ONE LEVEL UP FOUNDATION — CHARLOTTE TRAINING ROADMAP

Digital Skills + Creative Workforce Development | Start-to-Finish HTML Matrix
Annual Budget: $100,000
4 Cohorts: 12 participants each
Annual Reach: 48 young adults
Target Age: 18–24
Trainer Model: 2 trainers @ $70/hr
Charlotte Partner: TAEP — pending discussion
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PROGRAM MODEL
8–12 Weeks
Quarterly cohort: 2 days/week, 3 hours/day, for 8 weeks (48 live instructional hours), with digital skills, AI/workplace tools, career readiness, creative workforce projects and referrals.
TRAINER RATIO
2 : 12
Two trainers create a 1:6 trainer-to-participant ratio for hands-on instruction and coaching.
ANNUAL PARTICIPANTS
48
12 participants per quarter × 4 quarters.
FUNDING PLAN
4 Banks
Diversify the $100K annual budget across multiple funders rather than rely on one source.

Start-to-Finish Implementation Matrix

DonePhaseActionDeliverable / DecisionOwnerTimingFunding LinkStatus Gate
1. PartnershipMeet with Natalie / TAEP.Confirm collaboration interest, age group, space, participant referrals and arts component.Robin + NatalieWeek 1Facility + local credibilityBefore naming TAEP
1. PartnershipDocument TAEP role.Simple MOU covering space, referrals, responsibilities, branding and data boundaries.OLU + TAEPWeeks 1–2Partner leverage / in-kind valuePartnership gate
2. DesignFinalize curriculum.Digital literacy, AI/workplace tools, Google/Microsoft productivity, résumé/LinkedIn, interviewing, digital storytelling/design, career navigation and referrals.OLUWeeks 2–4Curriculum/softwareBuild now
2. DesignSet measurable outcomes.Enrollment, completion, digital-skill gain, résumé, mock interview, referrals, job/education follow-up.OLUWeek 3Grant reportingApplication gate
3. BudgetFinalize trainer plan.Lead Trainer & Program Developer at $90/hr plus Workforce Trainer / Coach at $70/hr; document development, live instruction, prep, coaching, assessment and coordination hours.OLU BoardWeek 3Primary personnel costBoard approval
3. BudgetNegotiate training-space rate.Get hourly/cohort/annual quote from TAEP/VAPA. Track any discount as potential in-kind support.Robin + TAEPWeek 3Planning reserve: $10K–$15K/yearQuote needed
3. BudgetPrice technology.Reusable iPads/tablets, keyboards, cases, charging/storage and licenses.OLUWeek 4Equipment / launch costsQuotes needed
4. GovernanceApprove compensation process.Board approval/minutes for founder or trainer compensation; document reasonable rate and conflicts.OLU BoardBefore awardComplianceRequired
4. GovernanceCreate program policies.Enrollment, attendance, device use, confidentiality, referral consent, conduct, data collection and outcomes.OLUMonth 1Risk managementBefore launch
5. FundingBuild master Charlotte grant packet.Program narrative, $100K annual budget, IRS record, board list, outcomes, sustainability, partner letter and trainer bios.OLUMonth 1Reusable across fundersHigh priority
5. FundingTruist application / warm intro.Emphasize ages 18–24, career pathways, program launch, equipment, curriculum and employment readiness.OLUGrant cyclePlanning ask: $25K–$35KVerify criteria first
5. FundingTD eligibility + application.Confirm Regional Grant fit and new-nonprofit financial-document requirements before requesting referral.OLUCurrent cyclePlanning ask: $20K–$30KEligibility review
5. FundingPNC route.Determine local Charlotte grant, trust or sponsorship route and invitation requirements.OLUMonth 1–2Planning ask: $15K–$25KResearch
5. FundingAlly route.Confirm open application vs relationship-based giving and strongest technology/youth angle.OLUMonth 1–2Planning ask: $10K–$20KResearch
6. RecruitmentBuild participant pipeline.TAEP plus foster-youth, housing-insecure, workforce and community referral partners.OLU + Partners4–6 weeks pre-cohortOutreach/referral costAfter partnership
6. RecruitmentSelect 12 participants.Baseline assessment, goals, tech needs, availability and referral screening.OLU2 weeks pre-cohort12 students / quarterLaunch gate
7. DeliveryRun quarterly cohort.Two-trainer instruction, creative project, technology, career-readiness deliverables and coaching.2 OLU Trainers8–12 weeksTrainer + space + softwareQuarterly
7. DeliveryProvide referrals/navigation.Connect participants to housing, food, transportation, health, education and specialized supports.OLUThroughoutProgram supportOngoing
8. MeasurePost-cohort assessment.Digital-skill growth, completion, résumé/portfolio, interview readiness and next-step placements.OLUFinal weekFunder reportingRequired
8. Measure30/60/90-day follow-up.Track jobs, education, credentials, continued services and participant feedback.OLUAfter cohortRenewal evidenceRecurring
9. ScaleQuarterly improvement review.Adjust curriculum, staffing, referrals, arts content, equipment and budget based on outcomes.OLU + PartnerQuarterlySustainabilityQ1–Q4
9. ScalePrepare Year 2 plan.Use Year 1 results to seek multi-year support, add employers and scale participant capacity.OLUMonths 9–12Renewal fundingYear-end

