Application Process

August 15, 2023 – October 1, 2023

Pre-Application: Start by filling out a pre-application form on our website. Provide basic information about your nonprofit.

• • Nonprofits that meet the basic requirements for the Accelerator will be directed immediately to the full application.

• • If your organization is not yet ready, you will be directed to Jen Cooper, the Accelerator Navigator, who can help you explore how DANA can assist your organization in becoming Accelerator Ready.

Learn about being Accelerator Ready

Application and Assessment: If your organization is directed to the full application, you will have the opportunity to provide more information about your organization. The full application will ask questions about your interest in the program, your board’s approval to proceed, information about the leader’s background and their interest in participating.

• • Nonprofit Accelerator Assessment

Nonprofit Accelerator Assessment: Will be completed by applicants to help the selection team understand the stage of development of their nonprofit’s operations, governance, financial health, DEI practices, and technology usage.  The selection team will consider a balance of “readiness” across all organizational areas.

Board Authorization to Participate: Applicants will need to submit documentation showing that their board has voted to pursue participation in the program. A template of this authorization can be found here.

Documented Organizational Impact:  Applicants will be asked to upload documentation regarding the nonprofit’s impact. This can be a client, government or funding partner testimonial. Testimonials can be shared via PDF or Word document, or by video – whatever way your community wants to show their support for your organization!

Resume of Executive Director: This program also supports the Executive, the application asks some questions about the Executive’s background and interest in the program.

For your convenience DANA provides a PDF version of the pre-application.

Applicants who are ready to participate will automatically be directed to an invitation to complete a detailed application form. This will involve providing information about your organization, its impact, and its alignment with the program criteria.  

Interviews will be scheduled applicants on a rolling basis:  August 28, 2023 – October 13, 2023

DANA will schedule two 60 minute interviews with all qualified applicants. The interviews will be scheduled with the organization’s: 

• Board Chair  

• Executive Director  

The DANA team will use the information from the application assessment to learn more about the nonprofit’s unique situation and context to help inform the selection process.

Week of October 23rd 

A selection panel consisting of an independent and diverse group will review all applications and interview reports to choose up to eight organizations for the program.

Applicants will be notified of their acceptance by October 27, 2023

November 1, 2023 – December 31, 2023

This phase identifies the technical assistance and consulting plan for each accepted nonprofit. This involves taking a holistic organizational assessment to determine the nonprofit’s capacity development path (either catalyst or booster). A unique organizational development plan for the board, leadership, and organization will be created for each participating nonprofit and shared with the leadership and board for their review and approval. 

Upon being selected to participate, nonprofits will pay a $1000 non-refundable deposit towards their seat.  Upon completion of the assessment when the development pathway is selected the balance of 25% is due by December 31^st.  A payment plan will be set up for the remaining balance of the first year’s fee.

Participation Agreement:  The development plan and pathway selection will be approved by the board of directors, and a contractional agreement between the participating organization and DANA. This will include the fee for each year and the payment schedule.  Thanks to generous contributions, the 2023-2026 cohort of participating nonprofits will pay only 10% of the cost.  25% of the first-year fee will be due by December 31st.  

January 2024 – Date will be determined with final cohort members in November.