Creating a Map to Better Capacity
We’re building the systems, processes, and staff team to help organizations connect to the right capacity building supports. Learn more about what we offer below.
You can take the next step in your organization’s Navigation process by filling out the inquiry form.
PACE Collaboration
Partnership to increase access to nonprofit consultants in SWPA region
Elevate NP of Southwestern Pennsylvania (Elevate NP) and Program to Aid Citizen Enterprise (PACE)’s partnership will enhance and expand how nonprofit organizations across southwestern Pennsylvania find vetted, high-quality consulting partners to help with strategy, fundraising, communications, financial management, and more.
PACE has developed and operates a directory of dozens of vetted consultants across multiple categories of nonprofit capacity building. In early 2026, Elevate NP launched its Navigation service to connect nonprofits with capacity-building resources, including consultants with diverse subject matter expertise.
This partnership will leverage each organization’s strengths:
- PACE will operate the nonprofit consultant directory, maintain and verify quality control standards for included consultants, and recruit consultants in underserved categories and geographies
- Elevate NP will assist nonprofits and consultants in identifying and connecting with potential consulting partners tailored to their situation and increase regional awareness of this resource.
- Elevate NP and PACE will also collaboratively offer professional development programming for nonprofit consultants and host periodic consultant networking events.
What is the Navigation Program?
We are here to help nonprofit leaders connect to the best capacity building tools, resources, and providers for your situation.
How does Navigation work?
Step 1: Collect Initial Information
To help us get to know you, please first complete this short inquiry form. This allows us to connect with the right person at your organization, understand where you are starting from, and begin identifying how we might be able to help.
From there, your path is customized based on what resources you are looking for.
If we have an immediate answer to your question or recommended referral, we will share it with you directly by email and offer the option of a short, virtual meeting to answer any follow-up questions.
If you have a more complex question or want a closer look at your organization’s capacity, we will work with you to collect additional information about your organization to build a customized map of recommended tools, resources, organizations and experts to help you achieve your goals.
Step 2: Complete a Comprehensive Assessment
You will complete an online assessment questionnaire that dives deeper into your organization across ten capacity building dimensions:
- Mission and Strategic Planning
- Program Implementation
- Program Planning and Evaluation
- Governance and Leadership
- Human Resources
- Financial Resources
- Financial Management
- Fundraising and Development
- External Communications and Advocacy
- Ability to Manage Change
This questionnaire typically takes between 30 and 45 minutes and is best completed by an organization’s Executive Director.
Step 3: Share Our Findings
While most organizations report learning new things about their capacity just by completing the questionnaire, we will discuss a summary of your responses, identify areas for continued development, and if needed, ask you follow up questions by email or virtual meeting.
Step 4: Build a Map
We work with you to provide a customized set of recommended tools, resources, organizations, and experts available to help you achieve your goals and make introductions or referrals to those providers where possible.
Who do we serve?
At this time, Navigation is focused on serving organizations that meet the following criteria:
- 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization or fiscally sponsored project
- Located in our 12-county service area (Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Cambria, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Somerset, Washington, Westmoreland)
- Budget of between $100,000 and $5,000,000
- At least one paid employee
If your organization falls outside of these criteria but you are still interested in our services, please complete the inquiry form and our team will do our best to provide referrals or resources as our capacity allows.
What does it cost?
Navigation from Elevate NP is provided free of charge to organizations meeting the criteria above.
However, implementing our recommendations may have costs, such as pursuing training or hiring consultants. Where possible, we will help to identify those costs and provide suggestions on strategies to fund those capacity building recommendations, though implementing those recommendations is the responsibility of your organization. Elevate NP is not a grant making organization.
How will my information be used?
Elevate NP is committed to maintaining the highest standards of confidentiality regarding your information. The data you provide will be used by the Elevate NP team for the purpose of capacity building, resource matching for your organization.
We will only share your identifiable information with your consent to help make referrals to other capacity building providers, and if so, we will only share the minimum data necessary.
We may also use aggregate, non-identifiable information to identify sector-wide trends, plan future capacity building programming either as Elevate NP or in collaboration with other providers, and for evaluating our own impact.
For more information, please review our Privacy Policy.
Share a resource with us
Our Navigation program focuses on linking nonprofits to a wide range of capacity-building resources from around our region. If you know of a resource that we should consider sharing or referring to, please let us know by filling out the form below.