CoStarters 2-Day Collaborative Bootcamp for Nonprofits

A two-day collaborative intensive to help (2) nonprofit organizations work together to create a plan to drive transformational change in our community. (Suggestion: Sign-up for our June ALICE Idea Jam here to create a solid foundation for this bootcamp).

NOTE: You MUST find a nonprofit partner to collaborate with for this bootcamp. Each (1) organizations will register- filling out their information and payingfor their half of the bootcamp. We kindly recommend that you apply at/near the same time as your partner nonprofit to ensure you each claim a space.

During this four-part bootcamp, you’ll collaboratively work with other nonprofit peers to strategize, problem solve, and apply business basics to your idea. The goal of this intensive is to help you collaboratively design (or redesign) a program or service and develop a shared plan of action to prepare you for a joint application to our 2025-26 Catalyst Fund Grant. Come ready for a challenge, stretch your thinking, and apply concrete tools to bring your services to life. This bootcamp is not about listening; it’s about doing.

This workshop will be hosted in the United Way of Greater Chattanooga Hub for Social Innovation and facilitated by Hannah Lancaster, UWGC Director of Nonprofit Support and Innovation. Lunch and workshop materials will be provided.

Part 1: Discover - Understand your business model and how to refine it.

We’ll cover:

• Cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset
• Building your business model using The CO.STARTERS Canvas
• Refining your model with customer discovery
• Refining your model through starting small

Part 2: Promote - Learn how to market your services.

We’ll cover:

• Building relationships through marketing
• Crafting your message
• Choosing your marketing channels
• Developing your “pitch”

Part 3: Build - Dive into the basic building blocks needed for your financial modeling.

We’ll cover:

• Distributing your product or service
• Knowing your value (before you set your price)
• Understanding your costs
• Calculating a break-even point

Part 4: Launch - Build momentum by goal setting.

We’ll cover:

• Setting priorities
• Identifying 30, 60, and 90-day milestones
• Getting SMART about tasks
• Creating a plan + staying on track

Host or Publisher United Way of Greater Chattanooga