Examples of eligible projects include:

• Strategic planning
• Board development strategy
• Funding strategy
• Strategic growth and scaling
• Merger, collaborations, or strategic alliance exploration
• Communications strategy development
• Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access (DEIA) strategy
• CEO/Executive Director succession planning

Examples of projects that are outside of the scope of this grant:

• Capital campaigns
• Feasibility studies
• Staff training
• Technology investment
• Consulting activities that have occurred or been planned prior to receiving grant

Grant funds are intended to primarily cover consulting fees. Should consulting fees be less than $5,000 for the desired scope of work, funds may be used towards meeting costs (venue, food, etc.) and staff time to engage in the organizational development activities. Organizations may choose to expand the scope of work beyond the $5,000 grant with other funding sources. No partial grants will be awarded.

Strategic consulting engagements will require a significant investment of time and energy for staff and board leadership, typically over a 3 to 6-month period. Applicants will need to submit a letter signed by the Board Chair to confirm the organization’s commitment and readiness to take on the project. An organization may not be a good candidate for this grant if it is undergoing major upheaval (e.g., key leadership turnover, significant under-staffing, financial issues) or whose current capacity is otherwise limited.

Applicants will list at least 2-3 consultants they plan to interview for their project in the application. We have included a Directory of Nonprofit Consultants in NCW as a resource. The directory includes examples of the consultant’s past local clients to serve as references so that organizations can explore who might be a suitable match for their project needs. Applicants can also choose to work with someone outside of NCW. For a directory of consultants in the Pacific Northwest, check out 501 Commons’ Nonprofit Resource Directory.

• Organizations must be a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization serving and located in Chelan, Douglas, Okanogan, or Grant counties. Charitable nonprofits, serving and located in Chelan, Douglas, Okanogan, or Grant counties, that do not meet this criterion, can be fiscally sponsored by an organization that does. Government entities are not eligible.
• Grantees chosen in 2023 are not be eligible to apply in 2024.
• After grant decisions are announced on May 1st, grantees will have until June 30th to secure their consultant. Grants will be paid when the consultant, scope of work, and project timeline are confirmed. If the deadline is not met, funds may be allocated to another applicant on the waiting list.
• Grantees will be required to participate in a reporting process after the close of the grant.