How long does a typical engagement last?

Discovery and strategy design: 2-3 months. Implementation support: 3-12 months depending on scope. Some foundations work with us on retainer for ongoing advisory.

What's the investment range?

Portfolio strategy projects typically range from $25,000-$50,000. Comprehensive multi-year engagements can be $75,000-$150,000. We can discuss budget parameters in our initial conversation.

Do you work with our grantees directly?

Yes, often. We can train your BSO grantees, design programs they implement, or provide technical assistance. This is usually structured as part of your portfolio strategy.

Can you help us measure impact we've already funded?

Absolutely. We design retrospective evaluation frameworks and help you gather data from existing grantees to demonstrate portfolio-level impact.

Do you have experience with our geographic focus?

We work primarily in Midwest, Southeast, and East Coast markets—particularly midsize cities and rural communities. If your focus is coastal metros, we may not be the best fit.

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.

Foundations | GTB Advisors Helps Foundations

Foundations

Foundation Strategy Designed by Someone Who's Built a Portfolio

Why Foundations Choose GTB

Four years as Co-Developer and Founding Director of KeyBank Center for Technology and Inclusive Growth. Co-created $5M Focus Fund. We know foundation governance, board dynamics, and what it takes to move capital effectively.
We're not typical consultants—we've sat in your seat.

Foundation Insider Knowledge

Gloria spent 4 years as a grantmaker and 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 decision who funded programs. We know why capital doesn't flow—and how to fix it systemically.

Practitioner Perspective

We run entrepreneur programs with partners.. We test frameworks before recommending them.

Equity-Centered Approach

We don't bolt equity onto existing frameworks. We design programs specifically for BIPOC, women, neurodiverse, veteran 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

What You'll Actually Get

Not shelf reports—actionable strategies and implementation support

Strategic
Documents

Portfolio strategy memo, grantmaking framework, evaluation plan, ecosystem map—board-ready and actionable

Implementation Tools

BSO assessment templates, grantee reporting frameworks, decision-making rubrics, measurement dashboards

Training & Capacity Building

Workshop your team or grantees, train BSO advisors, facilitate board discussions, coach program officers

Ongoing
Advisory

Not one-and-done. We stay engaged through implementation—troubleshooting, refining, measuring

How We Work Together

From discovery to implementation

1

Discovery & Diagnosis

(2-4 weeks)

We start by listening. Stakeholder interviews (board, staff, grantees), portfolio review, ecosystem assessment. What's working? What's not? Where are the gaps? What does success look like?

Custom strategy development—not generic frameworks. Portfolio architecture, measurement systems, grantee selection criteria, multi-year roadmap. Iterative refinement with your team.

2

Strategy

Design

(4-6 weeks)

We help you present to your board. Craft the narrative, anticipate questions, demonstrate ROI. We can present alongside you or coach you to present solo.

3

Board Presentation & Buy-In

(1-2 weeks)

— Name, Title

Strategy is useless on a shelf. We help you implement: train staff, build systems, support grantees, troubleshoot challenges, refine based on what's working.

4

Implementation Support

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.

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Is This Right for Your Foundation?

Best fit criteria for Foundation clients

Foundation Size

$10M-$500M assets under management
Community or regional foundations
Corporate foundations with economic development focus
National funders supporting local ecosystems

Focus Area

Economic development
Entrepreneurship ecosystem building
Workforce development
Racial equity / inclusive economy

Geography

Midwest, Southeast, East Coast focus
Midsize cities (50k-500k population)
Rural and underserved markets
Multi-city/regional portfolios

Readiness Indicators

Board asking hard questions about impact
Portfolio feels scattered or unclear
Grantees struggling to show results
Seeking to operationalize equity commitments