? Nonprofit experts Dr. Tom Backer (also a Wende Board member) and Janet Levine (also a Culver City resident) gave a one-hour Zoom webinar focused on these questions on September 19, 2024.
Get Involved
We welcome your participation and ideas for future programming. Contact Belize Wilheim at bwilheim@wendemuseum.org to:
- Nominate organizations for the Transformation Prize
- Suggest educational workshop topics
- Learn about upcoming events