CAP OVERVIEW
Founded in 1993, Community Action Partners (CAP) operates under the aegis of the HBS Association of Boston. CAP’s mission is to increase the impact of mission-driven organizations by strengthening their ability to address our community’s greatest challenges. CAP’s pro bono consulting services connect experienced Harvard Business and Kennedy School alumni with mission-driven organizations in Eastern Massachusetts and beyond. It is our vision that a thriving mission-driven sector can create a more equitable community.
To this end, CAP recruits more than 100 alumni volunteers to staff consulting projects for up to 16 nonprofits each year. Since inception, CAP has provided over $65 million in pro bono business consulting services and engaged with more than 360 nonprofit organizations in Eastern Massachusetts through the work of nearly 1,000 alumni volunteers. Our projects have included strategic planning, market research and marketing strategy, financial planning and analysis, board development and governance, organizational development, and much more. CAP projects must meet certain criteria described below and have a focus of strategic importance to the client.
Please review the guidance below carefully. Any questions should be addressed to CAP Executive Director, Kathy Le, at info@cap-hbsab.org. Pre-application consultations are highly encouraged.
PROJECT EXPECTATIONS
Project Duration: CAP Consulting projects are tailored to each client's specific needs and typically take between six and eight months to complete. During the vetting process we will work with the applicant to estimate project duration, which will be finalized in an engagement letter after projects launch in October 2024.
Volunteer time: On average, each CAP team volunteer spends about four hours per week on project work. Typically, volunteer time investment varies throughout the project based on project needs.
Client time: Members of the client teams working directly with the CAP team can expect to put in an average of four hours per week during the project. Some members of the client team will spend more or less time depending on their role within the project. Client time investment can vary throughout the project. In general, stronger collaboration between CAP volunteers and clients correlates with more meaningful project outcomes.
Project format: CAP successfully operated over Zoom during the height of the pandemic and continues to offer "virtual only" projects when that is the client's preference. CAP offers a balance between in-person and Zoom meetings as the project demands. Preferences for in-person vs. virtual work will be discussed during the vetting process and at the start of the project, and any format decisions will be agreed to by all parties involved.
APPLICANT CRITERIA
Charitable nonprofit organization with IRS 501(c)(3) status or other mission-driven organizations with a primary goal of achieving a clearly defined social benefit
Operating or headquartered in Eastern Massachusetts
Providing a social benefit to the Eastern Massachusetts community
Minimum capacity of 5 FTE and a commitment to oversee and support the consulting work
An active Board of Directors
Stable leadership in the organization (ED tenure exceeds one year)
Not currently in a crisis situation which would require more urgent assistance
PROJECT CRITERIA
Primarily focused on business or management-related issues, such as strategic planning, operations, organizational development, finance, or marketing
Have goals which are well-defined and achievable by a volunteer team staffed according to the project overview above.
Have the sponsorship of the organization's leadership, including both staff and the board
A note regarding fundraising: While CAP does not provide direct fundraising expertise or support, we do recognize the central importance of fundraising to organizational sustainability. CAP projects often address issues related to fundraising such as general fundraising communication, overall messaging, use of impact metrics, and earned income strategy. However, we do not take on projects that focus on fundraising at a more tactical level (e.g. designing or implementing specific fundraising campaigns). We are happy to discuss how we can support your needs; please reach out to CAP at info@cap-hbsab.org for more information.
Examples of CAP consulting projects (not an exhaustive list):
Strategic or business plans development
Marketing/communications strategy and plan development
Replication or scaling plans development
Market opportunity assessment
ANTICIPATED TIMELINE
June 5, 2024: Client application due date (at 11:59 pm)
June and July 2024: Project vetting discussions between CAP board members and
applications. Semi-finalist projects selected.
August - September 2024: Volunteers select from semi-finalist projects
September 30, 2024: Volunteers and clients matched, project awards finalized
October 2024: Teams begin project work
April - June 2025: Teams complete work
CAP will notify clients regarding the status of their application by email or phone at each stage of the process. Vetting meetings will be conducted in-person or via Zoom according to the preferences of the client and the particular CAP board members involved.
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