Smart Systems Drive Multi-Organization Impact for Allyn Family Foundation

About Allyn Family Foundation

The Allyn Family Foundation is a Syracuse-based foundation focused on neighborhood development and community impact across upstate New York. Under the leadership of Director of Neighborhood Development Stephanie Pasquale, the foundation works to build capacity within partner organizations and support community development initiatives, from affordable housing construction to mixed-use commercial and residential spaces. Their work includes supporting Blueprint 15, an innovative East Adams neighborhood redevelopment initiative, and partnering with organizations like Good Life Youth Foundation to create lasting community change.

The Challenge

As a foundation supporting multiple community organizations, Stephanie faced a unique challenge – how to help small but ambitious nonprofits build the sophisticated financial HR infrastructure they needed without the resources for full-time staff. 

The organizations she supported needed systems that could handle multiple grants funding single programs, manage employee onboarding and benefits administration, maintain compliance with various funder and employment law requirements, and provide the kind of financial transparency that builds trust with stakeholders—all while allowing program staff to focus on their core mission work.

For example, Allyn Family Foundation supports Blueprint 15, which started with just one staff member but had complex, grant-funded work requiring professional-grade financial management and employee support systems.

The Solution

Hiline provided comprehensive back-office support that addressed both immediate operational needs and long-term capacity building:

1. Comprehensive Financial Infrastructure 

Built robust systems that could scale with organizational growth, including:

• Standardized financial reporting templates
• