Wilson Foundation: Equip Grant

The Wilson Foundation's Equip Grant, in collaboration with the Louisiana Alliance for Nonprofits, offers a comprehensive 12-month program aimed at enhancing nonprofit organizational capacity. This initiative includes weekly sessions focusing on key topics such as financial management, strategic partnerships, and effective communication. Participants will benefit from expert guidance and access to resources through Resilia, ensuring a deep and impactful learning experience designed to foster community impact and operational effectiveness.

Principles & Practices for Nonprofits
In partnership with the Louisiana Alliance for Nonprofits (formerly LANO), Huey and Angelina Wilson Foundation is pleased to present the Nonprofit Capacity Building Institute: Principles & Best Practices for Nonprofits. The Institute is an intensive, 12-month program focused on strengthening organizational capacity, measurable outcomes, community impact, and operational effectiveness.
Overview
In a cohort-based approach to capacity building, you will participate in weekly small group convenings around specific topics paired with shared learning opportunities to discuss mutual issues, learning from the challenges and solutions of peers, and problem solving together. Each session will be facilitated by a content expert who will guide the cohort, frame each session, and offer tools and resources. In addition, participants will have access to support by Resilia, a tech platform and consultancy that provides extensive support, resources, and one-on-one coaching throughout the program.
Institute Timeline
The Institute begins with an organizational assessment followed by a virtual introductory session, 13 weekly 3-hour in-person class sessions September-December and two planning sessions focused on future planning and goal setting. Selected organizations must commit one lead participant to attend all sessions, plus one other appropriate person based on the session topic. The Institute will be intense, and attendance is critical to your success.
In-Person Session Topics
Management, Leadership & Governance:Organizational Assessments with ResiliaFinancial Management: Optimal Budgeting for NonprofitsHuman Resources: Building the Right Team: Performance ManagementStrategic PartnershipsBoard Development: Effective Communication and UtilizationEffectively Collecting and Using Data – What’s in the Numbers?Marketing, Communications, Fundraising and Development:Marketing and Communication: Brand Management and Story TellingMarketing and Communication: Using Social Media EffectivelyFundraising and Special Event PlanningEffective Grant Writing and Grant ManagementTelling your Story Effectively for Reporting and FundraisingAssessment and Next Steps: Developing a 3-month plan with ResiliaCreating a Culture of Inclusion: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Eligibility

The organization or its fiscal agent must be tax-exempt under Section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code. If a fiscal agent is used, they must submit a letter of agreement as an attachment, and the name of the partner organization is to be used as the project name on the application.Eligible programs must be located in one of the following parishes:Ascension
West Feliciana
Funding for certain statewide projects may be considered, but the project must serve the entire state without regional restrictions.