Eligibility & Participation Requirements

To apply for the Innovation Catalyst, you must meet all of the following criteria:
  1. An established nonprofit
  2. A current member of the Center for Nonprofit Management
  3. A current profile on the Community Foundation’s GivingMatters.com website 
Applicants must: 
  • Submit a completed written application no later than Friday, July 17. Early applicants will have priority scheduling for interviews.
  • Be prepared to cover the agency out-of-pocket portion of the costs of $3,000.
  • Applicants must be available for an interview on Thursday, July 23 or Friday, July 24. Executive director AND a board member should attend if at all possible. Interviews will be scheduled as application are received, but no later than Monday, July 20.  
  • Commit to full participation in the Innovation Catalyst program by designating the project as a strategic priority and through your identified The Impact Team™.
  • Build an The Impact Team™ (description below). Potential team members should be identified in the written application.
  • Commit  to team participation in all scheduled group sessions and  plan presentations (meetings every 2 or 3 weeks for seven months);
  • Develop, over the course of the program, an action plan that includes updated strategic priorities, financial projections, and a pitch deck designed for presentations to board members, funders and other stakeholders. 
The Impact Team™
The Impact Team is responsible for doing the work of developing new initiatives where needed. The Team is recruited by the Executive Director, with help from the Board Chair and/or the Project Lead. The Project Lead organizes and facilitates the Impact Team meetings, coordinating with CauseImpact consultants.

This is not a committee. This is a task force that develops new ideas and makes recommendations to the Executive Director or CEO, Board of Directors, and other key stakeholders/decision makers.

Composition
Your Impact Team should consist of 6-12 members, including:
  • The Executive Director (we recommend that the ED also be the Project Leader).
  • The Project Leader, may be somebody other than the ED.
  • Select members of management staff (two to three).
  • Staff members of different levels, including client-facing staff (one or two).
  • Members from Board of Directors (two to three).
  • Outsiders -- people somewhat unfamiliar with your agency but experienced in areas that may be important to your efforts.  Ask them to bring a fresh perspective to your organization (no more than two).
  • Serial entrepreneurs –individuals who have successfully built more than one small or medium-sized businesses (one or tw
Team Member Role and Responsibilities
  • Roll up your sleeves. Apply your core skills to the task(s) at hand. This is an active role.Offer advice and guidance based on experience.
  • Challenge assumptions and ask questions, acting as a skeptic when necessary in order to keep plans firmly grounded.
  • Assist in establishing evaluation criteria, reviewing program analysis results, and making recommendations.
  • Serve as a sounding board for the project management team as information and research findings are presented
  • Assist in opportunity research or feasibility study.
  • Take an active and vocal role in providing the organization with a fresh perspective. 
  • Assist in analyzing the results of the planning process and formulating recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding next action steps.
  • Share professional expertise in various aspects of organizational management — human resource development, marketing, financial systems, cost/benefit analysis, etc.
  • Help the organization develop market positioning and strategies for key offerings or develop business plan outline for new high potential ideas.
  • Serve as a guide to action plan implementation and provide feedback from general community stakeholders.
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