Innovation Catalyst Application 2018 |
Eligibility & Participation Requirements
To apply for the Innovation Catalyst, you must meet all of the following criteria:
- An established nonprofit
- A current member of the Center for Nonprofit Management
- A current profile on the Community Foundation’s GivingMatters.com website
Applicants must:
• Submit a completed application no later than Monday, December 10.
• Be prepared to cover the agency out-of-pocket portion of the costs (25% of the total consulting project cost, which is likely up to $4,500).
• Applicants must be available for an interview on Tuesday, January 8 or Wednesday, January 9. Executive director AND a board member should attend if at all possible. Interviews will be scheduled the week of December 17, if not earlier.
• Commit to full participation in the Innovation Catalyst program by designating the project as a strategic priority and through your identified Impact Team.
• Building an Impact Team (description below)
• Participating in group sessions and plan presentations (meetings every 3 or 4 weeks for nine months);
• Developing, over the course of the program, a detailed business plan to launch-ready status
• Submit a completed application no later than Monday, December 10.
• Be prepared to cover the agency out-of-pocket portion of the costs (25% of the total consulting project cost, which is likely up to $4,500).
• Applicants must be available for an interview on Tuesday, January 8 or Wednesday, January 9. Executive director AND a board member should attend if at all possible. Interviews will be scheduled the week of December 17, if not earlier.
• Commit to full participation in the Innovation Catalyst program by designating the project as a strategic priority and through your identified Impact Team.
• Building an Impact Team (description below)
• Participating in group sessions and plan presentations (meetings every 3 or 4 weeks for nine months);
• Developing, over the course of the program, a detailed business plan to launch-ready status
The Impact Team is responsible for guiding the process of program review and new venture development. Functionally, the team makes recommendations to the executive director and board. The team is recruited by the executive director or CEO, with help from the board chair and/or an Internal Champion. In most cases, the Internal Champion organizes and facilitates the catalyst meetings, with assistance from outside counsel. Organizations that are selected to participate will collaborate with cross-sector community partners included on the Impact Team.
Team Role and Responsibilities:
• Offer advice and guidance based on experience in entrepreneurial business, marketing, and/or strategic planning.
• Assigning a project leader from the agency’s leadership tea
• Challenge assumptions and ask questions, acting as skeptics when necessary in order to keep plans firmly grounded in reality.
• Assist in establishing evaluation criteria, reviewing program analysis results, and making recommendations regarding re-balancing of resources.
• Serve as a sounding board for the project management team as information and research findings are presented.
• Assist in the opportunity research or feasibility study phase by offering ideas on resources for information and community connections.
• Take an active and vocal role in providing the organization with a fresh perspective.
• Assist in analyzing the results of the planning process and formulating recommendations to the board of directors regarding next action steps.
• Share business expertise in various aspects of organizational management: human resource development, marketing, financial systems, cost/benefit analysis, and services expertise.
• Help the organization develop market positioning and strategies for key products and services or develop business plan outlines for new high potential ideas.
• Serve as a guide for implementation, and provide feedback from general community stakeholders.
• Offer advice and guidance based on experience in entrepreneurial business, marketing, and/or strategic planning.
• Assigning a project leader from the agency’s leadership tea
• Challenge assumptions and ask questions, acting as skeptics when necessary in order to keep plans firmly grounded in reality.
• Assist in establishing evaluation criteria, reviewing program analysis results, and making recommendations regarding re-balancing of resources.
• Serve as a sounding board for the project management team as information and research findings are presented.
• Assist in the opportunity research or feasibility study phase by offering ideas on resources for information and community connections.
• Take an active and vocal role in providing the organization with a fresh perspective.
• Assist in analyzing the results of the planning process and formulating recommendations to the board of directors regarding next action steps.
• Share business expertise in various aspects of organizational management: human resource development, marketing, financial systems, cost/benefit analysis, and services expertise.
• Help the organization develop market positioning and strategies for key products and services or develop business plan outlines for new high potential ideas.
• Serve as a guide for implementation, and provide feedback from general community stakeholders.