Each organization that works with us gets assigned to a dedicated Capacity Advisor, who supports their leaders and teams in getting the most out of their consulting engagements. Depending on what the organization needs, the Capacity Advisor may facilitate a capacity diagnostic, co-develop action plans, author scopes of work for projects, help leaders and teams identify the right consulting partner, and provide “roadside assistance” during a project, if needed.

Your Capacity Advisor will guide you through a set of questions to better understand your needs, contexts, and goals, and develop a tailored project scope that we then share with our provider network. Our partner organizations find the scoping process incredibly helpful and have compared it to “part consultation with a strategic advisor, part speaking with a therapist”.

Catalyst collaborates with a wide range of organizations that are dedicated to improving outcomes and fostering economic mobility for children, youth, and families. Organizations include nonprofits, schools, districts, charter schools, community organizations, and foundations.

We tag projects along various dimensions, including type, domain, and geography. In most cases, we request proposals from providers whose characteristics match the project requirements. You review the profiles and proposals of all providers who respond and decide whom to interview and whom to work with.

Capacity Advisors work with you to develop project scopes that take into account the intensity and complexity of the work required to achieve the deliverables and the budget that is available. The estimated budget is included in the project scope shared with providers. Providers have the option of proposing a project budget that is above or below the estimated budget given their approach and cost structures. The final project budget is based on the proposal and provider selected by you.

The Catalyst Network is a diverse coalition of expert consultants, coaches, and technical assistance providers with deep expertise and experience working with and supporting nonprofits. Providers range from national and regional organizations (incl. nonprofits that offer technical assistance services, consulting firms, and research organizations) to independent consultants. 

All providers go through a three-stage vetting process that includes an application and portfolio review, an interview, and three reference checks before they are added to the network. We evaluate relevant experience and expertise and look for demonstrated commitment to improving outcomes. The process also helps us gather the information we need to make more informed matches.

Meeting our partners’ expectations is core to our mission. You will have the opportunity to share feedback while working with the provider. You can also reach out to Matt Lynch (via email) at any point, who will work with you to ensure a successful outcome.