2026 Consulting Grant

SVP Boston runs an annual grant cycle focused on emerging nonprofits ready to scale impact and improve sustainability. Selected organizations receive a 12-month engagement (with option to extend up to 24 months) with a dedicated SVPB Engagement Team of experienced consultants providing pro bono capacity-building support valued at $250,000, plus financial grants.

Award Details

Number of Awardees: Four (4) nonprofits selected annually

Consulting Support (Pro Bono, Valued at $250,000):

• Strategic planning
• Financial strategy
• Fundraising strategy
• Board governance
• Communications
• Organizational development
• Additional smaller projects as they arise

Financial Grant: Minimum of $5,000 after six (6) months of engagement; distributed subject to need, engagement progress, and SVPB's Investment Committee review

Geographic Scope

• Primary Service Area: Greater Boston, including Gateway cities

Mission Focus Areas

Organizations must have missions focused on economic mobility through:

• Food Security
• Housing Access
• Education and Workforce Development
• Workforce Preparedness

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant organizations must:

• Be a registered 501(c)(3) public charity
• Have an annual budget ideally between $500K–$3M
• Primarily serve constituents in Greater Boston, including Gateway cities
• Have a mission focused on economic mobility (food security, housing access, education, workforce development)
• Be ready to scale impact and improve sustainability
• Have a leadership team open to collaboration and change
• Commit to fully engaging with the SVPB team

What SVPB Does Not Fund

• Government agencies or public schools
• Organizations promoting religion or religious ideology
• Organizations that discriminate against people of color, immigrants, or LGBTQIA+ individuals

Selection Process

SVP Boston uses a rigorous multi-stage selection process:

1. Organizations apply with Letter of Intent (LOI)
2. Semi-finalists invited to submit full applications
3. Finalist interviews and evaluation
4. Winners announced
5. Engagements begin early in following year

The selection process looks for organizations at an "exciting inflection point" whose leaders are not afraid of taking risks and are ready and eager to grow. SVPB dives into programming, financials, and more at each stage.

Grantee Support

Once selected, grantees receive:

• 12-month (extendable to 24-month) engagement with dedicated consulting team
• Pro bono consulting services
• Minimum $5,000 financial grant (after 6 months)
• Connection with other nonprofits in SVPB portfolio to build community of dynamic leaders

Contact Information

Registered Charity: 45-4230249

Grant Contact: Karin Mitterando (karin@svpboston.org)

Application Process

2026 Fall Consulting Grant Round Status: Closed and Under Review

2025 Fall Round Timeline (Reference)

1. August 20, 2025: Application portal opens
2. September 3, 2025, 12:00 PM: Q & A Zoom call for interested applicants
3. September 19, 2025, 5:00 PM: Letter of Intent (LOI) submission deadline
4. October 1, 2025: Semi-finalists invited to submit full application
5. October 17, 2025, 5:00 PM: Full application deadline
6. October 20 - December 1, 2025: Finalist interviews and evaluation
7. December 16, 2025: Winners announced
8. Early 2026: Grantee engagements begin

Application Requirements

Stage 1: Letter of Intent (LOI)

• Submit via application portal
• Limited information required to determine initial fit

Stage 2: Full Application (for Semi-finalists)

• Comprehensive application submitted by invited semi-finalists
• Expected to address organizational history, mission, programs, financials, leadership, and strategic goals

Required Documentation:

• 501(c)(3) public charity status documentation
• Annual budget and financial statements
• Description of constituents served
• Proof of service to Greater Boston area
• Leadership team information
• Evidence of mission alignment with economic mobility focus areas

Submission Format

• Online application portal
• Application materials vary by stage (LOI vs. full application)

Support Available

• Q&A Zoom call held early in application cycle (September 3, 2025 in previous cycle)
• Recording available for those unable to attend live

For Questions: Contact Karin Mitterando at karin@svpboston.org