The Management Assistance Grants (MAGs) program, offered by The Forbes Funds, supports nonprofit collaboratives in the Greater Pittsburgh region with capacity-building projects. These grants reimburse the cost of hiring third-party consultants to help human services and community-based nonprofits enhance their impact. The program is designed for Allegheny County-based 501(c)(3) organizations that are willing to engage in a collaborative process and use third-party expertise to guide their projects.
Eligible projects focus on strategic needs such as financial sustainability, mission growth, board performance enhancement, employee performance models, and leadership development. Collectives must seek bids from at least three consultants before contracting and must undertake projects not already in progress. The process requires a Nonprofit Needs Assessment and financial scan as part of the application.
The grant cycle includes a multi-step process, starting with a Letter of Intent (LOI) followed by meetings with The Forbes Funds to refine the project concept. Organizations submit applications after the collective and The Forbes Funds determine readiness. Application deadlines occur quarterly, with deadlines in December, March, June, and September. Funding decisions are announced approximately two months after application submission.
To apply, the lead organization must be a 501(c)(3) in Allegheny County, partnered with other organizations committed to a collaborative process and project development. Eligible projects must address a defined capacity-building challenge aligned with the collaborative's goals and meet all application requirements.
Organizations interested in MAGs are encouraged to contact The Forbes Funds team with a summary of their needs and goals. While not all projects receive funding, The Forbes Funds prioritizes providing advice and capacity-building support to nonprofit leaders and their boards. For further information or assistance, prospective applicants can connect with the MAGs team directly.
