One good idea can change the world, but it’s the power to execute it that makes all the difference.
For Arizona Facts of Life, a nonprofit that helps young women find healthy solutions to life’s challenges, founder Yolanda Robinson knew the impact she could make if only she had the resources and the know-how. But with the daunting world of 501(c)(3) regulations and grant applications facing her down, she wasn’t sure her cause would ever see the light of day. Then Robinson discovered TAP AZ, and everything changed.
The Technical Assistance Partnership of Arizona, an affiliate of Vitalyst Health Foundation, offers emerging nonprofits and coalitions an early leg-up by providing an array of accounting and financing services. By developing budgets and fundraising plans for organizations, TAP AZ acts as an outsourced CFO, getting new ventures off the ground and creating opportunities for them to expand while helping them avoid the administrative hurdles nonprofits face on start-up. Often, that’s the age or budget requirements government and philanthropic agencies have for awarding grants. Under TAP AZ’s umbrella, young nonprofits can reach a level it might take them years to achieve otherwise.
“With full fiscal sponsorship, a group doesn’t even need a checking account,” says George Redheffer, associate director of sponsored projects at TAP AZ. “We cut checks, pay bills, apply for grants. We do all the back-office work.”
For an organization like Arizona Facts of Life, the grant-specific services were a game-changer. While initially unsuccessful at applying for government funds, since partnering with TAP AZ, the organization has received a number of grants from the Arizona state government as well as a tribal youth grant. “TAP AZ gave us the resources we needed to succeed,” says Robinson.
Information on launching a coalition or nonprofit and on applying to become a sponsored project is available on the TAP AZ website.
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