My vision is for Felton Institute to excel as a community innovation engine working with partners to drive positive and sustainable community-led change, thus ensuring access to innovative, high quality, evidence informed services.
— Al Gilbert, President & CEO, Felton Institute
Scaling & Optimization Services (SOS) is Felton Institute’s debut Technical Assistance Division. SOS provides dynamic consultation and innovative collaboration to the nonprofit and private sectors. SOS provides fiscal management; operations and program development; quality assurance and compliance; IT and HR support; strategic communications; governance and administration services, to name a few. Manager of Executive Initiatives, Jessica Evans, explained, “SOS is Felton’s technical assistance arm that supports community-based organizations in scaling their operations. We offer various services to community-based organizations to help promote their work and provide service delivery.” Caila Jones-Menefee, in her program oversight role as Associate Director of Strategic Initiatives added, “SOS is social entrepreneurship.”
Building upon Felton’s legacy of creating impactful change in the community, SOS fosters collaboration and partnerships that reach across economic, racial, cultural and geographic lines. With over 60 programs across ten counties, Felton’s programs and services support and empower a diverse range of individuals and communities. This groundbreaking work informs the implementation of SOS. Ms. Evans explained, “leveraging Felton’s successful services, whether its early child education, or senior services, or justice services, we come with that expertise and knowledge. There are so many nonprofits that we touch inadvertently [as we deliver services], so we already have an insight into the work they do.”
Both managers look to the future of the newest division with confidence. Ms. Jones-Menefee affirmed, “What excites me about SOS is that it’s the kind of vehicle by which folks who are on the ground doing the work can really push things forward for sustainable change. Regardless of the county, regardless of the contract, regardless of the differences that we encounter with our various partners. It’s a way to multiply,” adding “and that’s pretty exciting.”
To learn more, please visit our Scaling & Optimization Services (SOS) webpage.
Let’s Connect!
Whether you need fiscal sponsorship, administrative support, or strategic planning, we can help you scale and optimize your operations. Contact us today to discuss your needs and explore how we can support your organization’s growth!
Felton Institute responds to the needs of our community by providing innovative, evidence-informed social services to transform lives. Our organization offers 50+ programs that address mental health, the unhoused, early care and education, those impacted by the justice system, transitional age youth, as well as aging adults. Our award-winning programs, which have been recognized as national models, combine the latest scientific research with cultural sensitivity and a deep commitment to supporting and reflecting the communities we serve.
Founded in 1889, Felton is the oldest secular non-profit social services provider in the City and County of San Francisco. We have expanded our services across most Bay Area counties and continue to be at the forefront of pioneering new approaches to meet the emerging needs of underserved populations.
We know what it looks like to successfully build community.
We foster impactful change by strengthening the community as a premiere service provider. We also strengthen other service providers by supporting them in their fiscal, human resources, communications, IT and overall agency operations. With Felton’s support, they are able to focus on providing the best services to their clients, doing the work they were meant to do.
Felton empowers the community and ensures successful outcomes to all we engage with.
Felton Institute is a tax-exempt organization registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit under EIN 94-1156530.