LevelUp Grant Program

Administrator: Community Foundation of Hancock County (CFHC)
Geographic Scope: Hancock County, Indiana

Program Overview

The LevelUp Grant Program supports nonprofit leaders to more effectively advance their organization's mission and vision. CFHC recognizes that time and resources for internal capacity building are often limited; LevelUp removes those barriers for nonprofits seeking to improve operations and programs.

Eligibility Requirements

• Must be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt public charity
• Must serve Hancock County
• Must have received at least one previous grant from CFHC
• Cannot participate in Annual Grant Cycle during LevelUp participation year
• Preference given to organizations without prior LevelUp grants

Focus Areas

Organizations select ONE area to focus on:

• Mission & Strategy
• Board Development
• Financial Management
• Human Resources Management
• Fundraising & Donor Relations
• Program Outcome Measurement
• Governance & Administration
• Communications & Marketing
• Transition & Succession Planning
• Leadership & Organizational Culture

Program Structure

LevelUp consists of three key elements:

1. Planning Phase

• Complete capacity-building assessment (with board/staff involvement)
• Complete pre-survey benchmark for impact evaluation
• Identify greatest area of opportunity for growth
• Identify consultant specializing in selected area (RFP process likely)
• CFHC Community Investment + Grants Officer provides support and approval

2. Grant Phase

• Receive up to $20,000 grant to hire consultant/researcher/coach
• Implement development strategies from capacity-building assessment
• Organizations pay any costs exceeding $20,000
• Complete post-survey as part of grant report for impact evaluation

3. Peer Learning Roundtables

• CFHC convenes grantees every other month
• Discuss organizational development progress
• Share experiences working with consultants
• CFHC facilitates informal, conversational meetings

Application Process

1. Start Application: Click "Start a LevelUp Application" button on program page
2. Capacity Assessment: Complete capacity-building assessment involving board and staff
3. Pre-Survey: Complete pre-survey benchmark for impact evaluation
4. Identify Focus Area: Determine greatest opportunity for organizational growth
5. Consultant Selection: Identify consultant specializing in selected focus area (may involve RFP process)
6. CFHC Approval: Obtain approval from CFHC Community Investment + Grants Officer
7. Grant Implementation: Execute consultant engagement and development strategies
8. Post-Survey: Complete post-survey as part of final grant report
9. Peer Learning: Participate in bimonthly roundtable meetings

Required Materials

• Capacity-building assessment completion
• Pre-survey
• Consultant proposal/RFP documentation
• Post-survey and final grant report (upon completion)