Detailed $100,000 Annual Program Budget

Budget CategoryDetail / AssumptionAnnual CostQuarterly Equivalent
Lead Trainer & Program Developer100 hrs per quarter × 4 quarters × $90/hr$36,000$9,000
Workforce Trainer / Coach75 hrs per quarter × 4 quarters × $70/hr$21,000$5,250
Program AdministrationScheduling, participant records, vendor coordination, grant documentation, attendance, purchasing and reporting support$7,000$1,750
iPads / Tablets12 reusable training devices @ approx. $650 each$7,800Reusable
Cases + Keyboards12 protective cases / keyboard kits @ approx. $150 each$1,800Reusable
Charging / Storage / AccessoriesCharging station, adapters, styluses, replacement cords, device labels and secure storage$1,400Reusable
Technology ReserveReplacement / repair allowance for damaged or lost equipment$1,000As needed
Training SpacePlanning reserve for TAEP/VAPA or comparable Charlotte training space$10,000$2,500
Software + LicensesAI tools, Microsoft/Google productivity, Canva/design, résumé/career tools, survey/assessment and collaboration software$4,000$1,000
Creative / Arts Workforce MaterialsDigital storytelling, design, video/content creation, portfolio and showcase materials$2,000$500
Participant Support MaterialsWorkbooks, printing, career folders, notebooks, badges, interview materials and limited transportation/meal support$2,000$500
Outreach + MeasurementRecruitment, intake, pre/post assessments, 30/60/90-day follow-up, data tracking and impact reporting$4,000$1,000
TOTAL4 cohorts × 12 participants = 48 participants annually$100,000$25,000 avg./quarter
Technology model: The 12 iPads/tablets are reusable OLU program equipment and rotate through all four cohorts. That means one equipment investment can support all 48 Year-1 participants and future cohorts.

Trainer model: The Lead Trainer & Program Developer is budgeted at 100 hours per quarter at $90/hr because the role includes curriculum/program design, instructional leadership, trainer coordination, delivery, coaching, assessment and continuous program improvement. The Workforce Trainer / Coach is budgeted at 75 hours per quarter at $70/hr for instruction, coaching, participant support and referral coordination.

Admin model: The $7,000 administration line is separate from trainer/program-development compensation and covers back-office program management rather than instructional delivery.

Licenses: The $4,000 software line is a planning reserve. Final applications should use actual vendor quotes and nonprofit discounts where available.

Technology Cost Breakdown

ItemQtyPlanning Unit CostTotalUse
iPad / tablet12$650$7,800Digital literacy, AI/workplace tools, design, résumé and career training
Protective keyboard case12$150$1,800Typing, productivity and device protection
Charging/storage station + accessories1 set—$1,400Secure charging, adapters, styluses, cords and labeling
Repair/replacement reserveAnnual—$1,000Minor repairs / replacement allowance
Total Technology Equipment$12,000

Consultant / Trainer Cost Breakdown

Quarterly Cohort Schedule: 12 participants per cohort, meeting 2 days per week, 3 hours per day, for 8 weeks. That equals 48 live instructional hours per cohort:

2 days/week × 3 hours/day × 8 weeks = 48 instructional hours
Lead Trainer & Program Developer — Quarterly HoursHours
Live instruction48
Curriculum / program development and prep20
Individual coaching / résumé / interview support12
Assessments and outcome tracking8
Partner / referral coordination6
Office hours / follow-up6
Total per quarter100

Workforce Trainer / Coach — Quarterly HoursHours
Live training support48
Participant coaching12
Career-readiness support8
Referrals / follow-up7
Total per quarter75
RoleHours / QuarterRateQuarterly CostAnnual Cost
Lead Trainer & Program Developer100$90/hr$9,000$36,000
Workforce Trainer / Coach75$70/hr$5,250$21,000
Total Training + Program Development175$14,250$57,000

Administration + License Breakdown

CategoryAnnual Planning CostWhat It Covers
Program Administration$8,000Scheduling, intake files, attendance, vendor purchasing, grant records, participant communications, reporting support and logistics
AI / Productivity / Design Licenses$2,500AI tools, Microsoft/Google productivity, Canva/design, career/resume tools and collaboration platforms
Assessment / Survey / Data Tools$1,000Participant assessments, surveys, outcome tracking and evaluation tools
Misc. Digital Services$500Cloud storage, e-signature, scheduling or other program-delivery software
Total Licenses / Software$4,000

Four-Bank Funding Stack

TRUIST
$25K–$35K
Career pathways, launch, curriculum, equipment. Final ask after criteria review.
TD
$20K–$30K
Economic mobility/community opportunity. Confirm startup financial-document rules.
PNC
$15K–$25K
Economic development/human services. Confirm Charlotte route and invitation process.
ALLY
$10K–$20K
Technology/youth/economic mobility. Confirm grant vs relationship-based giving.

Quarterly Cohort Flow

QuarterParticipantsCore FocusMeasurementFunding Milestone
Q1 — Launch12Digital foundations + creative workforce + career readinessPre/post assessment + résumé/portfolioProof of concept
Q2 — Refine12Improve curriculum from Q1 feedbackQ1 30/60/90-day follow-up + Q2 outcomesUse early data for new funders
Q3 — Expand12Add employer/mentor/creative-industry exposurePlacement/referral trend trackingStart Year 2 renewal conversations
Q4 — Prove12Full model + portfolio/showcase48-participant annual impact reportRenew, scale, pursue multi-year
One Level Up Foundation • Charlotte Digital & Workforce Launchpad • Planning Matrix