How long does a typical engagement last?

Most engagements start with a 30-minute call to understand your challenges and explore whether we're a good fit. No pressure, no sales pitch—just a real conversation about your programs and how we might help.

What's the investment range?

Program design projects typically range from $15,000 - $35,000. Comprehensive capacity building engagements can be $40,000 - $75,000. We understand BSO budgets are tight—let's talk about what's possible.

Can this be funded by our foundation grant?

Often, yes! Many foundations fund capacity building and technical assistance as part of their BSO support. We can help you position this in your grant proposal or budget narrative.

Will this work for our specific sector focus?

We adapt frameworks for tech, manufacturing, retail, food, creative industries, and more. The fundamentals of capital access apply across sectors—we just customize the examples and language.

What if our team is already overwhelmed?

That's exactly why we design for capacity constraints. We don't add work—we make your existing work more effective. And we can phase implementation so you're not doing everything at once.

Do you work with BSOs outside the Midwest?

Yes! While we're based in Cleveland and most clients are Midwest but we work nationally. We just focus on midsize cities and underserved markets.

About | GTB Advisors Increases Minority-Owned & Small Business Opportunities

Foundations

Foundation Strategy Designed by Someone Who's Run a Foundation

Why Foundations Choose GTB

We're not typical consultants—we've sat in your seat.

Foundation Insider Knowledge

Gloria spent 4 years as a foundation program director, navigating board politics, developing grantmaking thesis, and deploying millions across Ohio. We understand your constraints, not just your opportunities.

Full Capital Stack Expertise

We've been the lender who declined applications, the VC who passed on deals, and the foundation officer who funded programs. We know why capital doesn't flow—and how to fix it systemically.

Practitioner Perspective

We run entrepreneur programs ourselves (100+ workshops/year). We test frameworks before recommending them. If a program design doesn't work in practice, we won't recommend it to you.

Equity-Centered Approach

We don't bolt equity onto existing frameworks. We design programs specifically for BIPOC, women, and rural entrepreneurs—addressing root causes, not symptoms.

Book A Call

How We Help Foundations

Strategic advisory across your economic development portfolio

1

Portfolio Strategy
& Design

Your board asks: "Are we making a difference?" We help you design portfolios that move the needle—not just fund workshops.

● Grantmaking thesis development
● Portfolio architecture (what to fund, what not to)
● BSO capacity assessment (due diligence for grantees)
● Multi-year strategy roadmap
● Funding diversification for sustainability

2

Impact Measurement & Evaluation

Move beyond "entrepreneurs served" to measure actual capital access. Design systems that show board-level ROI.

● Theory of change development
● Outcome metrics that matter (capital accessed, not just workshops attended)
● Grantee reporting frameworks
● Portfolio-level impact assessment
● Data collection systems design

3

Program Design &
Capacity Building

Your grantees need more than money—they need programs that work. We design curriculum and capacity systems for your BSO grantees.

● Capital access curriculum frameworks
● BSO advisor training design
● Program implementation support
● Grantee cohort learning design
● Technical assistance strategy

4

Ecosystem Mapping & Collaboration

Understand your regional capital access landscape. Identify gaps, avoid duplication, design collaborative strategies.

● Capital provider landscape mapping
● BSO ecosystem assessment
● Funder collaborative design
● Gap analysis and opportunity identification
● Regional strategy development

Reality Check:
What We DON'T Do

We don't sell you shelf reports.

If you need someone to write a strategic plan that sits in a Google Drive, we're not your consultants.

We don't do
one-size-fits-all.

Your city, your entrepreneurs, your constraints are unique. We design for YOUR context, not generic "best practices."

We don't ignore capacity constraints.

If you have 3 staff and 200 entrepreneurs, we won't recommend a program that requires 10 staff to execute.

What You'll Actually Get

Ready-to-Use Curriculum

Advisor

Training

We don't ignore capacity constraints.

8-12 week capital access program frameworks with session plans, worksheets, advisor guides—adapt to your context and launch

Train your team on capital provider criteria, funding landscape, how to match entrepreneurs to capital sources—they leave confident, not confused

If you have 3 staff and 200 entrepreneurs, we won't recommend a program that requires 10 staff to execute.

Common Questions

Let's Start a Conversation

Most engagements begin with a 30-minute call to understand your challenges, explore fit, and discuss how we might work together. No obligation, no sales pitch

—just a genuine conversation about your portfolio.

Book A Call

Foundations

Why Foundations Choose GTB

How We Help Foundations

Strategic advisory across your economic development portfolio

Portfolio Strategy & Design

Impact Measurement & Evaluation

Program Design & Capacity Building

Ecosystem Mapping & Collaboration

Reality Check: What We DON'T Do

We don't sell you shelf reports.

If you need someone to write a strategic plan that sits in a Google Drive, we're not your consultants.

We don't do one-size-fits-all.

Your city, your entrepreneurs, your constraints are unique. We design for YOUR context, not generic "best practices."

We don't ignore capacity constraints.

If you have 3 staff and 200 entrepreneurs, we won't recommend a program that requires 10 staff to execute.

What You'll Actually Get

Ready-to-Use Curriculum

Advisor

Training

We don't ignore capacity constraints.

We don't ignore capacity constraints.

8-12 week capital access program frameworks with session plans, worksheets, advisor guides—adapt to your context and launch

Train your team on capital provider criteria, funding landscape, how to match entrepreneurs to capital sources—they leave confident, not confused

If you have 3 staff and 200 entrepreneurs, we won't recommend a program that requires 10 staff to execute.

If you have 3 staff and 200 entrepreneurs, we won't recommend a program that requires 10 staff to execute.

Common Questions

How long does a typical engagement last?

What's the investment range?

Can this be funded by our foundation grant?

Will this work for our specific sector focus?

What if our team is already overwhelmed?

Do you work with BSOs outside the Midwest?

Let's Start a Conversation

Portfolio Strategy
& Design

Program Design &
Capacity Building

Reality Check:
What We DON'T Do

We don't do
one-size-fits-all.