Catchafire Ignites Innovation Across Jewish Atlanta

When Samatha Kurgan, who heads JInnovate at Federation, first introduced Catchafire to the JInnovate community, she saw an opportunity to transform how small nonprofits access the expertise they need to grow. What began as a pilot program through JInnovate is now becoming a powerful resource for all nonprofits in Jewish Atlanta. 

“Catchafire is like giving Jewish Atlanta nonprofits access to an entire professional department,” Heather Blake, Ecosystem Manager, explained. “It’s a platform where nonprofits can connect with skilled volunteers—from marketing professionals and data analysts to HR experts and public speaking coaches—who donate their time to strengthen community organizations.” 

For organizations like Bagel Rescue and The Sandwich Project, the results have been extraordinary. 

For Erin Stieglitz, founder of Bagel Rescue, Catchafire came at a critical time in her organization’s growth. “It’s been such a phenomenal resource for us, especially early on when we didn’t have the budget for experts,” she said. Through the platform, Bagel Rescue has completed over a dozen projects—from a full website redesign to a professional brand book and even an illustrated children’s book called If You Give a Boy a Bagel. 

“These are projects we never could have afforded,” Stieglitz said. “We’ve saved more than $36,000 in professional costs. But more than that, Catchafire has increased our productivity and elevated our brand. It’s like having a big company’s marketing department at our fingertips.” 

At The Sandwich Project, Co-Founder Marcy Louza said Catchafire’s value goes beyond individual projects. “It got us motivated internally,” she explained. “When you post a project, you have to ask: What do we really need? Who will lead this? What are our priorities?” That intentional reflection led her team to sharpen their goals and processes. 

Louza credits Catchafire with helping The Sandwich Project develop a data collection plan that transformed how they track sandwich donations and plan for high- and low-volume weeks. “It forced us to take a step back and look at the big picture,” she said. “It’s been a game-changer for our organization.” 

Now, with Federation’s investment and donor support, Federation is expanding Catchafire access to all Jewish Atlanta nonprofits. “This is Federation at its best,” says Heather. “We’re not just a funder—we’re a convener and a resource. Donors make it possible for us to give Jewish Atlanta organizations the tools to grow stronger, smarter, and more sustainable.” 

Through this expansion, dozens of organizations—from synagogues to social service agencies—will soon access professional-grade expertise at no cost. 

“It’s more than giving someone a consultant,” Heather says. “It’s about empowering leaders to dream bigger and execute better. When Jewish Atlanta nonprofits thrive, our entire community thrives.” 

And thanks to the generosity of Federation donors, Jewish Atlanta’s capacity to serve, connect, and innovate just got a whole lot stronger. 

Jewish Atlanta nonprofits are invited to A Deep Dive into Catchafire: A Hands-On Workshop for Jewish Atlanta Nonprofits on November 20, 8:30-10:30 am. 
Join Catchafire’s Director of Nonprofit Success for a two-hour, in-person workshop designed specifically for Jewish Atlanta organizations. This session will walk you through the ins and outs of Catchafire—from setting up your profile to posting projects and engaging with skilled volunteers. Whether you’re just getting started or want to build confidence using the platform, this interactive workshop will provide practical guidance, real examples, and plenty of time for questions. Learn more and register here.