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Operational Readiness

Operational Readiness

We set up the governance, records, policies, financial controls and systems an organization needs to run well and to qualify for funding. This work is for nonprofits, small for-profit companies and fiscally sponsored projects. Every engagement starts with the Readiness Diagnostic.

How it works

Step 1

Operational Readiness Assessment

A short, free questionnaire about your organization. You receive the three gaps most likely to slow you down and a recommendation on the next step.

Step 2

Readiness Diagnostic

A fixed-fee review, completed in 3 to 4 weeks. You receive a written gap assessment and a 12-month calendar.

Step 3

3-month retainer

We install what the Diagnostic found missing. The Diagnostic fee is credited toward the retainer.

The Readiness Diagnostic

A fixed fee, 3 to 4 weeks, paid upfront. It includes:

  • An intake questionnaire and a document request covering bylaws, policies, financial statements, filings, board materials and insurance.
  • A review of those documents and interviews with your leadership.
  • A written gap assessment across six areas: governance, compliance, financial controls, records, operations and fundraising infrastructure. Each gap is rated by urgency.
  • A 12-month operating and compliance calendar.
  • Recommendations on what to keep, what to delegate and what to defer.
  • A debrief call to walk through the findings.

The 3-month retainer

Month 1

Diagnose

  • Intake questionnaire and document request
  • Document review and leadership interviews
  • Written gap assessment, rated by urgency
  • 12-month operating and compliance calendar
  • Keep, delegate and defer recommendations
  • Debrief call
Month 2

Install the spine

  • A central records repository
  • Board packet, agenda, minutes and resolution templates
  • Core policies
  • Financial control and approval workflows
  • A donor and funder tracking system
Month 3

Fundable and scalable

  • A 12-month operating roadmap
  • A board dashboard
  • A case for support and donor-facing materials
  • A grant library: boilerplate, a budget template, organizational documents and a one-page summary, ready for your team to reuse
  • A 12-month development plan
  • Recommendations on staffing, vendors and systems

Months 4 to 6 (optional). Extensions run for up to three more months at the same monthly rate, with the scope for each month agreed in writing.

Pricing

Prices are set by your annual operating budget, or annual revenue for a for-profit client.

Service Under $250K $250K to $500K $500K to $2M $2M to $5M $5M to $10M Over $10M
Readiness Diagnostic $1,500 $2,000 $3,500 $5,000 $6,000 Custom
Retainer, per month 3-month term $2,500 $4,000 $6,000 From $8,000 From $10,000 Custom

Above $2M, the retainer is scoped from the price shown.

What is included at each size

Price reflects the size of what we build. More programs, staff, funding streams, policies, systems and board structure mean more work.

Under $250K

Leadership interviews
1
Policies drafted
3, plus financial controls
Board templates
Packet and minutes
Donor tracking
Spreadsheet
Donor materials
1
Meetings
Every two weeks

$250K to $500K

Leadership interviews
2
Policies drafted
5
Board templates
Full set
Donor tracking
Low-cost system, 1,000 records
Donor materials
1
Meetings
Weekly

$500K to $2M

Leadership interviews
3 to 4
Policies drafted
About 8
Board templates
Full set and committee charters
Donor tracking
System, 5,000 records
Donor materials
2
Meetings
Weekly, plus a board presentation

Over $2M

Leadership interviews
5 or more
Policies drafted
Scoped
Board templates
Scoped
Donor tracking
Scoped
Donor materials
Scoped
Meetings
Weekly, plus board and committees

The 3 core policies are the ones Form 990 asks about: conflict of interest, whistleblower and document retention.

Terms

  • The Diagnostic fee is credited in full toward a retainer that starts within 60 days.
  • The Diagnostic is paid in full upfront. The retainer is billed monthly, in advance.
  • Policies, bylaws, employee handbooks and entity briefs are drafts prepared for your attorney to review.
  • Fundraising activity is not included. We do not attend donor meetings, make asks or manage your pipeline.
  • Your team contacts funders and donors. We prepare the materials for that contact: the case for support, a pitch deck, talking points and draft messages.
  • When a funder has a program officer, we give you the name and the funder's published contact instructions.
  • You pay for third-party software, and accounts are set up in your organization's name.
  • Work outside your size band is quoted separately.
  • On this work, Elysian acts as a consultant. We set the process and make recommendations, and your organization decides what to adopt.

Add-ons

Flat fees, available with a retainer or on their own.

Add-on Flat fee
501(c)(3) Express Formation Form 1023-EZ eligible organizations$1,750
501(c)(3) Full Formation Standard Form 1023$4,500
SAM.gov and UEI registration Registration in SAM.gov is free. Our fee covers preparing and submitting it for you.$500
SAM.gov annual renewal$250
State charitable registration Plus state fees$250 per state
Board governance kit$1,000
Fiscal sponsorship setup$2,500
Entity structure brief$1,500
Donor database setupFrom $1,500

Registration in SAM.gov is free from the federal government, and you can register on your own at no cost. Our fee covers preparing and submitting the registration for you.

501(c)(3) eligibility. Form 1023-EZ eligibility is generally limited to organizations projecting under $50,000 in annual gross receipts (in any of the next three years) and under $250,000 in total assets. We verify eligibility during intake and recommend the correct filing path.

What formation includes

  • Articles of incorporation drafting
  • Bylaws development
  • IRS Form 1023 or 1023-EZ preparation and filing
  • EIN acquisition
  • State-level registration coordination (additional fees may apply based on jurisdiction)
  • Filing fee guidance (IRS filing fees are separate and paid directly to the IRS)

Typical timeline. Express formation: 4 to 6 weeks from intake to IRS submission. Full formation: 8 to 12 weeks, depending on organizational complexity and document development.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Readiness Diagnostic?
A fixed-fee review of your governance, compliance, financial controls, records, operations and fundraising infrastructure. It takes 3 to 4 weeks. You receive a written gap assessment with each gap rated by urgency, a 12-month operating and compliance calendar, and recommendations on what to keep, delegate and defer. The fee is credited in full toward a retainer that starts within 60 days.
How is my price set?
By your annual operating budget, or annual revenue for a for-profit client. The size of your organization determines how much we build: the number of policies, board templates, interviews and systems. The table on this page shows what is included at each size.
What happens after three months?
Most organizations finish with the 3-month term. If more work remains, extensions run for up to three more months at the same monthly rate, with each month's scope agreed in writing.
Do you raise money for us?
No. We build the systems and materials your organization uses to raise money. Donor meetings, asks and pipeline management stay with your team.
Are the policies and bylaws legal advice?
No. They are drafts prepared for your attorney to review before adoption.
Does SAM.gov registration cost money?
Registration in SAM.gov is free. Our $500 add-on covers preparing and submitting the registration for you.

Need a single grant application?

See Grant Writing

Pursuing a specific government contract?

See Contract Procurement

Ready to take the next step?

Start with the free Operational Readiness Assessment (ORA). You see your results when you finish, and we follow up within 3 business days.

Take the ORA