Free Technical Assistance and Resources
for City of Tacoma Nonprofits

Empowering Tacoma’s BIPOC and community-based nonprofits through training, resources, and one-on-one support.

Program Overview

The City of Tacoma is partnering with Collaborative Partners Initiative (CPIN) to provide capacity building support for non-profit and community organizations funded by the Neighborhood and Community Services Department and the Tacoma Creates program.

Our capacity building services are designed to help your organization run more smoothly and sustainably. From Board Development and 990 support to grant searches, application assistance, and funding compliance, we’ve got you covered. We also offer staff and volunteer coaching to strengthen your team and boost impact.

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Eligibility Criteria

Priority will be given to newer organizations, BIPOC-led organizations, and organizations serving communities most impacted by systemic oppression; for cultural organizations there is also a priority on organizations with budgets under $500,000.

You must fall into one of these criteria:

  • Currently funded by Tacoma Creates, or
  • Funded by the City of Tacoma Neighborhood and Community Services, or
  • Located in and serving the City of Tacoma
253-260-6862TCB@thecpin.com

What Our Patricipants Are Saying

"Not only did I save time, it boosted my confidence in accomplishing the tall task of putting together policies for our new organization."

"CPIN's individualized technical assistance improved our team's skills and increased our confidence in proposal writing strategy and practice. It is so rare to have the opportunity to receive this type of individualized feedback and skill-building coaching prior to the submission of a grant. I am now submitting proposals that are much stronger and more competitive thanks to this assistance. I am so grateful to have had this opportunity!"

“This support has significantly clarified the path forward and has prepared us to confidently pursue grant opportunities. Thank you for making such a tangible and positive difference for our organization.”

“With CPIN’s help, we were able to strengthen what we offer employees and include more free and affordable resources for mental health and overall wellbeing. The process saved us time and gave us confidence that our information is accurate and well-rounded. Our employees now have easier access to helpful support, even without a company health plan.”

"Working with CPIN was very helpful for my organization this fall. I have a small staff, and brainstorming new marketing, Social and audience development strategies with CPIN was extremely beneficial—I felt less alone! CPIN quickly understood the identity, offerings and needs of my organization and were able to tailor their support to my specific needs. I would highly recommend consulting services from CPIN for all non-profits."

Areas of Capacity Building Expertise

“Capacity Building" is a broad term that refers to anything that will help your organization operate more effectively and enable you to better achieve your mission. This can include assistance with:

  • Grant Management & Compliance
  • Financial Planning & 990 Readiness
  • Organizational Development & Leadership
  • Marketing & Communications Strategy
  • Technology & Data Tracking Tools
  • Board & Team Capacity Building

CPIN is a team of generalist specialists. If you have a problem, we can find someone on our team or in our network who can help.

Upcoming Workshops and Events

Stay connected and build new skills by joining our upcoming workshops and community learning events.

Free Learning Library

As part of the Tacoma Capacity Building Program, we are providing this collection of free resources. These include classes, templates and exercises on Business Development & Capacity, Grant Compliance, Grant Writing and Prospecting & Fundraising. Many of these resources have also been translated into Spanish.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who is eligible for the Tacoma Capacity Building Project?
Any nonprofit who is funded by the City of Tacoma Neighborhood and Community Services or Tacoma Creates automatically qualifies for this program. Other nonprofits that operate in and serve the City of Tacoma may also be eligible with additional approval and are encouraged to still apply.
Is the program free?
Yes! The technical assistance and workshops offered through the Tacoma Capacity Building program are completely free. If the services offered through this program are not enough support, we encourage you to contact us about our paid consulting services.
What types of support are available?
Our Capacity Building program includes three main areas of support. We offer up to four free technical assistance, free events to learn about different capacity building topics, and an archive of resources in our free Learning Library.
What is “Capacity Building”?
Capacity Building can include anything that will help your organization operate and execute your mission more effectively. CPIN can support you with Grant Management & Compliance, Organizational Development & Leadership, Financial Planning & 990 Readiness, Marketing & Communications Strategy, Technology & Data Tracking Tools, and Board & Team Capacity Building. If your needs fall outside of these categories, feel free to reach out and we can connect you with someone in our network who can possibly help.
How many hours of coaching can I receive?
We can offer you up to four hours of technical assistance, however these hours are first come first serve and we are running low. Please be sure to apply and schedule your intake as soon as possible to ensure that you can utilize all four hours before the end of the calendar year.
How can I prepare before applying?
Minimal preparation is required. It may be helpful to think about your organization’s current position and what road blocks you are currently encountering. If you don’t have any immediate needs, then consider what you wish you could achieve through your nonprofit if there were no limitations. It’s okay if you don’t know what you need assistance with, we can help with that too!
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