Home
Who We Are
Giving & Donor Services
Grants & Scholarships
Press & Publications
Services for Nonprofit Staff and Boards
Special Projects
For Professional Advisors
Site Map


370 Main Street
Suite 650
Worcester, MA 01608
(508) 755-0980

Contact Us

Organization Assistance Fund
Guidelines

The Organization Assistance Fund is a grant resource established by Greater Worcester Community Foundation and other local foundations committed to supporting a healthy nonprofit sector in Central Massachusetts. It is administered by the Nonprofit Support Center (NSC).

ELIGIBILITY
To be considered, your organization must:

  1. be incorporated as a 501(c)(3) organization located in Central Massachusetts;
  2. must be a previous discretionary grant recipient;
  3. have been in operation at least two years; and
  4. demonstrate board and staff agreement that outside assistance is needed and will contribute to long-term organizational strength.

FOCUS

Managing change and growth. The need for assistance is generally made evident by one of the following conditions or issues:

  1. a major change in the external environment
  2. a lack of internal ability to address a critical organizational challenge, e.g. financial analysis and management
  3. an interest in pursuing an alliance with another organization
  4. governance issues
  5. leadership transition or support
  6. desire to undertake organizational planning

PURPOSE
Grants are used to fund consultant fees. The term consultant may be defined in a variety of ways. Among them:

  1. Someone who provides organizational development or issue-specific services;
  2. A peer who has particular expertise in the area needing attention; or
  3. A coach.

GRANT SIZE
Generally, awards range in size from $5,000 to $20,000. Grantees must provide matching funds, which will range from 5% to 50%. Your matching amount will be determined in relation to organizational budget size and the particular project you are undertaking.

 

PRIORITY
Organizations that enhance the health and vibrancy of the community and that have annual operating budgets that do not exceed $2 million (exclusive of pass-through monies).

 

PROCEDURE

  1. Contact NSC staff member Gail Randall to discuss your needs. Confidentiality is an important value for NSC in all its work and will be maintained throughout the process.
     
  2. You may be asked to schedule a two-hour organizational review, which will be conducted by NSC at your site, and will include up to ten members of your board and staff. This meeting focuses on your organization's strengths and challenges as you perceive them. There is no preparation necessary on the part of participants, however, NSC must receive the following information from the chief staff person two weeks prior to the meeting:
     
    1. mission statement
    2. bylaws
    3. most recent statement of financial position (balance sheet), current budget, latest monthly report showing budget to actual, and most recent audited financial statements
    4. organizational chart
    5. strategic plan, if you have one
       
  3. You will receive written recommendations within four weeks of this meeting, including opportunities for accessing services provided by NSC. You may be invited to apply to the Organization Assistance Fund. If you are, the invitation will include a specific dollar amount available from NSC and the matching percentage you will need to provide.
     
  4. Please accept or decline the invitation in writing within three weeks. If you are accepting, tell us when we may expect your written proposal. Both executive director and board chair must sign this letter.
     
  5. Begin interviewing consultants to assist with your project. Interview at least two. Request a work plan from each. The plans will be an important component of your written proposal.

If you need assistance in identifying consultants, a directory is available through NSC. NSC assumes no liability for any aspect of work resulting from a consultancy or for the relationship between the consultant and the hiring organization.
 

Once the above steps have been taken, please follow these guidelines for submitting a proposal to the Organization Assistance Fund:

1. Send a written request to NSC with responses to the following questions:

  1. In what specific ways do you want your organization to be different, stronger, more capable as a result of this intervention?
  2. What are the current conditions in the area(s) you seek to strengthen?
  3. How will you know that you are moving in a positive direction towards your goals? What would cause you to make mid-course corrections to the original work plan?
  4. What steps will you take to learn from the process and evaluate its success?
  5. How will the outcomes you achieve contribute to the long-term stability of your organization?

2. Attach work plans from two consultants, including timelines. Tell us how the consultant plans to transfer knowledge to your organization, and why you have selected one consultant over another.

 

GRANT DECISIONS

Decisions are based on written proposals and are made by NSC staff with possible input from one or more members of the NSC Advisory Committee. Decisions will be made as quickly as possible, and within thirty days of proposal receipt.

 

REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
1. A meeting with NSC staff mid-way through the consultancy to discuss progress and possible refinements.

2. A written evaluation at the end of the project that:

  1. provides specific examples of changes made;
  2. indicates how you will build upon these changes to ensure long-term organizational strength; and
  3. describes strengths and weaknesses of the process.

Organization Assistance Fund grants are confidential and are shared only by the applicant organization as it so chooses. Grants do not preclude an organization from applying for other types of support from Greater Worcester Community Foundation.

For more information or to discuss your request, please contact: Gail Randall, Special Projects Officer, at (508) 755-0980.