DISH (Delivering Innovation in Supportive Housing)
Organization
DISH provides permanent housing and support services for over 800 formerly homeless adults and families with chronic health issues at nine supportive housing sites. With DISH’s help, they get off the streets, rebuild their lives, and strengthen our communities. Through its work, DISH hopes to demonstrate the healing effects of home and stable community, to reinforce the self-worth of persons who have not had access to a clean, beautiful place to live, and to involve tenants in healthy and life affirming activities by drawing upon the diverse opportunities for community building in San Francisco.
Issue
How can this nonprofit develop a plan for the first 1-3 years after it transitions from fiscal sponsorship by Tides Center to operating as an independent 501(c)(3) organization?
Situation
DISH is currently in a new phase of development: spinning off from long-time fiscal sponsor Tides Center to become a fully independent 501(c)(3) organization. This will allow DISH to be nimbler in its support for residents and staff, allow for greater autonomy for expansion, and create a dedicated Board of Directors to guide the organization. This year, it is developing a new Executive Leadership Structure and working on financial sustainability. DISH has a detailed plan for the activities that will lead it to be fully independent of Tides by July 1, 2025.
Project Overview
DISH would like an ACT project team to help develop a robust plan for the significant organizational and operational changes in the first 12 months of independence, starting in July 2025, and a general overview of additional steps in the transition over the next 2-3 years. The plan will:
- define effective management of milestones and deliverables;
- identify leadership and staffing structure;
- define workflow processes;
- develop finance, legal, and HR systems; and
- transition from an advisory to a fiduciary board.
Other
This is a Full Team project:
- Scope: High-priority organizational challenge involving strategy or management
- Team Size: 4-6 consultants, including 1-2 project leaders
- Project Duration: 6 months
- Estimated time Contribution: Team member: 3-4 hrs/week, Project leader: 5-6 hrs/week
Read more about the Full Team Project Consultant role and the Project Leader role.