Technical Assistance Partnerships
Empowering nonprofits through hands-on support to strengthen sustainability and impact
Technical Assistance Partnerships (TAPs)
The Peter G. Dodge Foundation's Technical Assistance Partnerships program provides pro-bono technical assistance hours to national nonprofit partners focused on addiction and recovery, mental health, and wellness.
Technical assistance helps nonprofits operate more effectively and strengthens their sustainability by providing specialized skills and services not already resident within the organization. Our TAPs program provides gifts of time rather than funding, leveraging our expertise and years of experience in the addiction field to help partners achieve specific, measurable goals toward effecting meaningful change.
The TAPs program is oriented toward helping partners build their organizational assets toward long-term sustainability, ultimately improving outcomes for those who struggle with addiction.
How It Works
Partnerships are awarded for either a six-month or one-year term and can be renewed. The partnership consists of consulting and technical assistance services assigned pro-bono. PGDF collaborates with prospective grantees to set goals and allocate time for each award.
Please note: These gifts are made by invitation only; we do not accept unsolicited inquiries. TAPs awards do not include financial support at this time. Prospective partners are 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations within the United States.
Program Objectives
Building and piloting new programs or resources
Advancing initiatives that develop humane policies, professional competency, and/or public understanding
Fostering collaboration, issue awareness, and engagement among diverse stakeholders
Applying strategic, practical solutions to fill gaps and dissolve roadblocks
Areas of Interest
Strengthening early recovery
Focusing on alcohol and polysubstance use
Endorsing a holistic view of treatment and recovery that addresses resilience, wellness, and any underlying trauma or co-occurring mental health issues
Cultivating systems and resources that create recovery-friendly environments
Program Strengths
Expertise in project management, program development, and nonprofit operations
Deep knowledge of addiction treatment and recovery landscapes
Skilled at partner management and network building
Experience organizing information for effective, strategic communication
Completed Projects
Partnership to End AddictionExternal Partnerships
This four-year partnership embedded PGDF executive director Liz Cairns as Director of External Partnerships at the moment the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) merged with Partnership for Drug-Free Kids to become Partnership to End Addiction. In this role, Liz coordinated and nurtured the two longstanding organizations' professional relationships, including: creating a database of existing and aspirational partner relationships; creating the Community Partners Network program, consisting of 250+ locally based nonprofit organizations across the U.S.; creating webinars and written content with local and national partners on prevention, treatment, and services for families; and contributing to program initiatives and grant proposals where partners were involved. This hybrid of technical assistance and funding inspired the model for our Technical Assistance Partnerships program.
Connecting one of the most prominent organizations in the field with national and local partners fosters collaboration, reduces duplicated effort, and allows more people to access high quality information and services.
“Partnership to End Addiction’s grant award from PGDF… took place during a critical period in the integration phase of our strategic merger and while we were developing our roadmap for future success. Building our database of key relationships, establishing the framework for our community partner network, and creating meaningful opportunities for program- and funding-related collaborations [were] foundational to the impact we are achieving today. In many ways, Liz and PGDF have been key contributors to our mission, and our plans for long-term sustainability and transformation. We are deeply grateful!”
— Creighton Drury, CEO, Partnership to End Addiction
Partnership to End AddictionCommunity Partners Network
As our first official TAPs award, this project awarded 200 pro-bono hours toward updating and ensuring the continuation of Community Partners Network (CPN). A national network of locally-based organizations focused on substance use and mental health, CPN helps end addiction in the United States by bringing together partners from every community to exchange ideas and spark opportunities for impact. PGDF executive director Liz Cairns founded this network in 2020 and grew it to 250+ organizations before transitioning it to Partnership staff. This project examined the strategic potential of CPN, updated all language, promotion, and operations of the program, and assigned new staff roles to manage it going forward.
Connecting professionals from across the U.S. to share information and resources improves the knowledge base of those working to support prevention, treatment, and recovery.
Partnership to End Addiction is forever indebted to PGDF for their support of our Community Partners Network. The 360+ organizations in the network bring Partnership's lifesaving resources to communities in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. By expanding our reach to nearly every corner of the country, PGDF has enabled the CPN to reach millions of people who rely on the digital tools and coaching Partnership provides.
— Kristin Lamendola, Vice President of Business Development, Partnership to End Addiction
Mobilize RecoveryStrategic Analysis
This one-year project assigned 150 pro-bono hours to examine the structure, mission, operations, and relative position of Mobilize Recovery and engage in a planning process to optimize the organization's long- term goals and stability. PGDF executive director Liz Cairns joined the organization's staff, participating in the 2024 Mobilize Recovery Across America tour by helping with communications, special guests, and the Day of Service website and materials. The project culminated in a six-page final report of analysis and recommendations that was shared with the Mobilize Recovery Board of Directors.
Providing a new perspective to a leading organization at a moment of transition helps them improve their operations and reach more people effectively, strengthening the recovery community.
The Peter Dodge Foundation's in-kind grant proved invaluable to Mobilize Recovery in 2024… the Foundation's support for communication, outreach, and policymaker liaison services was critical. [They] brought invaluable organizational experience and strategic thinking to the project, which were key to its success.
— Ryan Hampton, Co-Founder, Mobilize Recovery
Mobilize RecoveryCampus Surge
Interested in Partnering with Us?
While our Technical Assistance Partnerships are awarded by invitation only, we're always interested in connecting with organizations that share our mission. Contact us to learn more about potential collaboration.
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