Mission Accelerator Grant

Capacity-building grants to enable organizations to hire consultants to help their board and staff navigate and tackle a complex organizational challenge or opportunity that is critical to the organization’s ability to meet its mission, long-term success, and sustainability.

Mission Acceleration Grants

The Greater New Orleans Foundation (GNOF) is committed to strengthening the capacity of our region’s nonprofits to address the ever-evolving challenges and opportunities facing our communities. Capacity-building can help make an organization more focused, efficient, and productive. Capacity-building can also help an organization address an organizational challenge that is impeding its ability to meets its mission or to seize an opportunity to increase their impact.

To this end, GNOF’s Nonprofit Leadership and Effectiveness Initiative with support from the Kresge Foundation is excited to fund Mission Acceleration grants. Organizations that present a strong case for support will be invited to submit a letter of intent (LOI). Organizations whose letters are accepted will be invited to submit a full proposal for consideration for funding. We anticipate that this grant opportunity will be highly competitive.

Eligibility and Funding Priorities

Nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c) (3) organizations that serve the foundation’s 13-parish region are eligible to apply. Organizations that are not tax-exempt but have a fiscal agent relationship with a 501(c) (3) organization are also eligible. Eligible organizations must have a minimum of one paid employee and an annual operating budget of at least $100,000.

Organizations that are essential to the health and well-being of the region and its citizens will be prioritized. Additionally, priority consideration will be given to applicants that invest some of their own funds, or funds from an alternate source, in the project. Other eligibility criteria include:

• The project is critical to the organization’s ability to meet its mission, long-term success, and sustainability
• Address operational, management, or governance issues that affect the organization as a whole, rather than a single department or program.
• Demonstrate readiness for capacity building
• Board and senior leadership engagement in the project
• Standard financial management practices are in place
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion

Examples of capacity-building grants may include funding for time-sensitive projects, such as executive transitions and consolidation processes such as mergers, strategic partnerships, and closing responsibly. Other types of capacity-building eligible for funding include:

• Data Collection and Evaluation
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
• Executive and Leadership Coaching
• Financial Management and Planning
• Fund Development and Sustainability Planning
• Governance and Board Development
• Human resources, staffing, and operational planning
• Organizational Development/ Readiness (preparing to seek foundation or government funding)
• Strategic Communications and Planning
• Strategic Planning
• Succession Planning

Grants will range from $5,000-$25,000 depending on the need and request. Mission Acceleration Grants will primarily cover the cost of consultants. Other eligible expenses include:

• Assessments and other diagnostic tools
• Fees associated with executive coaching
• Workshop or conferences registration fees (travel is not eligible)
• Operational expenses associated with managing the project including staff time and meeting expenses (up to 10% of the project budget is allowed)

Mission Acceleration Grants will not support:

• Individuals, either through scholarships or other forms of financial assistance
• Grant writing services
• Printing or production of materials
• Capital including equipment and technology
• Special events
• Individual public, public charter, or private schools
• Scientific or medical research
• Programs that require adherence to any religious doctrine in order to receive program services
• Endowments

How to Inquire About Fit for a Mission Acceleration Grant?

Our Director of Nonprofit Leadership and Effectiveness is available for a call to hear about your project to determine whether or not it’s a good fit for a mission acceleration grant. Please note, calls will only be accepted with those organizations that meet the eligibility requirements. On the call you will be asked to:

• describe the challenge and/or opportunity that you will address through capacity building;
• describe the type of capacity building you are seeking; and
• explain how the project is critical to the organization’s ability to meet its mission and sustainability

Organizations that present a strong fit for a mission acceleration grant will be invited to submit a letter of intent. Please contact Kristen Craig (kristen@gnof.org) to schedule a call with the Director of Nonprofit Leadership and Effectiveness.

Have Questions?

Organizations that present a strong fit for a mission acceleration grant will be invited to submit a letter of intent. Please contact Kristen Craig (kristen@gnof.org) with how your organization intends to use the mission acceleration grant to schedule a call with the Director of Nonprofit Leadership and Effectiveness.