MISSOULA PROJECT FOR NONPROFIT EXCELLENCE
Capacity Building Grants Program- 2016 Program Overview
INTRODUCTION
The Missoula Project for Nonprofit Excellence (MPNE) is a capacity building grants program being
conducted as a pilot in partnership with the Helena-based Big Sky Institute for the Advancement of
Nonprofits (BSI). The Missoula Community Foundation is the hub for coordinating MPNE, and is
working with BSI, the Llewellyn Foundation, Oro y Plata Foundation and Martha Newell in funding,
program design and implementation, grantee selection and program sustainability. Supporting funders
include The Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation, Drollinger Family Foundation and United Way of
Missoula County.
Origins: In 2008, BSI partnered with a group of Montana foundations to collaboratively design a
pioneering approach to capacity building grantmaking for rural states like Montana, that have limited
in-state foundation resources. BSI's Montana Nonprofit Connections program (MNC) evolved from these
efforts, and began a multi-year Demonstration Phase that ran three cycles of grant awards to test and
refine the MNC approach, concluding in 2012. The MNC grants program helps strengthen the capacity
and management capabilities of nonprofit organizations in Montana. The expectation is that awardees
will become more effective and efficient in managing their internal operations, and in serving clients,
program participants, and their communities.
Summary: Using a two-step approach, MPNE's grant program will provide guidance and support for an
organization's board of directors and staff to:
1. Assessment Award: Participate in a comprehensive organizational assessment to determine the
nonprofit's strengths, weakness, and priorities for improvement. The process is facilitated by an
experienced nonprofit consultant (selected by MPNE) who provides a written report of findings
and recommendations.
2. Project Grant Award: Retain a consultant to assist the organization to undertake and complete a
capacity building project that addresses a priority need identified through the assessment
process.
PHASE I- SELECTION
Orientation for Interested Nonprofits
The Missoula Community Foundation will hold at least one (and more if interest warrants) orientation
session for nonprofits that want to learn more about the grant opportunity, eligibility requirements, the
application process, and related program components. Those who want to pursue the grant opportunity
will be advised to complete the Capacity-building Assessment Self Survey, which is available on the
Missoula Community Foundation's website.
Th e Mi ssoul a P r oje ct fo r Nonp r o fi t Ex cell enc e
A Funders Collaborative Sponsored by the Missoula Community Foundation
STEP 1- PRE-APPLICATION
Readiness Assessment Survey
MPNE uses a readiness assessment survey designed to identify potential barriers to successful
participation in the MPNE opportunity. Called the Capacity-building Assessment Self-Survey (CASS), the
questionnaire is completed by both the board chairperson and the executive director of the applicant
organization, so that differences in perception can be identified. The questions touch on such areas as
anticipated changes in board or staff leadership over the next 6 to 12 months; board engagement, such
as how often quorum is achieved; capacity to carry out an assessment and consulting project; stability of
funding; and planning practices the organization regularly uses.
The CASS is due by midnight on Thursday, January 7, 2016.
The completed surveys are reviewed by the MPNE assessment process coordinator, who schedules an
interview with the board chairperson and the executive director. The interview is intended to help
ensure that the nonprofit is ready to undertake this program of capacity building, and that potential
barriers for success are identified and addressed.
Nonprofits that aren’t selected to apply will be given suggestions of what they can do to prepare for next
year’s grant cycle.
STEP 2- APPLICATION
Based on the results of the surveys and interview, the MPNE assessment process coordinator will
determine if the nonprofit is ready to undertake this program.
Nonprofits deemed ready to undertake the program are directed to an online application form.
Applications are due by midnight Thursday, February 11, 2016.
STEP 3- SELECTION
Project partners will review the applications and will select two organizations for an assessment award.
Applicants will be notified by Friday, March 11, 2016.
PHASE II- ASSESSMENT AWARD
The MPNE assessment component provides a professionally facilitated, comprehensive organizational
assessment involving the board of directors and key staff leadership. The process builds board and staff
consensus about near-term organizational capacity building priorities and leads to a choice of one
project to be funded by a project grant award.
STEP 1- ORIENTATION
MPNE awardees will attend an orientation session to set the stage for a successful experience, and to
allow grantees to get acquainted with each other.
