Policies
Eligible
Activities
The specific costs associated with technical assistance, which are
eligible for funding include: consulting services, meeting support,
materials, and training designed to build the capacity of nonprofit
organizations. Two general categories of technical assistance have
been established: Management Assistance and Organizational Alternatives.
Eligible activities may be implemented in one or more Management
Assistance areas: Corporate Structure/Board of Directors, Legal,
Program, Human Resources, Finance, Fundraising, Marketing, Technology,
and Planning. In cases where a merger, restructuring, or other,
major organizational change is planned, the applicant may apply
under the second category, Organizational Alternatives.
The Fund underwrites projects which focus primarily on individual
organizations. Multi-organization proposals, i.e., collaborations,
will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, but will not be assigned
a higher priority.
In general, the Fund supports initiatives which build management
capacity. However, some requests may relate to programs, such as
management information systems, program planning, outcomes, etc.
In all cases, but particularly for program-related projects, the
applicant must clearly articulate the capacity-building benefits
and organizational impact of the planned technical assistance.
Grants will not be made to support the following activities: general
operations, equipment purchase, construction or rehabilitation of
facilities, emergency repairs, payroll needs, debt liquidation,
or routine financial audits. The Nonprofit Management Fund will
not underwrite expenses associated with capital campaigns, including
feasibility studies. Projects which request support for consultants
to perform staff functions will not receive funding.
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Proposal
Review
A consulting firm has been retained by the sponsoring funders to
assist in screening applicants; make grant recommendations; develop
a roster of available technical assistance resources; advise the
sponsors on the project; and, aid Fund applicants in preparing their
proposals where appropriate. The Fund Advisors, Patricia Wyzbinski
and Scott Gelzer from Management
Cornerstones, do not provide consultation or services other
than diagnostic clinics to organizations which qualify for the Nonprofit
Management Fund.
All proposals will be reviewed by the Fund Advisor and representatives
of the Fund's sponsors. Applicants may be visited or phoned for
clarification of their technical assistance needs as part of the
review process. A committee of representatives of the sponsoring
funders will make recommendations on the awards to the Board of
the Milwaukee Foundation for ratification.
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Applicant
Qualifications
Small and medium-sized private, nonprofit, tax-exempt [501(c)3],
organizations which have been in existence for at least two years
and serve Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington or Waukesha county are
eligible. Human service, arts and culture, community and economic
development, and other organizations whose staff and Board portray
a high level of commitment to the project will be the priority.
The primary target group of the Fund will be organizations which
lack the capacity to underwrite technical assistance within their
operating budgets. Organizations with annual operating budgets over
$3,000,000 dollars will not be considered.
Religious organizations will be considered for projects that serve
the general community or neighborhood beyond the membership of the
applicant. Projects to promote a particular denomination or faith
will not be considered. This policy is not intended to discourage
faith-based community or human service programs from applying to
the Nonprofit Management Fund.
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Pre-application
Assistance
Organizations, which are unclear of their management needs, may
request a meeting with the Fund Advisors in advance of submitting
their proposal to the Nonprofit Management Fund. This meeting can
review perceived management problems facing the organization, identify
possible strategies to address the management challenges, and discuss
next steps.
If it is determined that a more in-depth assessment is warranted,
the Fund Advisors may recommend that the organization participate
in a "diagnostic clinic", involving the review of corporate documents
and meetings with both management staff and Board Directors. The
analysis of these sessions will result in a series of recommendations
about management priorities. The Fund Advisors will facilitate the
sessions, however, the Fund Advisors will not serve as consultants
for any subsequent technical assistance.
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Proposal
Format
A grant application must be completed by all qualified organizations.
It is particularly important that the applicant submit materials
describing the consultant and the services that will be provided
to the applicant. The consultant's workplan should clearly identify
expected outcomes of the consultation. Additional materials beyond
those listed on the application form are not encouraged.
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Matching
Funds
A cash or in-kind match is encouraged, but neither is required by
the Nonprofit Management Fund.
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Awards
Grants will be project-specific, non-renewable, and range from $1,000-$10,000
in the Milwaukee Fund; grants for the Waukesha cycles will range
from $500 - $7,500. They are awarded at one of four meetings of
the Fund annually in Milwaukee and during one of two meetings in
Waukesha. Given relatively scarce funding resources and the highly
competitive nature of the grants process, awards at the highest
level of this range are not typical.
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Reporting
Requirements
Organizations receiving a restricted grant from the Nonprofit Management
Fund must submit a report on project outcomes and an evaluation
of the consultant within 30 days of the completion of the project.
A copy of the document(s) produced as part of the consultation must
be included with the final report.
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Technical
Assistance Categories
As an information service to applicants, the Nonprofit Management
Fund has developed its website to feature a Consultant's Registry.
This Registry provides an initial listing of consultants, but is
not to be construed as an endorsement or as a limit of choice to
those consultants listed. Consultants and other providers of technical
assistance, which are based outside Wisconsin, are not listed. The
directory is available on-line through the "Consultants Registry"
section of this website.
Click here for a comprehensive
list.
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Repeat
Applicants
In order for a nonprofit organization to submit another application
to the Fund within one year of receipt of a grant, all commitments
from the previous award must be completed and the final report submitted.
For those applicants which did not receive a grant, they must contact
the Fund Advisors prior to submitting another application.
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