For 2009, new Organizational Development Grant  guidelines prioritize support for groups focusing on:  healthcare, the seven-county area of far western NC, and/or restructuring efforts. See the OD Grant Guidelines link, below, for details.

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To address changing needs, nonprofits are encouraged to apply for an Organizational Development Grant.  These funds are available to hire a consultant who can help the agency plan and tackle major organizational issues such as:

• Strategic planning
• Board development
• Development and fundraising
• Endowment planning
• Financial management
• Marketing and public relations
• Organizational transitions
• Executive coaching
• Collaborations and mergers
• Program design
• Evaluation planning

Organizational Development Grants are provided through a collaboration of The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, the Cherokee Preservation Foundation, and the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust.  Review the OD Grant Guidelines for information on eligibility, program focus, and the application process.  You may review the OD Grant Application but note that you must contact the funder representative (listed on the Guidelines under "Application Steps") before submitting.

Note:  This Organizational Development Grant support makes the most difference when there is a clear focus for the work. Therefore, we recommend the following:

1) Consider an Organization Assessment as a first step to determine priority needs (for more information on go to Organization Assessment  (This step is not required if your organization has already done the work of getting leadership focused on a priority area of work.)

2) Once you know your focus, get your board and staff committed to the idea of working with a consultant on the Organizational Development Grant application process.