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CentroNía

CentroNía was among VPP’s earliest investments, and their partnership has helped shape both organizations. Today, CentroNía is an award-winning nonprofit bringing affordable education and family support services to more than 2,400 children and families across the Washington Metro Area.
Jurisdiction icon
Jurisdiction:
District of Columbia
Issue Area icon
Issue Area:
Boys and Young Men of Color
Career and College Readiness
Early Childhood Education
Partners icon
Partners:
CentroNía
Dates icon
Dates:
2002-2008
Amount icon
Amount of Investment:
$2,420,000
Opportunity icon
Investment Opportunity:

Venture Philanthropy Partners invested in CentroNía to help it expand from a single facility in Columbia Heights to managing child development programs, charter schools, and adult learning services in at least three additional sites. This expansion plan included serving new neighborhoods in the District and the Region.

  • Recruit key management and staff
  • Establish new governance structures related to its expansion plan
  • Define and implement strategies to finance the organization’s growth
  • Implement an outcomes framework to assess program effectiveness and contribute to ongoing management
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Key Accomplishments

  • Planning and Focus: Completed comprehensive strategic plan in December 2003, resulting in well-defined road map for program expansion and organizational capacity building.

  • Human Capital—Board and Management: Six new board members recruited with exceptional educational, business, legal, and development expertise. Established DC Bilingual Public Charter School Board. Strengthened management team with the recruitment of program manager and human resource manager.

  • Capitalization/Revenue: Receipt of $500 thousand Families Count award from Annie E. Casey Foundation, which highlighted achievement on a national scale. Established bilingual charter school for early childhood and elementary education, securing continual revenue streams for 11% (122 of 1,122 students). Received $3.2 million bond, resulting in surplus revenue for the organization.

  • Process Improvements: Outside consultant, Center for Management and Technology, completed an extensive cost-effectiveness and efficiency analysis of all operational areas, including finance, client intake, development, and administration. The analysis resulted in a clear plan for improving and streamlining administration throughout the organization—including recommendations for organizational changes to increase performance and accountability organization-wide.

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Key Accomplishments
What VPP brought was an opportunity to infuse resources into the organization that weren’t geared towards programs. They were about building the organization as a whole, which is really rare.
  • Beatriz “BB” Otero, Founder of CentroNía
CentroNía

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