In partnership with the Program to Aid Citizen Enterprise (PACE), the POISE Foundation has officially launched the Hill District Professional Development Fund, offering up to $2,500 to support organizational growth for 501(c)3 organizations.

We invite salaried staff members of nonprofit organizations that serve the Hill District to apply for financial assistance for professional development. While the application process will give preference to employees of small and mid-size nonprofits, we also plan to consider individuals who work for larger organizations that primarily serve the Hill District and those who live in the Hill District and work for charitable organizations outside of the Hill District.

With these awards, participants may attend workshops, conferences, and other networking events that offer opportunities to branch out and meet other people within their industry. In addition to expanding potential career opportunities, awardees may increase their confidence in the workplace, expand their knowledge base, learn new skills, and embrace new technologies.

Why is the POISE Foundation offering these grants?

Program to Aid Citizen Enterprise (PACE) recently released a nonprofit effectiveness study. The study noted that:

A. only 17% of nonprofit organizations in Allegheny County receive the ideal amount of capacity building; 

B. organizations serving communities with more people of color generally receive less grant funding and less funding for capacity-building support than those serving white or mixed communities.

According to statistics cited by The Happy, Healthy Nonprofit (Sherman; Kanter, 2016), the national average for professional development dollars spent ranges from $29 per person in the nonprofit sector to $120 per person in the private sector. Yet, 50% of respondents to a PACE Coaching Program evaluative survey of regional organizations noted that their organizations spent nothing on staff development. When coupled with the African American Executive Leadership Project report conducted by PACE at the request of McAuley ministries, the data points to the great need for additional human resources funding to increase staff development in these organizations.

Eligibility

  • Employees currently working at a 501(c)(3) organization (preference for full-time employees)

  • Grantee organizations must primarily serve Hill District residents (preference for organizations located in the Hill District)

  • Preference for African-American-led organizations

  • Priority is given to organizations with annual budgets under $600,000

  • Grantee organization may not hold a classification as a government agency or university

Application Requirements

Note: We will accept applications every two months until grant funds deplete.

  • Description of how and why the organization plans to use the grant funds if awarded

  • Letter of endorsement from a board member (if the applicant is the organization’s executive leader) or a letter from the organization’s  Executive Director or CEO (if the applicant is not the organization’s executive leader).

  • The organization's most recent 990 

  • A copy of the organization’s IRS Determination letter

Permitted Requests

  • Eligible applicants may request funds for capacity-building assistance to support the following professional development activities.

    • Professional conferences

    • Certified Coaching

    • Leadership development programs

    • Certification programs

    • College programs in nonprofit management or other fields related to the organization’s mission.

  • The organization may apply for funding once every 12 months.

  • The organization may request a maximum of $2,500 per year.

  • The organization may use award funds for one individual employee or several employees, not to exceed the $2,500 maximum per year.

Reporting Requirements

Grantees must submit a report 60 days after the completion of the professional development activity and include the following information.

  • Actual expenses compared to the proposed budget

  • Copies of all relevant receipts

  • Paragraphs describing the personal and organizational impact of the professional development opportunity from both the attendee and the recommending supervisor or board member