The Six Pillars of Fundability™ define what must be strong. The Fundability Assessment™ evaluates readiness across those Pillars. The Fundability Score™ measures that readiness and helps identify the organization’s current Fundability Level. From there, the Fundability Pathway™ identifies the steps required to close gaps and move toward funding readiness.
- Six Pillars of Fundability™ — what must be strong
- Fundability Assessment™ — how readiness is evaluated across the Six Pillars
- Fundability Score™ — how readiness is quantified
- Five Fundability Levels™ — where the organization currently stands
- 8-Step Fundability Pathway™ — what the organization does next
- Seven Institute Programs — how the Institute delivers the support
- Build → Prepare → Fund — the simplified high-level journey
The Foundation
The Six Pillars of Fundability™
Fundability is built before funding is pursued. The Six Pillars of Fundability™ identify the foundational areas an organization must strengthen in order to demonstrate readiness, credibility, stewardship, and capacity.
Pillar 1
Organizational Identity
Who are you?
The legal structure and brand foundation that establish organizational identity.
Pillar 2
Governance & Leadership
Who is minding this?
The board, leadership, accountability, and oversight responsible for the organization.
Pillar 3
Financial Integrity
Can you be trusted with money?
The financial records, systems, controls, and stewardship that demonstrate financial responsibility.
Pillar 4
Program Design & Impact
Does your work produce results?
The programs, services, outcomes, evidence, and measurable impact produced by the organization.
Pillar 5
Compliance & Documentation
Can you prove all this?
The policies, records, compliance requirements, governing documents, and organizational evidence required to demonstrate readiness.
Pillar 6
Brand & Credibility
Do others vouch for you?
The reputation, relationships, visibility, trust, and external credibility that influence confidence in the organization.
The Fundability Institute™ assesses your organization’s readiness across these Six Pillars, identifies the gaps that may limit funding readiness, and provides a structured pathway for strengthening what funders, partners, donors, and stakeholders expect to see.
- Six Pillars
- Assessment
- Fundability Score
- Fundability Level
- Fundability Pathway
- Build → Prepare → Fund
What Happens Next
The 8-Step Fundability Pathway™
The eight steps are what your organization does next. They are not the five Fundability Levels, and they are not the seven programs — the programs are how the Institute delivers support through these steps.
Explore Each Step of the 8-Step Fundability Pathway™
Fundability Levels
Every Organization Begins Somewhere. Discover Where Yours Stands Today.
The Fundability Assessment™ identifies your organization’s current level of readiness and provides a customized roadmap for building a stronger, more fundable future.
- Level 1Vision
- Level 2Foundation
- Level 3Capacity
- Level 4Funding Ready
- Level 5Investment Ready
Level 1
Vision
Organizations clarify mission, leadership, structure, and long-term purpose.
Level 2
Foundation
Governance, policies, budgets, documentation, and organizational systems are established.
Level 3
Capacity
Programs, partnerships, financial systems, data collection, and operational capacity are strengthened.
Level 4
Funding Ready
Funding strategy, funder research, documentation, and grant preparation are completed.
Level 5
Investment Ready
Organizations demonstrate readiness for strategic funding, grant development, and long-term investment.
Not Sure Which Level Fits Your Organization?
Every organization is unique. The Fundability Assessment™ evaluates leadership, governance, finances, documentation, organizational capacity, and funding readiness to determine your current level and recommend your next strategic steps.
Begin with Orientation™Results determine your roadmap—not your eligibility.
Funders invest in organizations that demonstrate readiness—not simply organizations that submit applications.
Funding Follows Fundability.™
The Seven Programs
One Structured Framework. Seven Strategic Programs. Lasting Fundability.
Every participant advances through the same structured sequence. Advancement is earned through demonstrated readiness—not requested.
- 01Start
- 02Assess
- 03Measure
- 04Build
- 05Strategize
- 06Secure
- 07Sustain
Fundable Organization Orientation™
Learn what fundability means and what funders expect before anything else begins.
Program 1
Now Available
Fundability Assessment™
A structured review of governance, finance, programs, data, and documentation.
Program 2
Available after Orientation
Fundability Score™
Readiness is scored and placed on a level so gaps become visible and specific.
Program 3
Issued after Assessment Review
Fundability Pathway™
Guided capacity building and document readiness that closes the identified gaps.
Program 4 — Fundability Pathway™
Launching Soon
Funding Strategy Program™
Funder research, revenue strategy, and a working funding calendar.
Program 5 — Funding Strategy Program™
Launching Soon
Grant Development Partnership™
Applications are staffed, requirements tracked, and submissions prepared with you.
Program 6 — Grant Development Partnership™
Launching Soon
Sustainability Framework™
Compliance, reporting, stewardship, and long-term financial resilience.
Program 7 — Sustainability Framework™
Launching Soon
Organizations advance only after demonstrating readiness—not simply completing coursework.
Funding follows fundability. Every program strengthens the systems, leadership, and documentation that funders expect before they invest.
Explore the Seven ProgramsThe Simplified Journey
Build → Prepare → Fund
Build
Strengthen the organizational foundation across the Six Pillars of Fundability™.
Prepare
Assess, document, measure, correct gaps, and establish readiness.
Fund
Develop aligned funding strategy, pursue appropriate opportunities, steward resources, and sustain organizational health.
Completing Institute programs prepares an organization for funding. It does not guarantee funding, grant awards, or acceptance into later programs.
How advancement is determined
Creating an account does not advance an organization. Advancement is controlled and may depend on any combination of the following:
- Completion of the Fundable Organization Orientation™
- Completion of the Fundability Assessment™
- A minimum Fundability Score™ required for advancement to the next readiness step or milestone
- Completion of assigned capacity-building training
- Submission and approval of required documentation
- Staff review by an intake reviewer or consultant
- Executive review and approval
- Payment status where applicable
- Completion of all assigned tasks
Consultation access
Scheduling with DrFaye is not open to every participant. Scheduling remains locked until orientation is completed, the assessment is completed, required preliminary work is submitted, the organization reaches the required readiness level, executive review is completed, and consultation access is approved.
Fundability Levels
- Level 1 — Vision
Organizations clarify mission, leadership, structure, and long-term purpose.
- Level 2 — Foundation
Governance, policies, budgets, documentation, and organizational systems are established.
- Level 3 — Capacity
Programs, partnerships, financial systems, data collection, and operational capacity are strengthened.
- Level 4 — Funding Ready
Funding strategy, funder research, documentation, and grant preparation are completed.
- Level 5 — Investment Ready
Organizations demonstrate readiness for strategic funding, grant development, and long-term investment.
Ready to begin?
Orientation is the required first step for every organization on the pathway.
Register for the Fundable Organization Orientation™