Guiding Non-Profits to Optimize Delivery on Their Mission
Mighty Oaks Consulting takes non-profits to the next level through Grants, Program Based Budgeting, and Strategic Planning. Starting at one of these 3 entry points, we leverage one upon the other with the recommendation of completing all 3 areas of work on an annual basis to optimize organizational efficiency and capacity.
Starting with Grants, we analyze each program and capital project to identify needs for program/project development, data tracking, and budget--creating micro strategic plans for each. We bring our depth of experience with a broad array of non-profit organizations to the table—from those with zero staff and board-run, to those with over 30 staff, and from local to regional. We have found one near-constant: The organizational-level preparation needed to submit a winning grant proposal has not been completed to the necessary level to be competitive and successful in raising funds for the organization.
We find that most organizations are working very hard to make a deadline for a wonderful funding opportunity that they're a great fit for, without all their ducks in a row—significantly lowering their odds of being awarded the grant. The program or project they want to fund is really at the Concept level.
We know this isn’t the way you want to do things. And that jumping from concept to submitting grant proposals is par for the course in the intense environment of non-profit fundraising. There’s that feeling that you can never get things done fast enough or submit all the proposals you should, but you do not have to lower your standards.
We’re here to help you prepare and implement an annual grant plan that not only delivers on the fundraising level but raises your overall capacity on the organizational level.
Starting with Program Based Budgeting, we're able to analyze your operating budget and show what each program, fundraising, and administration costs by running the organization through 3 phases:
1. Staff Time Allocation by % for each program, fundraising, and administration
2. Expenses Allocation to each program, fundraising, and administration
3. Revenue Allocation to each program, fundraising, and administration
The Program Based Budgeting process reveals where we can free up unrestricted funds with grant funds. It reveals the budget line items that few to 0 staff or Board members understand what they include--leading to a clarified and understandable budget, which is also vital for grant reviewers. It also reveals the true cost to run your programs, in turn increasing the amount of grant funds we can apply for and demonstrating a great need for grant funds and helping you identify specific and impactful ways to engage major donors and business sponsors.
Not only is this how the IRS and financial auditors "bucket" your finances (programs, fundraising, and admin), but it is also part of your review from GuideStar and Charity Navigator. These organizations are utilized to vet the legitimacy of non-profits by grant funders and savvy major donors. They want to see programs at 75% of your budget, and fundraising and administration splitting the remaining 25%. This work also creates the ability to confidently state and show what percentage on the dollar goes directly to programs. Many funders ask this question outright, as well as how much your Board donates to the organization or capital projects via financial gifts.
Starting with Strategic Planning, or after 1 year of Grants (micro Strategic Plans), plus the completion of Program Based Budgeting (identifying the potential/need/weaknesses for financial growth), provides the broader framework for not only mapping how you want to deliver on your mission through your Programming over the next 3-5 years, but also Financial Sustainability, Communications & Outreach, Board Development, Collaboration & Partnerships, and targeted Capacity Building growth, which may include capital projects.
Together with the Program Based Operating Budget, Fundraising Plan, and Communications Plan, the Strategic Plan captures all goals and objectives and provides organizational-level guidance projected over 3-5 years. The Program Based Operating Budget, Fundraising Plan, and Communications Plan braid together to achieve the overall goals set out in the Strategic Plan.
Annual Retreats that run approximately 6 hours are a key component of the Strategic Planning Process. Again, we don't believe in the conceptual level being sufficient. We employ the SMART Goals method across your Strategic Plan, with every section having specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound goals for each year of the plan. Specific goals provide direction, motivation, and a framework for measuring progress, making success more attainable.
Starting with Grants, we analyze each program and capital project to identify needs for program/project development, data tracking, and budget--creating micro strategic plans for each. We bring our depth of experience with a broad array of non-profit organizations to the table—from those with zero staff and board-run, to those with over 30 staff, and from local to regional. We have found one near-constant: The organizational-level preparation needed to submit a winning grant proposal has not been completed to the necessary level to be competitive and successful in raising funds for the organization.
We find that most organizations are working very hard to make a deadline for a wonderful funding opportunity that they're a great fit for, without all their ducks in a row—significantly lowering their odds of being awarded the grant. The program or project they want to fund is really at the Concept level.
We know this isn’t the way you want to do things. And that jumping from concept to submitting grant proposals is par for the course in the intense environment of non-profit fundraising. There’s that feeling that you can never get things done fast enough or submit all the proposals you should, but you do not have to lower your standards.
We’re here to help you prepare and implement an annual grant plan that not only delivers on the fundraising level but raises your overall capacity on the organizational level.
Starting with Program Based Budgeting, we're able to analyze your operating budget and show what each program, fundraising, and administration costs by running the organization through 3 phases:
1. Staff Time Allocation by % for each program, fundraising, and administration
2. Expenses Allocation to each program, fundraising, and administration
3. Revenue Allocation to each program, fundraising, and administration
The Program Based Budgeting process reveals where we can free up unrestricted funds with grant funds. It reveals the budget line items that few to 0 staff or Board members understand what they include--leading to a clarified and understandable budget, which is also vital for grant reviewers. It also reveals the true cost to run your programs, in turn increasing the amount of grant funds we can apply for and demonstrating a great need for grant funds and helping you identify specific and impactful ways to engage major donors and business sponsors.
Not only is this how the IRS and financial auditors "bucket" your finances (programs, fundraising, and admin), but it is also part of your review from GuideStar and Charity Navigator. These organizations are utilized to vet the legitimacy of non-profits by grant funders and savvy major donors. They want to see programs at 75% of your budget, and fundraising and administration splitting the remaining 25%. This work also creates the ability to confidently state and show what percentage on the dollar goes directly to programs. Many funders ask this question outright, as well as how much your Board donates to the organization or capital projects via financial gifts.
Starting with Strategic Planning, or after 1 year of Grants (micro Strategic Plans), plus the completion of Program Based Budgeting (identifying the potential/need/weaknesses for financial growth), provides the broader framework for not only mapping how you want to deliver on your mission through your Programming over the next 3-5 years, but also Financial Sustainability, Communications & Outreach, Board Development, Collaboration & Partnerships, and targeted Capacity Building growth, which may include capital projects.
Together with the Program Based Operating Budget, Fundraising Plan, and Communications Plan, the Strategic Plan captures all goals and objectives and provides organizational-level guidance projected over 3-5 years. The Program Based Operating Budget, Fundraising Plan, and Communications Plan braid together to achieve the overall goals set out in the Strategic Plan.
Annual Retreats that run approximately 6 hours are a key component of the Strategic Planning Process. Again, we don't believe in the conceptual level being sufficient. We employ the SMART Goals method across your Strategic Plan, with every section having specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound goals for each year of the plan. Specific goals provide direction, motivation, and a framework for measuring progress, making success more attainable.