The Center for Caregiver Advancement (CCA) builds the workforce of highly trained professional caregivers, including both home care workers and those who provide skilled care in a nursing home setting. CCA first approached Elevate in 2020 at the recommendation of a peer organization. They had a successful program model and strong relationships with public agencies across the state of California that were interested in investments in CCA’s work, and they had been encouraged to apply for a large grant from the state’s Workforce Development Board. CCA itself had limited support from grants, due largely to limited institutional funding available to support the caregiver workforce. They needed near-term support for the large state grant request, and longer-term, they wanted to better understand the landscape of grant opportunities that might help the organization to diversify its revenues.
CCA regularly receives invitations or recommendations to apply for grants from different public agencies or other aligned funding sources. Each application has a unique focus, guidelines, attachment needs, and submission processes. CCA typically has about 5 weeks between becoming aware of an opportunity and the deadline. Once they confirm eligibility and the focus of a request, the CCA team will reach out to Elevate to share the RFP and guidelines.
Elevate then plans a Writing Capacity Project based on the complexity of the proposal, executes an agreement with CCA, and assigns a writer to the project – a process that typically takes about three to four days.
The Elevate writer then reviews the RFP, develops a work plan and application template, meets with the CCA team to discuss the components of the proposal, and works with CCA to collect the program details, data, budgets, and other attachments required for the submission. The writer drafts the narrative sections, incorporates edits and revisions from CCA, compiles the final application package, and submits the request.
Over three years of work together, Elevate and CCA have completed more than six Writing Capacity Projects for funding requests from California public agencies. These requests have resulted in more than $30 million in funding, including several multi-year awards. The grants have supported CCA to expand its CNA Registered Apprenticeship Program across California; provide critical training to caregivers in their native languages on topics such as Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia, Emergency Preparedness, Home Safety, Medication Safety, and CPR and First Aid; and pilot a training partnership program that helps vulnerable populations prepare for climate-related emergencies by training the caregivers who are responsible for their safety. The planning and implementation of these programs has further strengthened CCA’s relationship with agencies, opening the door for future opportunities.
The Center for Caregiver Advancement (CCA) builds the workforce of highly trained professional caregivers, including both home care workers and those who provide skilled care in a nursing home setting.
"The Elevate team brings deep knowledge of the grants process, effective systems for collecting information, and exceptionally strong writing to each Writing Capacity Project. We have moved further with Elevate in a shorter period of time than we have with any other fundraising model we have tried thus far."