Since 1986, Tampa Connection has prepared more than 2,500 professionals to become active volunteers and leaders in the Tampa Bay community. The program, consisting of class learning days and execution of a project for a local nonprofit, encourages leadership development, building relationships, and community awareness.

The Tampa Connection Board of Directors is seeking local nonprofit organizations to submit project proposals to be considered for the 2023-2024 program. A limited number of nonprofit projects are selected to be carried out by the Tampa Connection class members during the program year (August – May)

Teams consisting of 10-15 members from the Class Program are asked to take full responsibility for the planning and implementation of the projects selected for the participating nonprofits in partnership with the organization.

• We encourage Nonprofits to be creative in identifying a meaningful project that would benefit your organization, The most successful projects have the following while utilizing the diverse skills of Class Members to the fullest. characteristics:
• Tangible
• Well-defined by the organization
• Goal-oriented
• Achievable within 6 months

Examples of past projects can be found here.

All nonprofit project applications will be reviewed by the Tampa Connection Board. Applicants will be notified in mid July whether they were selected as a finalist to present to the Board of Directors. Project finalists will be asked to make a brief presentation to the board members on August 1, 2023. If chosen for the program, organizations are expected to attend multiple days including the Purpose and Projects program on October 5, 2023, where you will have a chance to explain your project and expectations to the Ta m p a Connection class members who will be working on your project. Organizations are also expected to attend monthly team meetings to ensure the project is on track and project deliverables are meeting the needs of the nonprofit.

If your organization would like to submit a project idea for consideration, please complete an application as soon as . No applications will be accepted after June 9, 2023. If you have questions regarding the process or project possible ideas, please email administrator@tampaconnection.org.

PLEASE NOTE: Fundraising under any capacity for the nonprofit organization is not an acceptable project for the Tampa Connection class members. Any applications with a fundraising component will not be considered. The nonprofit is responsible for funding any needed seed money or supplies for the project. Additionally, our class members typically do not have the skills to create websites. Nonprofits applying for this type of project or any other technology type of project will be asked to have a technology employee available from the organization. Material and information can be gathered, but coding and creation will most likely be outside of the skillset of the class members.

Due to the nature of Tampa Connection’s nonprofit application process and volunteer class members, Tampa Connection cannot guarantee the protection of confidential information, if any, shared through this application or with Tampa Connection’s Board of Directors or class members. Applicants are encouraged to identify proposed projects and share project information, ideas, and goals with this in mind.