Th e Mi ssoul a P r oje ct fo r Nonp r o fi t Ex cell enc e
A Funders Collaborative Sponsored by the Missoula Community Foundation
STEP 2- ONLINE SURVEY
The primary assessment tool MPNE uses is an online survey developed by the Institute for Conservation
Leadership, which has broad applicability to most nonprofits. The multi-step process identifies
organizational strengths and opportunities for improvement in governance and the management of
internal operations – from financial management and fundraising to human resource management and
organizational planning.
STEP 3- ORGANIZATIONAL ASSESSMENT
Assessments are conducted by an independent consultant who is assigned by the MPNE assessment
process coordinator to each awardee. The consultant reviews an array of background materials, works
with an assessment leadership team comprised of board members and staff, and submits a written
report that summarizes survey results and other findings, plus recommendations for capacity building
priorities.
STEP 4- EVALUATION
Upon completion of the Organizational Assessment component, the awardee will complete a brief,
written evaluation of the process and the assessment consultant.
PHASE III- PROJECT AWARD
STEP 1- ORIENTATION
Following the successful completion of the organizational assessment, the awardee is invited to submit
an application for funding to support a capacity building project based on the priorities that emerged. In
order to support this process, applicants will attend an orientation and training for leadership on the
following topics:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Completing the project grant award application
Recruiting and selecting a consultant
Establishing a scope of work
Tips for working with a consultant
STEP 2- APPLICATION
Up to $5,000 is allocated per grant award, primarily to underwrite the fees and if needed, travel costs,
of an external consultant to assist the organization to accomplish its capacity building project. Up to
15% of the grant award can be used to fund organizational costs such as board member travel costs,
meeting costs and staff time.
Applicants are encouraged to augment the grant award with either cash or in-kind support. During the
MNC Demonstration Phase, some successful awardees leveraged their grant awards to secure additional
funding to expand their capacity building projects.
STEP 3-IMPLEMENTATION
The awardee will implement the project with the guidance of an independent consultant.
Th e Mi ssoul a P r oje ct fo r Nonp r o fi t Ex cell enc e
A Funders Collaborative Sponsored by the Missoula Community Foundation
STEP 4- EVALUATION
Upon completion of the project award component, the awardee will complete a brief, written evaluation
of the process and the assessment consultant.
Th e Mi ssoul a P r oje ct fo r Nonp r o fi t Ex cell enc e
A Funders Collaborative Sponsored by the Missoula Community Foundation
MISSOULA PROJECT FOR NONPROFIT EXCELLENCE
Key Considerations for Nonprofits
ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE
If the following statements are true, your nonprofit should consider applying for a MPNE grant.
1. Leadership is stable.
2. The organization is not in the midst of a crisis.
3. Board and staff:
a. Share the desire to undertake an organizational assessment.
b. Are committed to the assessment and priority-setting process.
c. Have a desire to implement recommended improvements.
d. Are willing to engaging in follow-up activities.
TIME COMMITMENT
The assessment process is based on a comprehensive organizational assessment that is conducted using
an online survey. The nonprofit recruits and convenes a leadership team consisting of a roughly equal
number of staff and board members to act as the main contact with the assessment consultant.
Based on the experience of past awardees under the MNC Demonstration Phase, we estimate the
following time commitments for each individual to participate in the assessment process:
●
The Lead Contact Person for the process, usually the Executive Director: an average of 5.6 hours
(examples of tasks: process planning, phone calls with the assessment consultant, internal
communications about the process)
●
The Leadership Team: an average of 6.4 hours (examples of tasks: phone and in-person meetings
with the assessment consultant, reviewing draft reports)
●
Staff Members: an average of 1.8 hours (examples of tasks: completing the online survey,
meetings)
●
Board Members: an average of 2.6 hours (examples of tasks: meetings to set priorities for future
work, completing the online survey, reading reports)
In considering the time commitment for this process, keep in mind that one person might serve in
multiple roles. For example, the Executive Director will often serve as the lead contact for the process
(5.6 hours); sit on the Leadership Team (6.4 hours); take the online survey as a staff member (1.8
hours); and attend all meetings of the board/governance members to set priorities and discuss the
report (2.6 hours). So the total time commitment for the “average” Executive Director in prior cycles
was 16.4 hours.
Th e Mi ssoul a P r oje ct fo r Nonp r o fi t Ex cell enc e
A Funders Collaborative Sponsored by the Missoula Community Foundation