NONPROFIT GRANT PROGRAM
Clarity, Alignment, and a Plan That Actually Gets Executed.
Each year, a small number of nonprofits are selected to receive a strategic planning and operational grant—designed for organizations that are navigating too many competing priorities and ready to align around what matters most and execute.
The first step is a short application — about 10 minutes.
GRANT VALUE
Up to $35,000
Toward the full StratOp program
GRANTS AWARDED
2 Per Year
A limited number awarded each year
CURRENT DEADLINE
Sept 12th, 2026
Applications reviewed on a rolling basis
WHO QUALIFIES
Nonprofits
501(c)(3) organizations in active operation
WHO THIS IS FOR
You have the vision. You just need the structure to execute it.
Most leadership teams don't struggle with a lack of ideas—they struggle with too many competing priorities. When everything feels important, nothing gets executed.
You didn't get into this work to run endless planning meetings that produce nothing. You got in to make a difference, but the gap between vision and execution keeps getting wider.
You've likely been through strategic planning before. For some, it launched with momentum and quietly faded, and you're left unsure whether the problem was the plan, the execution, or something deeper, like alignment. For others, it worked, and now you've grown past it, the ground has shifted, or you're simply ready for the next chapter. Either way, the question is the same: how do you turn vision into something your whole team executes, week after week, month after month?
This grant is for you if you're ready to build a clear, impact-focused strategy that creates aligned momentum — whether you're starting fresh, rebuilding, or taking what already works to the next level.
"StratOp provides a structure for our team to come together intentionally to communicate, dream, and envision our goals while helping us focus on actions we can take to accomplish those goals. I can't imagine where we'd be (or not be) if we hadn't started using StratOp 5 years ago. "
— Katie A., President & CEO, Community Foundation of Abilene
What Organizations Experience
What a year of StratOp changes for organizations like yours
Why This Grant Exists
Strategic clarity should not be reserved only for organizations with the largest budgets.
Some of the most important work in the world is done by organizations that are not that big. They are leading real missions, making serious decisions, and stewarding limited resources with care.
A premier strategic planning process like StratOp is often out of reach for organizations that would benefit deeply from it. We do not think it should be.
That is why this grant exists: to make year long, high-caliber strategic and operational support accessible to capable, mission-driven teams that are ready to do serious work.
Selected organizations contribute a portion of the investment themselves. That shared commitment helps sustain the program and keeps the work serious on both sides.
Because when a mission matters, clarity matters too.
Brad Walton, Founder
Great Peaks Benefits · Licensed Paterson StratOp Guide
WHAT YOU RECEIVE
More than a planning event—a system that turns your strategy into momentum, month after month.
Twelve months of strategic and operational support, from building your plan to putting it into action, all while keeping your team aligned on the few priorities that matter.
Grant recipients receive a full-year StratOp engagement—the same proven system used by hundreds of organizations to build strategies that actually hold.
StratOp helps your team filter through competing possibilities and focus on the few priorities that will move your mission forward.
This grant significantly reduces the investment (typically $46,000+), and is reserved for a limited number of organizations each year.
The Nonprofit StratOp Program is designed for organizations that are ready to commit to the process and follow through on execution.
The StratOp Facilitation
Full Strategic Planning Process
A multi-day facilitated process that builds your organization's strategic framework — mission clarity, priorities, 90-day plans, and an execution system your team can follow.
Year of Operational Support
Ongoing Coaching & Implementation of the StratOp System
Following your StratOp, you receive a full year of quarterly reviews, ongoing coaching access, and implementation support to keep your plan alive and your team moving.
Strategic Dashboard & Tools
Execution Infrastructure
A customized Strategic Dashboard — a living tool that tracks priorities, measures progress, and keeps leadership aligned between planning sessions.
A 12 month engagement of Paterson StratOp is regularly offered at a full investment of $46,000+ depending on scope. Grant recipients receive a significant award that makes participation possible at a substantially reduced rate. Final grant amounts are determined during the application review process.
THE PROCESS
Built on the StratOp Framework
StratOp (Strategic Operations) is a structured facilitation process developed by Tom Paterson — one of the most proven strategic planning methodologies available to organizational leaders. It goes beyond a typical planning retreat. StratOp builds a shared strategic framework that your entire team owns, combined with an operational rhythm that keeps execution on track week after week.
It's used by Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits, ministries, and growing organizations of every kind. What makes it different is that it doesn't just produce a plan — it produces alignment.
WHAT LEADERS ARE SAYING ABOUT PATERSON STRATOP
From organizations just like yours.
"
StratOp is the underpinning of our success as we rebuilt a thriving organization post pandemic.
It guided us to create a shared vision, clear measurements of success, alignment of our board and staff, and clarity of our biggest risks. Our organization has never before had such clarity among its volunteers, staff, and stakeholders.
Sarah M.
Senior VP of Operations, YMCA
"
StratOp has been nothing short of revolutionary for our team.
It's given us a shared language and created a culture of accountability toward our overall mission.
Michelle P.
Grants Director, Community Foundation of Abilene
"
StratOp has given us clarity in determining which important tasks we need to focus on.
We used to get so overwhelmed with the seemingly endless areas that demanded our attention. Using StratOp, we've been able to isolate and prioritize tasks within any given timeframe and work on those specifically.
Greg M.
COO, Mulder Holding Company
All testimonials reflect results from organizations that have used the StratOp process. Not all testimonials are from organizations that participated in the Nonprofit StratOp Program. Testimonials provided by Paterson Center.
THE APPLICATION PROCESS
Three steps to find out if you qualify.
01
Submit Your Application
Complete the short application form — about 10 minutes. Tell us about your organization, your team, and where you're stuck.
02
Brief Fit Conversation
If your application looks like a strong fit, Brad will schedule a short call to confirm eligibility and answer your questions.
03
Grant Decision & Kickoff
You'll receive a decision within two weeks. If awarded, we'll set your StratOp date and begin preparation together.
Only 2 grants are awarded per year. Applications are reviewed in the order received.
COMMON QUESTIONS
A few things people usually ask.
Do we have to be a 501(c)(3)?
Most grant recipients are 501(c)(3) nonprofits or registered faith-based organizations.
However, purpose-driven businesses with a clear mission and demonstrated commitment to positive impact may also be considered.
What is the time commitment for our leadership team?
The StratOp facilitation typically requires a two-day off-site with your senior leadership team. Quarterly reviews run 2–3 hours each. Most leaders tell us the initial session is the most valuable two days they've spent on their organization.
How much will we actually pay after the grant?
StratOp is typically a $46,000+ investment for a full-year engagement, and this grant covers around $34,000–$35,000 of it. We ask that participating organizations invest the rest, a shared commitment that keeps the work serious on both sides.
What if we've tried strategic planning before and it didn't work?
That's one of the most common things we hear. StratOp addresses execution and alignment — not just the plan document. If your past planning produced something that sat on a shelf, that's a strong signal this process is exactly what you need.
How competitive is the application?
We review applications based on readiness and fit — not organizational size or prestige. A smaller nonprofit with a clear need has as strong a chance as any larger organization.
Your organization deserves a strategy it can actually execute.
Four grants. One year. A plan that holds. Apply today and find out if you qualify.
Only 2 grants awarded per year — applications reviewed in order received.
Apply today to find out if your organization qualifies for this year’s grant.