FAQs - One-on-One Consulting Support - The Technical Assistance Collaborative

Please see below for answers to frequently asked questions. If you have additional questions, please contact Jaré Akchin, TAC Advisor, at jare@boardified.org.

How do I Apply?

To receive targeted support, organizations must submit an online application for review. The application is intended to take no more than 60 minutes to complete. We request that the individual responsible for managing the project complete and submit the application. Please read more about eligibility criteria and how we make decisions before applying (see below).

Please note: You cannot save your online application. You must complete the application in one sitting. We recommend working on the application offline before cutting and pasting your answers into the form. You can find the application questions here.

Applications can be submitted and will be reviewed on a rolling basis. An initial review of all applications will be completed within 10 business days of submission. If necessary, TAC may request follow-up materials or a follow-up call with the applicant to help with decision making. All decisions regarding support will be made within 45 days of application submission.

Am I eligible to apply?

To be eligible for targeted support, organizations must serve the Jewish community in the Chicagoland area and possess current 501(c)(3) status or have a fiscal sponsor with current 501(c)(3) status.

Organizations that have not received support from TAC in the past will be prioritized. Those that previously received consultation services through TAC are still eligible for new support, if the previous engagement and evaluation survey have been completed.

What areas of support are available?

TAC is currently accepting applications from organizations seeking support in the following areas:

Executive and Team Coaching: Support for individuals and/or teams to help clarify goals, achieve organizational and personal objectives, and act as a confidential sounding board.
Financial Planning and Modeling: Process to review an organization’s finances and financial systems to create effective tools to track and forecast financial performance.
Fundraising Strategy: Help to strategize and reimagine fundraising tactics in a changing landscape. This work can also support organizations identify prospective donor groups, develop stewardship plans, and train the board or staff on donor cultivation, fundraising strategies, and goals.
Organizational Culture: Support defining organizational values and embedding them into all aspects of your organization’s work.
Adaptive Priority Setting: Develop a roadmap for your organization’s work in a changing environment. Defining adaptive priorities helps organizations continually refine and adjust their work.
Succession Planning: Prepare your organization for change by ensuring you are developing talent at all levels of the organization to replace key positions as staff and/or clergy transition into new roles, go on leave, or leave the organization.

When can I apply?

Is there a limit on how often or how many areas I can apply for support?

Organizations can receive support for up to two areas within 12 months, but engagements cannot overlap. Organizations can only apply for one engagement at a time. They will not be eligible for a second consultation until the first engagement and follow-up evaluation survey are complete.

How long will it take for my application to be reviewed?

An initial review of all applications will be completed within 10 business days of submission. If necessary, TAC may request follow-up materials or a follow-up call with the applicant to help with decision making. All decisions regarding support will be made within 45 days of application submission.

Who reviews the applications and how are decisions made?

TAC’s partner, Third Plateau, will review applications with TAC staff. Each application will be assessed using the following criteria:

The degree to which the requested support will build capacity for the organization or leader applying.
The degree to which the support is proactive in preparing or solving for a potential challenge, rather than reactive.
The degree to which the organization represents or serves historically underserved segments of the community.
The degree to which the organization is ready for the engagement and will remain committed to the project, giving it the appropriate time and doing the hard work necessary to make change.
The degree to which the engagement, if successful, will address the expressed problem statement as defined by the organization.
The degree to which the engagement will lead to learning for TAC and the broader Jewish community.
The degree to which the key organizational leaders (volunteer or professional) have a commitment to the community and lead with generosity and humility.

What happens if our application is accepted?

TAC will work with each recipient to identify the best provider for the needs being addressed and help make introductions to begin the engagement.

What happens if our application is not accepted?

TAC will provide the organization with feedback on why the application was not accepted and potential avenues for reapplying. This could include reapplying with different lead staff, refining the challenge or opportunity being addressed, or asking for a different area of support.

How are organizations matched?

TAC will work with each recipient to identify the best provider for the needs being addressed. In some instances, where there are multiple providers available, TAC will be able to provide organizations with a choice of providers. In these cases, TAC will give organizations background information about each provider and their areas of expertise or specialization to help organizations make decisions.

Please note that Third Plateau is supporting TAC in reviewing applications and matching organizations with providers. In some instances, Third Plateau may also be a provider for consultative services.

Is our organization expected to pay any of the costs associated with the consulting or coaching services?

We may ask organizations to contribute to the cost of the engagement. When setting the amounts, we will work closely with you to ensure the fees are within reach. We will also consider the size of the organization’s budget and the price of the engagement.

If we receive support, what are the reporting requirements?

TAC requests that all targeted support recipients confirm when their engagement has been completed. We will then ask you to complete a brief evaluation survey (to take no more than 15 minutes of your time) within 14 days of the engagement’s end. Any subsequent support will not be considered until the follow-up evaluation survey has been completed. Periodically, TAC might request additional input through follow-up surveys to help us learn about potential long-term impacts on organizational capacity.

Executive and Team Coaching: Support for individuals and/or teams to help clarify goals, achieve organizational and personal objectives, and act as a confidential sounding board.

Financial Planning and Modeling: Process to review an organization’s finances and financial systems to create effective tools to track and forecast financial performance.

Fundraising Strategy: Help to strategize and reimagine fundraising tactics in a changing landscape. This work can also support organizations identify prospective donor groups, develop stewardship plans, and train the board or staff on donor cultivation, fundraising strategies, and goals.

Organizational Culture: Support defining organizational values and embedding them into all aspects of your organization’s work.

Adaptive Priority Setting: Develop a roadmap for your organization’s work in a changing environment. Defining adaptive priorities helps organizations continually refine and adjust their work.

Succession Planning: Prepare your organization for change by ensuring you are developing talent at all levels of the organization to replace key positions as staff and/or clergy transition into new roles, go on leave, or leave the organization.

The degree to which the requested support will build capacity for the organization or leader applying.

The degree to which the support is proactive in preparing or solving for a potential challenge, rather than reactive.

The degree to which the organization represents or serves historically underserved segments of the community.

The degree to which the organization is ready for the engagement and will remain committed to the project, giving it the appropriate time and doing the hard work necessary to make change.

The degree to which the engagement, if successful, will address the expressed problem statement as defined by the organization.

The degree to which the engagement will lead to learning for TAC and the broader Jewish community.

The degree to which the key organizational leaders (volunteer or professional) have a commitment to the community and lead with generosity and humility.