SVP Denver Capacity Building Engagement Grant

The SVP Denver Capacity Building Engagement Grant offers essential support to social impact organizations through training cohorts and individual strategic projects. This grant aims to enhance organizational capacity, focusing on basic human needs and economic mobility. Eligible nonprofits can receive tailored assistance from experienced SVP partners, fostering a collaborative environment for growth and development. By participating, organizations can leverage expert guidance to strengthen their operations and maximize their community impact.

NOTE: Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis for this period’s priority areas.
Our Process
SVP Denver provides social impact organizations with free training and pro bono consulting services to increase their capacity and expand their impact.

• Training Cohorts:

We run training cohorts several times a year on a variety of topics to help groups of 4-6 social impact organizations level up. Each cohort is facilitated by a subject matter expert and social impact organizations are matched with an experienced SVP Partner who will act as their coach, providing additional support and third-party feedback on deliverables.
Individual Strategic Projects:
Leadership and staff from your organization will work directly with SVP Denver partners rather than in a group cohort setting. Examples of projects include:
Improving your financial management systemGuiding you through a merger of two nonprofit organizationsSupporting improvement of board of director governance processesDeveloping a business plan to guide your organization’s growthTapping into masterminds by assembling a group of SVP Denver experts on a specific need (real estate, mergers/acquisitions, fundraising, etc.) to share expertise and solve problems.
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis from organizations focused on basic human needs or economic mobility (e.g. housing, food security, education, job training, etc). Selected organizations will participate in a one-on-one virtual discussion to better understand your goals. If you are selected to become a capacity-building investee, we will begin the matchmaking process of finding SVP Denver partners who have relevant skills and a passion for your mission.
What SVP Will Bring to the Table
Targeted investments. Often there’s a power dynamic in capacity- building relationships; we do our best to mitigate that. We invite honest feedback, own up to our mistakes and strive to find a path forward that works for all. SVP Denver partners may have specific expertise and skills that can help you, but you’re the expert in your mission.
What SVP Denver Will Ask of the investee
Willingness to take a hard look at what’s holding your organization back, and share those weaknesses openly. That may be uncomfortable, but our best results come from honest relationships.Identifying the capacity-building areas you want to work on with us and how they relate to your mission.Be open to metrics/assessments throughout the process. We want to understand what impact our work together has so we can track our progress.Employ a work plan that follows a logic model framework as outlined in this resource.Develop impact metrics for each change project, both at the end of our engagement and one year later.

Eligibility

What We Look for in Capacity-Building Investees:Qualified Nonprofit Organization = your organization is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is operating under a fiscal agent or is a social venture (public benefit corporation).Operating in the Denver Metro Region = you are located within and/or providing 51% or more of your services within Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, and/or Jefferson counties.Mission and Impact = you understand how your services are meeting a clear community need.Leadership Readiness = your executive director is a champion for change; and your board of directors both supports your application and will be active in our engagement. All of you have the desire to “get to the next level” in your organization’s evolution. Armed with a willingness to self-reflect and accept external input, you have an appetite for change, hard work and fun.Capacity to Work with SVP Denver = your organization is ready for a collaborative relationship with passionate volunteers and has strong interest in a peer-learning relationship.