Our work
How the Incubator Programme works
ASPIRE runs no grant programme. What we place into an organisation is professional time — and the systems that time leaves behind.
It runs as a six-month certification programme, one cohort at a time. Entry is by screening and selection against ASPIRE’s published minimum criteria. Once inside, an organisation is certified across six standards, each led by a pillar lead, with one-on-one business support from senior professionals — delivered pro bono.
The ASPIRE Model
One programme, three components
The Incubator Programme is the only programme ASPIRE runs at present. Its three components work together, not in sequence.
01
The Pillars
Six ASPIRE Standards, each led by a senior volunteer — eight pillar leads in total. Assessed independently, not self-reported.
6 standards
8 pillar leads
02
The Participating Organisations
Twenty Barbadian charities and non-profits move through a six-month certification programme. Cohort 4 currently takes eight organisations at once, each paired with the pillars and volunteers their organisation needs most.
20 organisations
6-month programme
Cohort 4: 8 at once
03
The Volunteer Professionals
Barbadian professionals — accountants, lawyers, HR directors, fundraisers, marketers — who have worked pro bono, delivering roughly ten dollars of donated expertise for every dollar granted. This is where most of the value in the model is created.
80+ experts to date
~10:1 expertise to grant
ASPIRE Standards
What certification actually tests
Six pillars, assessed independently. When a funder sees this mark they know these six things have been checked by someone other than the organisation claiming them.
01
Governance & Legal Compliance
02
Financial Management
03
Business, Strategic & Impact Planning
04
Human Resources
05
Resource Mobilisation & Proposal Writing
06
Branding & Communications
What people say
The volunteer experience is rewarding beyond words, you can do something meaningful, meet people, learn something about yourself and even be made to stretch and go outside your comfort zone. I believe we all need to do our small part and not just say that it is worthy, will leave an impact and all the nice words — we need to actually contribute.
Janelle Lord, CPA, CGA — Accountant at Lex Caribbean
JL
Janelle Lord, CPA, CGA
Accountant at Lex Caribbean
ASPIRE Volunteer 2016–2018
One of the most inspired, real activities for non-profits in Barbados for many years. You didn’t throw money at the problem; you helped us find where the problem is and fixed it.
Kerry Ann Ifill — President, Barbados Council for the Disabled
KI
Kerry Ann Ifill
President, Barbados Council for the Disabled
ASPIRE Graduate 2020
A big thanks to ASPIRE. They have really moved us from a place of passion to a place of efficiency. I started this thing out of passion not understanding the overwhelming amount of work that has to go behind the scenes to sustain a legitimate charity.
Nigel Jules — Founder, Purpose 180
NJ
Nigel Jules
Founder, Purpose 180
ASPIRE Graduate 2020
Thirty organisations to go.
Anything the report doesn’t answer — admin@aspirebarbados.org, +1 246 429 1368.