With a new year comes new resolutions – to begin planning a capital campaign, take another look at your strategic plan, or to clean up policies and procedures. Often these require the use of a consultant, which can be cost-prohibitive. Luckily the Greater Boston region is home to a number of schools and organizations that donate valuable consulting time to nonprofits.

While not all of these programs will be appropriate for every organization and every project, they are worthwhile to look into and explore more.

Third Sector New England: Grassroots Initiative
This competitive grant process will provide 3 nonprofits in Massachusetts and Rhode Island with pro bono consulting services to conduct an organizational assessment and 25 hours of consulting work to implement two to three priorities identified by the assessment. Visit their site for more information about the grant and how to apply.

SOAR 55
Soar matches volunteers over 55 with nonprofits who are looking for help. Some of these volunteers are ongoing, skilled volunteers. However, they also provide volunteer management consulting teams for nonprofits. To learn more about the program and download information on the application process, click here.

Harvard Business School Association of Boston: Community Action Partners
The CAP program connects nonprofits in the Greater Boston area with teams of HBS alumni to work on pro bono consulting projects. Visit their site for information on how to become a client.

Brandeis’ Heller MBA Team Consulting Projects
The TCPs non-profit, community-based, and other mission-driven organizations the opportunity to work with a team of Heller MBA students on a project that addresses an important management need. The project will be embedded in a course that provides a capstone to the MBA program, where teams of three to five students work on a project with a faculty advisor from June through August. The initial application deadline is tomorrow, February 5th. To learn more download the application information. If you have additional questions, please email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Here are two awards that are currently looking for nominations. Both are excellent opportunities for exposure and recognition of the wonderful work that you are doing.

2010 Massachusetts Nonprofit Excellence Awards
Massachusetts Nonprofit Network (MNN), a statewide association of nonprofit organizations, is currently seeking nominations so that it can recognize those organizations and individuals who are both achieving their mission and making a difference in their communities. The awards showcase excellence in a number of categories including: capacity building, collaboration, communications, management, leadership, and innovation. Winners will be recognized in a State House Ceremony held each year on Nonprofit Awareness Day.Nominate a nonprofit.

2010 Unsung Heroines of Massachusetts Award
The Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women is currently seeking applications for their yearly recognition of 100 extraordinary women from across the Commonwealth.

This organization identifies and honors the ‘Unsung Heroines’ who use their time and talents to make our neighborhoods, cities and towns better places to live by enriching the lives of others. They are the women you know who make things happen in your community, by doing what needs to be done.

Submit your nomination for Unsung Heroine by February 26th, 2010.