TeamUp Grants
The TeamUp program was launched in 2021 as the brainchild of the Connie Hillman Family Foundation, a leading philanthropic organization in our community with an exemplary track record of investing in large and small nonprofits to help build their organizations and fulfill their missions. In operating the Foundation, Larry Adamson observed a widespread need to knock down the biggest barrier for nonprofits that need help from consultants and coaches but lack the organizational resources to pay for it.
TeamUp FAQ
What organizations are eligible to participate?
Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status in Southern Arizona based in communities south of the Gila River. We welcome applicants from Cochise, Graham, Greenlee, Pima, Pinal, Santa Cruz, and Yuma counties.
How much will the consultants be paid?
All the consultants who join our consulting network will agree to a standard fee of $150/hour.
Do the nonprofits have to pay any of the costs?
Up to 20 hours of consulting/coaching will be fully underwritten; if an organization wishes to continue the consultant's engagement, additional fees will be borne by the nonprofit.
What kinds of consulting/coaching projects will be undertaken?
Projects will be short-term, limited to 20 hours of consultation. The timeline will be agreed upon between the nonprofit and consultant; TeamUp projects should generally be completed within a six-month period. While there are stated priority areas for funding, the types of projects could include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Information and Referral: Provide sample documents, resources in the community for do-it-yourself projects, IRS requirements, and potential fiscal sponsors.
- Review and Comment: Upon request, the consultant reviews and provides comments on governance documents, including bylaw revisions, committee charters, job descriptions for board members and volunteer leaders, personnel policies/employee handbooks, DEI statements, and codes of conduct.
- Assessment and Action Steps: Consultant conducts an assessment to evaluate the development plan and materials; marketing plan materials/website; DEI-related policies, procedures, and practices, etc. The consultant provides feedback and recommendations for the organization to consider/implement.
- Leadership Basics: A consultant may work with the board/staff to conduct a self-assessment, followed by interactive work that may include board or staff retreats, plans to diversify the board, and the development of a succession plan.
- Coaching: Consultant provides guidance to the CEO/ED, Board Chair, and board leadership, focusing on newly appointed and those in transition.
- Transformational Projects: Consultant engages with leaders seeking capacity-building to help their organizations advance to the next phase of growth; provides counsel to organizations interested in organizational restructuring; and guides organizations in need of a vision/mission.
What kinds of projects will not be undertaken?
Some longer-term, complex projects or unique challenges may be better suited to a direct contractual relationship with a consultant, such as the following:
- Filling what would otherwise be a staff job, such as an interim executive director or manager
- Conducting an Executive search
- Managing Capital campaigns/endowment campaigns
- Executing fundraising events
- Designing/building websites; implementing information technology projects
- Designing graphics/layout for marketing materials (logos, brochures, annual reports, letterhead)
- Writing grant proposals
Can a nonprofit apply for more than one project?
A maximum of one project per fiscal year may be considered for approval.
Will the participating nonprofits and projects be kept confidential?
The Center for Healthy Nonprofits will maintain a list of participating nonprofit organizations, which will be reported to the program's investors. However, in reporting to funders, including the board members and committees of the Community Foundation, which provide oversight, the projects will be described in a summary fashion by NTEE codes, budget size, geography, and other characteristics that will tell if we are achieving our goals of diversity and inclusion.
We are hyper-aware of nonprofits' reticence to reveal areas of weakness, out of fear that knowledge might disqualify them from future grants. We want to assure you that the Center programs and its director are not involved in grant-making decisions, and we will not be required to reveal confidential information about your organization to our funding sources. Of course, the consultants have a professional code of conduct, which means that they respect and honor confidential information they learn through their engagements.
What kind of reports will be required?
At the completion of the project, both the consultant and nonprofit will submit their own concise online reports on the project, its successes, their level of satisfaction, and the next steps they believe should be taken.
Important Dates
Coming soon!
Application Criteria
Coming soon!
How to Apply
Coming soon!