Reflections on Transformation Challenge Applications
The Mapt Transformation Challenge is a competitive grant opportunity for Indiana’s nonprofit community designed to help them reimagine their futures and amplify their impact. In starting Mapt, we wanted to help make critical planning services more accessible to nonprofits - especially those who are just getting started, small or navigating difficult periods of change. Offering the Transformation Challenge is just one example of how we’re putting that vision into action.
We thoroughly enjoyed our journey with the 2023 Challenge winner, Happy Hollow Children’s Camp, and can’t wait to kick off a year of transformation with the 2024 winner (stay tuned – announcement coming at the end of the month!)
This year’s application process, which closed in March, saw nearly twice as many applications as last year, representing all corners of the state and a wide variety of causes. As our team pored over the submissions, we noticed some trends and commonalities among the organizations applying and thought it was an interesting snapshot of the issues nonprofits are facing in our communities. A few reflections from our team:
Adapting to Post-Pandemic Life
In 2023, many of the applications described the impact of COVID as a reason the organization was facing challenges. This year, we saw more organizations sharing the ways that they had adapted or grown due to the pandemic and seeking help in solidifying their directions and identities as a result of those changes.
More established organizations that were forced to adapt during COVID are now looking for ways to incorporate those changes into their regular operations. Newer organizations indicated how deeply they were shaped by that time period.
Many applicants pointed to the pandemic as a catalyst for expanding their reach through virtual methods that were less available prior to the COVID era.
Areas of Support Needed
Several organizations feel they have maxed out their programmatic capacity and are looking to chart a strategic path forward.
The organizations that made adaptations in the past few years are looking to redefine their business model to ensure it is still aligned to their mission and the needs of their community.
We saw two types of commitment – organizations who are committed to serving their local communities and want to expand their scope within those communities, and organizations who are committed to the programming and services they offer but want to expand their reach.
Quite a few submissions articulated the need for more and deeper partnerships across their community. We reflected on how impactful those partnerships can be in small and midsize organizations’ operations.
Many applicants are looking to diversify their funding streams and are seeking strategic development planning. Many have gotten time-restricted support in recent years from COVID-related programs and know that they need to prepare for a sustainable revenue path forward.
Excited for Transformational Change
Leaders often indicated that they know a strategic plan is needed, but they haven’t had an opportunity to dive into creating one. Those organizations are looking for a partner to help them identify a planning path forward, and then help implement that plan.
Many applicants have reflected on the future and have recognized a need for an external partner for additional perspective and capacity.
We noticed there were more organizations coming to the table with an open mind. Rather than saying ‘this is exactly what we need to do,’ they indicated that they expected and wanted change (music to our ears!).
This year’s batch of applicants was extremely impressive, and reviewing the 2024 submissions has left our team feeling humbled and grateful for all those doing incredible, tireless work to better our communities. Emily Nelson, Mapt Engagement Manager, is honored to be leading the selection process this year:
“I appreciate all of our applicants, not just for the time they took to apply, but for the ways in which they are assessing where they are, the opportunities ahead of them and the support needed to get there. I am encouraged by the many passionate organizations solving for critical needs in our state.”
Look for the 2024 Transformation Challenge winner announcement at the end of April – be sure to follow Mapt on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram to hear the news first.