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Institutional Readiness™

Lane Advancement Checklist

A Quick Guide to What You Must Have to Move Forward

How to Use This Checklist

• This checklist determines movement, not time spent

• Advancement requires evidence, not effort

• Skipping steps increases risk and delays funding

Lane I → Lane II

Institutional Formation & Compliance

To advance, ALL items below must be complete.

Legal & Compliance

Legal entity formed and in good standing EIN issued and IRS status confirmed State filings current Required insurance identified and active

Financial Foundations

Dedicated organizational/business bank account No commingling of personal and business funds Basic financial tracking system in place

Governance / Ownership

Board of Directors established (Nonprofit) Bylaws finalized (Nonprofit) Officers identified (Nonprofit) Operating or shareholder agreement finalized (For-Profit) Ownership percentages documented (For-Profit)

Readiness Standard
You are not yet ready to apply for institutional funding. Before pursuing grants, you need to build the foundation that funders require.

Your next step: Join the 8-Week Grant Ready Accelerator — a structured, done-with-you program covering mission and vision, board development, financial compliance, strategic programming, and more. Includes 3 done-for-you grant applications.

If any box is unchecked, you remain in Lane 1 and are not eligible for advisory services at this time.

Lane II → Lane III

Institutional Readiness Build

To advance, ALL items below must be complete.

Financial Operations

Approved operating or program budget Financial statements produced consistently Clear revenue and expense categories

Programs / Business Model

Programs, services, or products clearly defined Costs documented and tied to delivery or revenue Outcomes or performance indicators identified

Leadership & Structure

Roles and responsibilities documented Decision-making authority clearly defined

Grant-Ready Infrastructure

Centralized grant-ready document folder Core documents current and organized

Readiness Standard
A funder could reasonably conclude you can manage funds responsibly.

You are eligible to begin building your funding pipeline. We have 3 packages to choose from based on what best fits your situation — view all packages here.

"Mostly done" does not qualify for advancement.

Lane III → Lane IV

Funding Strategy & Positioning

To advance, ALL items below must be complete.

Funding Strategy

Clear funding priorities defined Appropriate funder types identified Eligibility criteria mapped

Pipeline & Planning

Qualified 12-month funding pipeline built Funding calendar populated and prioritized

Positioning

Use-of-funds narrative finalized Positioning tailored by funder type

Decision Controls

Go / No-Go criteria documented Internal application strategy approved

Readiness Standard
Every application submitted has a documented rationale and strategy.

You are ready to move from pipeline building to consistent, strategic submissions. We have 3 packages to choose from based on what best fits your situation — view all packages here.

Submitting grants without strategy does not qualify.

Lane IV → Lane SCALE

Funding Execution & Scale

To operate responsibly at this level, ALL items below must be in place.

Funding Execution

High-value funding applications submitted or active Submission records documented Deadlines actively managed

Compliance & Reporting

Ability to track restricted funds Reporting templates created Internal controls validated

Enterprise / Government Readiness (If Applicable)

SAM / UEI registration active Government compliance requirements met

Scalability

Multi-year funding strategy documented Capacity plan approved

Readiness Standard
Organization can absorb, manage, and report on significant capital without structural risk.

You are operating at the highest level of institutional readiness. We have 3 packages to choose from based on what best fits your situation — view all packages here.

Winning funding is not required. Readiness to manage it is.

Your Current Lane: Lane I

"Progress is earned by meeting standards, not by intention."

Take the Institutional Readiness Assessment

Engagements begin with a confidential readiness assessment.

Capital readiness and non-dilutive funding advisory for organizations committed to meeting The Institutional Readiness Standard™.

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