Strengthening nonprofits in preparing for and managing government funding
The Equitable Access & Capacity Initiative (EACI) is a collaborative effort, delivered in partnership between BDO, Forefront, and IFF, to support Illinois nonprofit organizations in preparing for and managing government funding and assist nonprofits in building more holistically healthy financial systems and practices that support impactful program delivery.
With the influx of federal funds such as through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), more nonprofit organizations may be thinking about adding government funding to their revenue models or strengthening their infrastructure to align with current funding. We are here to support nonprofits in navigating what is needed to apply for and successfully manage government funding, which may require systems and reporting beyond what your nonprofit has today.
EACI includes support open to all nonprofit organizations operating in Illinois, as well as support made available by invitation from EACI funding partners. For program elements with limited resources or capacity, we will prioritize organizations serving communities of color impacted by historic and/or ongoing disinvestment.
EACI is offering a range of opportunities to receive capacity-building support in 2025, including:
These opportunities are outlines below, and additional details (including session dates) can be found here.
Join us for an info session on Tuesday, February 18, 2025.
Interested organizations should submit this interest form by February 27, 2025.
Cohorts are a great fit for organizations looking to build their leadership team’s comfort with nonprofit finances and learn the foundations of understanding nonprofit financial health, annual planning/budgeting, reporting, and operations and internal controls. Cohort participants will:
Technical assistance projects provide an opportunity to work with a BDO Nonprofit & Grantmaker Advisory team to address a specific financial management challenge or build a new process or tool. Topics addressed may include creation of cash flow projections, development of policies and procedures, structuring financial reports, realigning staff roles and responsibilities, and other services related to developing an infrastructure for effective grants management.
Work with a consultant from the BDO Nonprofit & Grantmaker Advisory team on a single topic or a range of topics in custom one-on-one or group coaching sessions. Topics addressed through coaching may include reviewing cost allocation plans, updating of policies and procedures, structuring financial reports, realigning staff roles and responsibilities, and financial leadership coaching.
This clinic is designed to support small to medium sized nonprofits that would benefit from implementing a cash flow tool. This clinic will take participants through a step-by-step process to project future cash flow, with an emphasis on the cross-functional team collaboration necessary to create and update projections. Participants will populate a cash flow projection template which reflects their accounting structure and begin to forecast results for the current fiscal year. Key focus areas for this clinic will include:
This clinic is specifically designed to support small to medium sized nonprofits that have strong program based budgeting and annual planning practices as a baseline but are looking to develop scenario planning skills and tools. In this clinic, we’ll explore business model and get to strategic clarity to develop a framework for financial projections. Organizations will be introduced to scenario planning, and how to reflect potential growth or contraction possibilities. Key focus areas for this clinic will include:
Applying for 2025 Support Opportunities
Interested organizations should submit this interest form by February 27, 2025. Please note: organizations can express interest in up three offerings. Participation is limited to one offering per organization.
Questions? Join us for an info session on Tuesday, February 18, 2025.
Interest Form Questions
In addition to contact and organization details, interested organizations will be asked to share the following:
EACI provides resources and support to help nonprofits pursue or manage current government grants. Working with community organizations and government agencies, EACI has compiled assessment and preparation tools, workshops, and funding opportunities that will help nonprofits successfully maximize and manage federal funding.
EACI recommends that nonprofits complete the Self-Assessment Tool to reflect on and assess areas critical to the type of knowledge and infrastructure support it may need to effectively access, apply for, or manage government funding.
TOOLS
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
For questions and additional information about the The Equitable Access & Capacity Initiative (EACI), please contact [email protected].
