Nonprofit organizations who indicate a greater need for strategic planning and advanced support are invited to apply to participate in the Healthy Organizations Partnership (HOP), a two-year training, grant and technical assistance program.

The program begins twice each year, September and January, hosting five to six organizations with a desire to learn and grow in each program round. Teams of five to seven board and key staff members, plus a local mentor, participate in all four sessions during the two-year period. The multi-year program includes governance training, extensive self-assessment, a strategic planning session, elective workshops, peer learning, ongoing consultation, and up to $6,500 for organizational development planning, implementation and follow-up.

REQUIREMENTS: Organizations entering the HOP program must have IRS 501(c) (3) determination, one paid staff or key consultant, an actively engaged board of directors, a willingness to commit resources to their organizational development efforts, a record that indicates a willingness to address change and a mission that generally fits within the Initiative Foundation’s focus areas.


Session I - Governance and Assessment
Organizations will have a common understanding of core facets of running an effective organization from a board perspective. They will be prepared to undertake the strategic planning process, and have a working knowledge of how to do their organizational assessment as utilized in the HOP program.

• Governance essentials
  
  
• Effective meetings and decision-making
  
  
• Preparation for strategic planning: hiring consultant, desired results
  
  
• Organizational self-assessment process
  
  
  

Strategic Effectiveness Planning Session
A professionally facilitated Planning Session will be held by each individual organization. (Grant funds up to $2,500 may be used to cover the costs of holding this session.) Vision, mission, core values and key focus areas will be identified in order to guide the development of the organization. Assessment results will be used to guide this session, with Initiative Foundation staff attending as a resource person when possible.


Session II – Action Planning & Evaluation
Each organization will gain a working knowledge of action planning and outcome-based evaluation while preparing to move into the implementation phase.

• Prioritizing strategic planning key focus areas
  
  
• Outcome-based goal setting
  
  
• Practical experience in developing clear goals and action steps
  
  
• Understanding next steps for moving into implementation
  
  
  

Fund Development Workshop (Optional)
A minimum of two scholarships will be available for each HOP organization for our annual fee-based workshop held each spring.


Session III – Financial Management, Topical Skill Building
Skill building for board and staff on topics identified as important by participants. Break-out session topics may vary somewhat according to interest.

• Reporting back to each organization - successes, obstacles, future plans
  
  
• Understanding nonprofit financial statements
  
  
• Topical break-out sessions - will likely include topics such as: board development, media relations, developing and using a case statement, public policy essentials for nonprofits, volunteer management
  
  

Session IV - Sustaining Momentum and Moving Forward
Organizations will leave the HOP program with a clear sense of how to stay viable and flexible as an organization, and will celebrate their own success and that of others in their cohort group.

• Reporting back to each organization - successes, obstacles, future plans
  
  
• Managing change/paradigm shifts – relevance for today’s nonprofits
  
  
• Applying Nonprofit Standards of Excellence; review of what makes an organization effective and sustainable
  
  
• Graduation and celebration of accomplishments
  
  
  

This program is funded through grants from The Otto Bremer Foundation, The McKnight Foundation, USDA Rural Community Development Initiative and other generous donors.