Overview

The Early-Stage Operations and Planning Fund provides multi-year investments and technical support for emerging 501(c)(3) nonprofits that are vision and mission aligned to the Foundation and are focused on driving social change through placed-based programming and services. Through a competitive application process, grants of $150,000 over three years are awarded to support strategic and operational planning and to build the infrastructure of selected organizations whose work is based in Kent County, MI.

Applicants commit to engaging in quarterly work sessions with at least one additional staff or board member over the three-year partnership where teams will:

  • create a three-year tactical plan, aligning their mission and vision with organizational goals and tactics to drive decision-making and intentional growth;
  • develop and document programs and services, ensuring clarity, defined objectives, measurable outcomes, alignment with the organization’s mission, and the incorporation of community voice into program planning;
  • increase sustainability by building skills and organizational processes in fund development, budgeting, accounting, human resources, and data management;
  • expand their circle of professional support by working with like-minded non-profit leaders and networking with local foundation leaders;
  • enhance organizational governance by understanding best practices in board management; and
  • access consultation, resources, and tools, including optional work time with professional support.

Organizations who may be candidates for this grant opportunity are those:

  • who are vision and mission-aligned with the Steelcase Foundation;
  • actively engaged in delivering programming and/or services that align with our grantmaking focus;  
  • currently being led by its founder(s); 
  • with 501(c)(3) status for at least one year but less than eight years;
  • with cash and in-kind operational budgets under $500,000 
    • who have secured at least $50,000 in revenue (e.g., grants, corporate sponsorships, individual donations) over the last two years 
    • relying on “in-kind” donations for a significant portion of their budget;
  • with capacity to invest time in building sustainable infrastructure for operations and fund development, preferably with a consistent team (comprised of key staff and/or board members). 

Since 2022, the Steelcase Foundation has supported two early-stage cohorts, for a total of eight nonprofits. Technical assistance is facilitated by SIDE-Strategies, in partnership with nonprofit subject-matter experts when appropriate, who can share their individual experiences related to the given work session. Applications for the next cohort will open on April 1, 2025 (preview the application questions here). Below is a timeline of key dates for interested and eligible organizations:

Tuesday, April 1, 2025Applications open in Fluxx (create an account here if your organization does not already have one)
Wednesday, April 16, 2025 9-10AMOptional info session (link to Zoom recording here)
Wednesday, April 30, 2025Applications due by/or before this date
Friday, May 14, 2025Semi-finalists notified
Monday, June 2, 2025 or Wednesday, June 4, 2025Semi-finalist interviews
Friday, June 13, 2025Cohort finalized and notified (pending final board approval on July 11, 2025)
Thursday, August 7, 2025 3:30-6PMCohort orientation + mixer
Friday, October 17, 2025Work Session #1, noon-4PM
Friday, February 20, 2026Work Session #2, noon-4PM
Friday, May 15, 2026Work Session #3, noon-4PM
Friday, August 21, 2026Work Session #4, noon-4PM
Friday, October 16, 2026Work Session #5, noon-4PM

Participants have shared appreciation for the opportunity to learn from other nonprofit leaders at similar stages in their organizational development, and exchange resources and tips with their peers. They also enjoy the dedicated time to work on foundational tasks such as solidifying their budgets and documenting programs, services, and processes that might otherwise get deferred during their day-to-day work.  Hear more about the Early-Stage Operations and Planning Fund below.

Black Book Exchange Box

Code on Wheels

The Delta Project

Mosaic Film Experience

Ebony Road Players

Girls Growing 2 Women

Math Medic Foundation

Young Money Finances

To learn more about Early-Stage Operations and Planning Fund grants:

Trudy Ngo-Brown​

Program Officer​