Consulting & Capacity Building

HSC Consulting Services

HSC offers high-quality, affordable consulting services tailored to meet your needs. Whether your organization is small or large, our consulting expertise covers areas including governance/board development, organizational planning and strategy, program development, data and evaluation, individual and team coaching (and more!).
 
We kindly request 2-4 weeks’ notice prior to your desired consulting engagement. This allows time for you to connect with our Director of Leadership Development and Consulting Services to ensure we fully understand your needs. We understand that this may not always be feasible and can accommodate requests as needed. If you have questions, need further information, or to schedule an appointment, please contact ssavage@hsctc.org.
 

HSC maintains a comprehensive Leadership Development Library with valuable resources as well as a database of local and regional consulting, training and coaching professionals

HSC IMPACT Network - Funding for Consulting Services

This fund provides financial assistance to not-for-profit organizations to receive organizational and professional development support.

All funds are currently allocated for this year and we are not accepting applications at this time.

  • Executive Director or designee of a not-for-profit community-based organization or a fiscally sponsored program in Tompkins County.
  • To be considered, request for support will be submitted a minimum of four weeks prior to the start of the consulting/coaching/training engagement.(Support requests that need to occur sooner than four weeks after application submission may be considered on a case by case basis. Please note this in the application.)
  • Consulting, coaching and/or training must be for the organization whose Executive Director or designee submits an application
  • Funding for consulting, coaching and/or training services
  • Award is for up to $3,000 per organization (Organizations are required to contribute up to 25% of the total cost of the engagement)
  • Awards are given on a rolling basis
  • One award per organization per year
  • Complete and submit an online request form at least six weeks prior to the desired start date.
  • Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their request within two weeks of submission.
  • Funds will be provided to the organization upon receipt of the following:
    • A copy of a signed contract including timelines between the organization and service provider.
    • An invoice from the service provider for the engagement.
  • Description of how the consulting, training and/or coaching will: enhance the work of the organization and/or its employees; raise professional knowledge, awareness, or understanding; encourage awareness, understanding, and/or collaboration in their respective field related to their organization’s mission and/or specifically their work on behalf of the organization.
  • Requestors must demonstrate why the consulting/training/coaching is cost-prohibitive to their organization and why funding is needed, including but not limited to agency budget and amount allocated for professional development.
  • Capacity building through consulting, coaching and training may include but are not limited to:
    • Board development
    • Collaborations and mergers
    • Data collection and evaluation
    • Diversity, equity, inclusion, justice and accessibility support
    • Feasibility studies
    • Fundraising and grant support
    • Leadership coaching
    • Marketing and storytelling
    • Needs assessments
    • Organizational effectiveness and sustainability
    • Program design and development
    • Staff training, recruitment and retention
    • Strategic planning
    • Succession planning
  • Awardees are required to meet with HSC’s Director of Leadership Development at the beginning, during and at the end of the engagement as well as for a 3-month post-engagement follow up
  • Awardees are required to submit a brief report to HSC post-program outlining the top takeaways/learning points from the consulting/training/coaching and any other information that might benefit the not for profit community at large.
  • Awardees are required to submit proof of payment by the service provider.
  • Failure to complete or submit any portion of the engagement requirements may result in a denial of future funding requests.

Get Out of Town Program - Conference/Seminar Assistance

This fund provides financial assistance to not-for-profit professionals to attend out-of-town conferences, seminars, and workshops outside of Tompkins County.

All funds are currently allocated for this year and we are not accepting applications at this time.

This fund provides financial assistance to not-for-profit professionals to attend out-of-town conferences, seminars, and workshops outside of Tompkins County.

The funds can be used for registration fees and travel expenses.

Conferences allow attendees to develop strong professional networks, learn about leading practices, explore innovative techniques, and hear from experts and others in their field. They can re-energize, spark new ideas, and gain fresh perspectives on their work and the collective work of the not-for-profit sector.

Priority consideration are given to organizations that are BIPOC led and/or serve primarily BIPOC communities and those with limited professional development budgets.

Questions may be directed to Tamara S. Beardsley at tbeardsley@hsctc.org

  • Paid employee of a not-for-profit community-based organization or a fiscally sponsored program in Tompkins County.
  • To be considered, request for support will be submitted a minimum of four weeks prior to the final day of registration for the conference.
  • Conferences must be within the United States or Canada
  • Funding for in-person conference registration, fees, travel, lodging, and food
  • Award is for up to $1,200 per person and up to two people per application
    (Requests that can demonstrate an increased benefit for more than 2 people attending may be considered)
  • Awards are given on a rolling basis
  • One award per organization per year
  • Complete and submit an online request form at least four weeks prior to the final day of registration for the conference, seminar or workshop.
  • Requests will include conference/workshop location, agenda, sessions, and speakers (if available).
  • Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their request within two weeks of submission.
  • Funds will be provided to the organization prior to the conference to avoid invoicing or cash outlay by the requesting organization.
  • Description of how the conference theme, sessions, or speakers will: enhance their work and the work of their organization; raise professional knowledge, awareness, or understanding; encourage awareness, understanding, and/or collaboration in their respective field related to their organization’s mission and/or specifically their work on behalf of the organization.
  • Requestors must demonstrate why the program is cost-prohibitive to their organization and why funding is needed, including but not limited to agency budget and amount allocated for professional development.
  • Topics of conferences we’ve approved include but are not limited to: addiction, education, library sciences, feeding seniors, farming, the evolution of play, funding development, advances in historical research, and supportive housing.
  • Awardees are required to submit a brief report to HSC post-program outlining the top takeaways/learning points from the event and any other information that might benefit the not for profit community at large.
  • Awardees are required to submit receipts matching the amount of the award.
  • Failure to submit the post-conference requirements may result in a denial of future funding requests.