From Idea to Funding: Preparing Your Organization for Philanthropic Opportunities with Zack Terakedis
- Onnie Michalsky, MA, LCPC
- 1 hour ago
- 4 min read
This month, mental health professionals and community partners gathered to hear from Zack Terakedis, Executive Director of the Billings Community Foundation. Zack shared how grants and other philanthropic resources can help fund programs, services, and projects that strengthen mental health in our community. The presentation focused on what businesses and organizations need to have in place before pursuing outside funding, including the types of professional business structures that allow for diverse funding opportunities. Attendees also learned about fiscal sponsorship, grant readiness, and what it takes to successfully attract and manage state and federal grant funding.
Expanding Business with Philanthropic Partners
There are resources available to support projects that improve the mental health and well-being of our communities but securing funding starts long before an application is submitted. Throughout the presentation, attendees learned how thoughtful planning and the right organizational structure can help position a business, nonprofit, or community initiative to pursue grants and other philanthropic resources.
The Billings Community Foundation (BCF) has supported philanthropy in Billings and the surrounding region since 2007, working to connect donors and charitable organizations with opportunities to make a meaningful impact. Its work extends beyond awarding grants. BCF helps donors direct their giving toward community needs, supports nonprofit growth through training, leadership support, and collaboration, and provides philanthropic tools and resources for individuals, organizations, and businesses. Since its inception, BCF has distributed more than $3.7 million in grants and distributions to charitable organizations and projects throughout the Yellowstone Valley region.
One of the key topics explored during the presentation was the different professional business structures that can open the door to diverse sources of funding. For mental health professionals with an idea for a program or community project, understanding how that project is structured and whether it actually needs to become its own nonprofit, is an important first step in determining which funding opportunities may be available.
Attendees were also introduced to fiscal sponsorship, a resource BCF offers to help individuals and groups doing charitable work start and grow community projects without first having to establish an independent nonprofit organization. This opened up an important conversation about ways professionals can think creatively about bringing an idea to life while still having the organizational and financial structure necessary to pursue philanthropic support.
The conversation also highlighted the many different ways philanthropy can happen. In addition to traditional grants, BCF works with donor-advised funds, endowments, corporate giving programs, and other charitable giving strategies designed to connect resources with community needs. For professionals accustomed to thinking primarily about grants, the presentation offered a broader look at the partnerships and funding possibilities that may exist for community-focused projects.
Finally, attendees learned about preparing for, attracting, and managing state and federal grants. Grant funding can create exciting opportunities to expand services and address unmet needs, but it also comes with responsibilities related to planning, administration, reporting, and financial management. Being prepared on the front end can help organizations determine whether a funding opportunity is truly a good fit and whether they have the capacity to manage it successfully.
Attendees left with a broader understanding of the resources that may be available to support mental health-related projects and, perhaps more importantly, what needs to happen before asking for the money. The conversation encouraged professionals to think beyond the traditional boundaries of their businesses and consider how partnerships, philanthropy, fiscal sponsorship, and grant funding could help turn ideas for improving community mental health into sustainable initiatives.
Meet Zack Terakedis
Zack brings extensive experience working in both the for-profit and nonprofit sectors, with a background in operations, organizational development, and helping teams improve their effectiveness. Through his work with the Billings Community Foundation, Zack helps organizations and community leaders better understand the philanthropic resources and partnerships available to support their work. His experience includes strengthening organizational systems, coaching and developing personnel, and using assessment and evaluation to help organizations achieve meaningful results. Zack brings a practical, results-focused perspective to helping organizations build the foundation they need to grow, pursue funding opportunities, and create a greater impact in their communities.
Lunch Sponsor:
Thank you Billings Community Foundation for providing lunch at our monthly providers meet-up!
Helpful Links
Announcements
New Community Bulletin Section in YCMHA Weekly Newsletter: Submit listings to hello@ycmentalhealthalliance.com
Peer Consultation for Circle members is on August 20th
Next Provider Meet-up is September 9th at Noon (404 N. 30th)
Looking for More Opportunities to Connect?
The Yellowstone County Mental Health Alliance launched the Montana Circle, a statewide community designed specifically for licensed and pre-licensed mental health professionals. Circle members gain access to exclusive networking events, peer consultation calls, book discussions, resource sharing, and meaningful connections with colleagues across Montana. If you're looking to expand your professional network, collaborate with other clinicians, and feel more connected in your work, learn more about joining the Montana Circle at montanacircle.com
About the Yellowstone County Mental Health Alliance
The Yellowstone County Mental Health Alliance brings together mental health professionals, healthcare providers, educators, nonprofit organizations, and community partners to strengthen connections, improve collaboration, and support mental health services throughout Yellowstone County.
Interested in Speaking at a Future Meet-Up?
We are always looking for speakers to present at our monthly meet-ups. We meet at noon on te second Wednesday of each month and would love to have you come share about your organization and how we can work together to serve those seeking mental health services! Email support@ycmentalhealthalliance.com
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