RichCity Cohort, CA
Together for 5 years
Each Cohort lasts five years so relationships can strengthen, processes can develop, and internal structures can be built. Together, NIAD, Urban Tilth, and YES Nature to Neighborhoods meet quarterly to present grant proposals to each other, vote on new grants, share progress updates, and seek advice on new challenges as they build capacity and grow.
The mission of NIAD Art Center’s is to promote creative expression, independence, dignity, and inclusion through its fine art studio, exhibitions, and community programs designed by and with adult artists with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and NIAD’s collaborating partners in the art world and beyond.
Founded 1982
The mission of Urban Tilth is to hire and train local residents to cultivate agriculture in West Contra Costa County to increase access to healthy food and help our community build a more sustainable, healthy, and just food system.
Founded 2005
The mission of YES Nature to Neighborhoods is, in partnership with nature, to nurture leaders who champion the well-being of our community.
Founded 1999
Long-Term Community Investment
Magic Cabinet prioritizes community-born, led, and serving organizations to build their capacity and accelerate their impact. We believe if given the time, tools, and resources they ask for, the organizations and the communities they serve will flourish.
Capacity Building Projects Overview
An effective nonprofit is more than its programs. Each Cohort has access up to $2.5m through collectively approved capacity-building grants— approximately $500k available each year. Every Cohort member faces unique challenges and opportunities for their organization; that’s why they determine how to leverage Magic Cabinet funds.
Native Voices Rising has launched their 2025 Grantmaking Cycle, which will provide general operating support to strengthen Native-led groups that have a membership base in the community, work to develop leadership, and take collective action to win progressive social change.
Sometimes, getting to yes means rewriting the rules. When our capacity-building model became too limiting, we trusted the expertise of our partners—seeding an idea that took root among multiple Magic Cabinet cohorts.
Several of our nonprofit partners are redefining what innovation looks like—using multi-year, capacity-building funding from Magic Cabinet to build critical infrastructure within their organizations and explore new revenue streams, setting them on a sustainable path for the future.