Otha Cole

Otha Cole brings more than fifteen years of experience in nonprofit development, philanthropy, and intermediary support, working with organizations and social causes to address acute and systemic issues affecting communities across California. He draws on deep expertise in collaborative grantmaking and fiscal sponsorship to help philanthropic partners align resources, manage risk, and support durable impact.

Prior to joining Community Initiatives, Otha served as a liaison, technical advisor, and thought partner to fiscally-sponsored nonprofit social entrepreneurs seeking to sustain, scale or responsibly wind down their work. He also worked with the Play Equity Fund, where he helped launch the Alliance: Los Angeles, a collaborative initiative bringing together the 12 major professional sports teams in the region. Otha is a current co-director of the Nonprofit Sustainability Initiative (NSI), a pooled fund supporting organizations through transformation and transition.

Originally from Los Angeles, Otha earned a Master’s in Urban and Regional Planning from San Jose State University, specializing in community development, and a B.A. in Political Science from the University of California, Santa Barbara.