Mockingbird Incubator

Mockingbird Incubator supports and trains activists, grassroots organizers, and early-stage/emerging nonprofits to increase the impact of their work. We offer tailored mentorship, resources, and support to nonprofit leaders, helping them build sustainable and impactful organizations.

Founded with a mission to empower grassroots organizations, Mockingbird Incubator nurtures early-stage nonprofits to drive impactful change in their communities. Since 2019, we have been a launching pad for visionaries who seek to tackle critical social issues—from youth education and environmental sustainability to community health and cultural preservation. Mockingbird Incubator provides tailored support that goes beyond traditional capacity-building, offering mentorship, strategic planning, and hands-on training designed specifically for emerging nonprofits.

Our unique model empowers leaders with the tools they need to create sustainable organizations, amplifying their reach and deepening their impact. We work closely with each incubated organization, recognizing their unique challenges and providing the knowledge, resources, and support necessary to overcome barriers to growth. Over the past two years, we have introduced fiscal sponsorship as an even deeper way of incubating emerging nonprofits with the support they need to thrive. Through our programs, we foster resilience, adaptability, and a strong network of changemakers committed to justice, equity, and progress.

To date, Mockingbird Incubator has supported over 200 nonprofits, empowering them to secure funding, establish foundational operations, and expand services that directly uplift their communities. Through our rigorous curriculum, we guide emerging organizations through the fundamentals of nonprofit management—from strategic planning and budgeting to volunteer engagement and impact measurement—equipping them with the skills necessary for lasting success. Additionally, our fiscal sponsorship services allow nonprofits to access essential funding opportunities and navigate complex financial landscapes without the administrative burden, letting them focus on what truly matters: their mission.

Our incubator alumni and fiscally sponsored projects are making tangible differences in their communities across diverse fields: from developing arts programs that nurture youth creativity, to establishing food security initiatives for under-resourced neighborhoods, to pioneering mental health support networks for marginalized communities. They are also advancing advocacy efforts, such as pushing for environmental justice in underserved areas, supporting immigrant rights, and creating accessible pathways for career development.

Mockingbird Incubator thrives on the belief that local solutions can lead to global change, and we are dedicated to unlocking the potential of small, community-driven organizations that might otherwise struggle to achieve their missions. Join us as we continue to foster the next generation of nonprofit leaders who are shaping a better, more equitable world.

Mockingbird Incubator is poised to expand its impact, yet as a small team of three dedicated individuals, our ability to grow is limited by the resources needed to sustain and scale our operations. To meet the rising demand for our services and support more visionary leaders, we have identified five critical areas of need:

Capacity Building: To continue providing tailored support to emerging nonprofits, we require resources to strengthen our internal capacity. This includes investing in program development, training materials, and advanced tools that will allow us to enhance our curriculum and deliver high-quality services more efficiently.

Expanding Cohorts: Our current cohort model successfully equips new nonprofit leaders, but our reach is limited. Additional funding would enable us to increase the number of cohorts we can serve each year from two to four, extending our support to more mission-driven organizations seeking to make an impact in underserved communities. We also plan to launch a brand new, Incubator 2.0 course to engage alumni and continue their development in more advanced areas of nonprofit management.

Growth in Fiscal Sponsorship: With many emerging nonprofits in need of fiscal sponsorship, we are committed to scaling this essential service. Increased support will help us onboard and manage a greater number of fiscally sponsored projects, ensuring they have the resources and guidance needed to succeed in their early stages.

Sustaining Operations: A small but mighty team, we need financial support to maintain day-to-day operations as we grow. This includes funding for core staffing and administrative costs, as well as increased insurance costs, allowing our team to focus on delivering transformative services without compromising our own sustainability.

Our goal for 2025 is to raise approximately $75,000 in contributed funds to support these areas of need.

By investing in these areas, Mockingbird Incubator can empower more grassroots organizations to thrive, strengthening the nonprofit sector and amplifying community-driven change. Together, we can build a future where every nonprofit has the support they need to succeed.

Mockingbird Incubator is based in Los Angeles, California, but engages emerging nonprofits and grassroots activists across California and nationally.

As the Executive Director of Mockingbird Incubator, I am incredibly proud of the work we do to uplift and empower emerging nonprofits. At Mockingbird, we don’t just equip these nonprofits with skills; we journey with them, sharing their aspirations and helping them overcome the inevitable challenges of the nonprofit industrial complex. We founded Mockingbird to dismantle the traditional gatekeeping barriers that too often limit access to resources, mentorship, and financial support for grassroots organizations. Our mission is to remove these barriers and open up opportunities for passionate leaders, especially those from underrepresented communities, to thrive in the nonprofit sector.

What makes Mockingbird distinctive is our commitment to equitable, hands-on support that meets each organization where they are. We don’t offer one-size-fits-all solutions. Instead, we craft a tailored approach for every nonprofit we serve, recognizing the specific needs, challenges, and unique missions of each. Through our inclusive curriculum, comprehensive fiscal sponsorship services, and individualized mentorship, we ensure that the tools and resources of the nonprofit world are accessible to all, regardless of background or experience.

Our small but mighty team of three brings relentless dedication to breaking down these barriers. We work closely with our cohort members, not only teaching but walking alongside them as they grow, from first-time fundraisers to seasoned community advocates. Each nonprofit’s success strengthens our shared community, and we believe that when gatekeeping is removed, a more just, vibrant, and resilient sector can flourish.

To sustain this work and continue expanding access to nonprofit capacity-building resources, we need the support of people like you. Your investment fuels a movement to liberate nonprofit management, creating space for visionary leaders and supporting meaningful change across communities. Thank you for standing with us as we build a future where nonprofits are supported based on their potential, not on their ability to navigate an exclusive system.

In Solidarity,

Jessica Payne, Executive Director

As Board Chair of Mockingbird Incubator, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing the incredible impact this organization has on emerging nonprofits. From a governance perspective, our journey has been marked by successes that affirm our mission and challenges that drive our growth. Watching our team empower grassroots leaders to break down barriers and amplify community-driven change has been inspiring. These leaders, many of whom may have never imagined themselves at the helm of a nonprofit, are now equipped with the knowledge and tools to sustain real, lasting impact.

One of our biggest successes has been the expansion of our fiscal sponsorship program, which opens doors for nonprofit leaders who might otherwise be held back by the complexities of starting and managing a nonprofit organization. Through our sponsorship, they can focus on their missions with the peace of mind that Mockingbird is providing guidance and operational support. Yet, as we grow, we are continuously learning how to navigate the responsibilities and best practices that come with fiscal sponsorship. Ensuring that we operate with the highest standards of governance, financial oversight, and accountability is an ongoing priority.

We are addressing these challenges by becoming active participants in the national community of fiscal sponsors, learning directly from those who set the gold standard. This network not only helps us refine our practices but also inspires us to adopt innovative approaches tailored to the unique needs of the small nonprofits we serve. Our commitment is not just to meet industry standards but to advance them, ensuring our sponsored organizations receive support that is both rigorous and adaptable.

Personally, I am incredibly proud of Mockingbird’s leadership and our team’s dedication to upholding our values of inclusivity, innovation, and accountability. We believe that by addressing these challenges with intention and transparency, we can continue to deliver on our mission with integrity. I am grateful to everyone who supports our vision and invites others to join us as we work to create a nonprofit sector that is accessible, resilient, and poised for positive change.

Sincerely,

Jose Ibarra, Mockingbird Incubator Board Chair