Supporting Culver City’s Nonprofit Community

Culver City has more than 200 active nonprofit organizations spanning arts and culture, education, health and social services, and community development. These organizations address our community’s most pressing needs and enrich its cultural life.

The Wende supports Culver City nonprofits through several initiatives: an annual Nonprofit Convening bringing leaders together, the Nonprofit Transformation Prize recognizing excellence, and educational workshops building organizational capacity. These activities are coordinated by Wende Board Member Dr. Tom Backer, with support from Belize Wilheim and the staff of the Glorya Kaufman Community Center.

Annual Nonprofit Convening

Each year, the Wende hosts a gathering for nonprofit leaders to share insights and tackle shared challenges. 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

2026: Corporate Philanthropy in Times of Government Funding Uncertainty

Focus: Navigating corporate partnerships amid shifting public funding

Speakers:

• Dr. Tom Backer, Wende Museum Board/California State University Northridge (Moderator)
• Paula Golden, President, Broadcom Foundation
• David Ambroz, Head of Community Engagement for Global Media Entertainment, Amazon

The Nonprofit Transformation Prize

The Nonprofit Transformation Prize is awarded annually to a Culver City nonprofit serving vulnerable populations, including people with disabilities, those experiencing homelessness, or those dealing with mental illness or substance addiction. The Prize honors a nonprofit that has increased its impact by changing its service approach in a meaningful way, such as launching an innovative program or expanding to serve a new type of client. The nonprofit can be any size but must be based in Culver City and have been in operation for at least three years. The Prize includes a framed certificate and a $5,000 grant, and the winner is featured on the Wende’s website. From 2020 to 2023 the Prize was funded by a gift