What We Do
Start. Build. Fund. Grow.
Whether you are developing an idea, strengthening an existing organization, preparing for funding, or planning for growth, Groundwork provides the knowledge, strategy, tools, and support needed to move forward.
Start
Turn the idea into a foundation.
For people who have an idea but need help determining what it should become and how to begin.
- Concept development
- Problem and need identification
- Market or community need
- Business or organizational model
- Products, programs, or services
- Target customer or population
- Startup planning
- Organizational structure
- Launch strategy
The goal is not simply to start something. The goal is to start with a foundation capable of supporting what comes next.
Build
Strengthen what you've started.
Many people successfully launch businesses and organizations without ever learning the fundamentals required to operate them.
- Business fundamentals
- Operations
- Financial management
- Budgeting
- Pricing and revenue
- Governance
- Policies and procedures
- Program development
- Technology
- Marketing and positioning
- Organizational systems
- Planning
Build is designed for people who have started but recognize that the organization needs stronger structure.
Fund
Become ready for the resources you need.
We do not begin with where can we find money. We begin with: are you ready for money? Groundwork helps businesses and organizations understand what funders, lenders, grantmakers, and sponsors expect.
- Capital readiness
- Business planning
- Financial projections
- Lender readiness and loan preparation
- Pitch development
- Business financial fundamentals
- Grant readiness
- Grant research and writing
- Program budgets
- Funding strategy
- Sponsorships
- Revenue diversification
The goal is not simply to pursue funding. The goal is to become fundable.
Grow
Build the capacity to scale.
Growth creates new challenges. Groundwork helps established businesses and organizations prepare for their next stage.
- Strategic planning
- Growth planning
- Operational development
- Leadership development
- Staffing strategy
- Program expansion
- Market expansion
- Partnership development
- Technology planning
- Capital strategy
- Organizational assessments
- Systems development
Growth should not simply make an organization bigger. It should make the organization stronger.
How We Deliver
Two
Platforms
Academy teaches. Advisory works directly with clients to address specific organizational needs.
Groundwork Academy
Learn what it takes to build.
Structured learning and development experiences — cohorts, workshops, bootcamps, trainings, technical assistance, working sessions, professional development, and capital- and grant-readiness programs. Participants enter at the stage that best reflects where they are.
Groundwork Advisory
When you need more than instruction.
Direct professional consulting and technical support for businesses, nonprofits, governments, and community organizations.
- Strategic planning
- Business planning
- Organizational assessments
- Grant research and writing
- Funding strategy
- Capital-readiness support
- Operational improvement
- Program development
- Governance development
- Policies and procedures
- Project planning
- Website and digital development
- Growth strategy
- Government consulting
- Community development consulting
Partnerships
Build Capacity in
Your Community.
Groundwork partners with governments, foundations, financial institutions, corporations, development authorities, chambers, and community organizations to deliver entrepreneurship, nonprofit development, funding readiness, and organizational development programming.
- Sponsor Academy cohorts
- Bring Groundwork Academy to a community
- Provide technical assistance to entrepreneurs
- Support small-business development
- Strengthen local nonprofits
- Deliver capital-readiness programming
- Provide grant-readiness training
- Develop entrepreneurship initiatives
- Create customized learning programs
- Provide ongoing advisory and technical assistance
Partners may fund programming so participants can access Groundwork Academy at reduced or no cost when sponsorship or contract funding is available.
Where to Begin
Not Sure
Where to Start?
You do not need to diagnose the problem before contacting Groundwork.
Tell us what you are trying to accomplish or where you are stuck, and we will help determine what groundwork needs to happen next.