October 2025
SAN ANTONIO, TX – Social Venture Partners San Antonio (SVPSA), collaborating with a network of prominent local funders announces a significant milestone: $4 million in skilled volunteer services delivered to nonprofits throughout the San Antonio area with utilization of the Catchafire.org platform.
Originally launched in 2020 as a rapid-response solution to the challenges posed by the pandemic, Catchafire is a website that connects nonprofits with professionals from across the globe who want to give their expertise pro-bono. The service is paid by local foundations and corporate sponsors that is $1200 for each nonprofit, so there is no cost to the charitable organization. Through the annual subscription, over 238 local nonprofits gained access to a pool of professional expertise in fields such as finance, data analytics, graphic design, website coding and design, management and human resources.
Total value to the community at the end of October was $4,115,220 that represents 21,471 hours of volunteer time.
With the connection, local nonprofits like the San Antonio Marriage Initiative (SAMI) have been able to accomplish things they couldn’t afford. Carl Caton, founder and CEO says they aspired to build the largest resource for marriage counseling in the country, but they knew it was very expensive.
How it works:
“We engaged with Catchafire and we project managed it (the website redesign) with the help of some really bright people we found there,” Caton said.
As a result, SAMI came away with a website built by Carolin M. volunteering her time worth $20,842 – at no cost. Other Catchafire volunteers added search engine optimization, google analytics setup, data gathering, training and more. Overall, SAMI has gained more than $91,000 in value from 22 projects on the platform since 2022.
This is set apart from traditional volunteering. Catchafire enables nonprofits to utilize high-quality, professional expertise, allowing them to reallocate financial resources that would typically be spent on contractors toward their core missions, ultimately serving more individuals in need, Becky Dinnin, Executive Director of SVPSA reports.
“This initiative demonstrates the incredible impact that occurs when funders and community partners unite to develop creative solutions to local challenges,” said Leslie Palmer, SVPSA board chair. “Reaching $4 million in contributed services illustrates the lasting difference these skilled volunteers make, allowing nonprofits to reinvest those resources into their programs for a significant win-win.”
High ROI for Local Nonprofits
Several local organizations talk about reaping the rewards of their subscriptions for Catchafire:
- Ability Skateboarding & Action Sports, which focuses on inclusivity for individuals with and without disabilities, has saved $29,838 through 11 diverse projects, from online research to developing training plans for staff and volunteers. “Catchafire has been a massive force multiplier for us, enabling us to access the research and assistance needed to enhance our programs,” shares Nathan Smith, board member.
- Alamo Area Community Network (AACN) reported savings of $13,817 across four projects, including talent recruitment and logo redesign. “Catchafire has alleviated the burdens on our small, multitasking team by connecting us with volunteers who offer specialized expertise we lack internally,” said Natasha Lane, CEO of AACN. “The volunteers demonstrate immense knowledge and passion, making Catchafire an essential resource for us.”
- San Antonio for Growth on the Eastside (SAGE) utilized volunteers for market analysis which directly contributed to securing city funding for neighborhood reinvestment. “Catchafire linked us with professionals who provided the needed expertise to advocate effectively for funding,” stated James Nortey, CEO of SAGE. “The financial savings are invaluable, but the strategic insight from volunteers is even more beneficial for advancing our mission.”
Powered by a Network of Funders
This achievement has been made possible through the financial backing of key partners, including:
- San Antonio Area Foundation
- Methodist Healthcare Ministries
- Nancy Smith Hurd Foundation
- Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country
- H.E. Butt Foundation
- K Harvey Brand Partners
- Kronkosky Charitable Foundation
- LISC San Antonio
- San Antonio Area African American Community Fund
These funders enabled local nonprofits to access crucial expert support that would otherwise be prohibitively expensive, empowering them to enhance their internal systems, improve their impact, and recover from the challenges of recent years.
“As needs are growing in San Antonio, the resilience of nonprofits is more critical than ever,” remarked Dinnin. “With nonprofit staff experiencing burnout at an all-time high, Catchafire serves as a game-changer by unlocking the potential of pro-bono volunteering that gives staff some relief and sustains cash flow for nonprofits.”
About Social Venture Partners San Antonio
SVPSA is a collaborative network of local philanthropists and changemakers dedicated to strengthening San Antonio’s nonprofit ecosystem. By contributing their time, resources, and connections, SVPSA partners aspire to create a more robust, vibrant community.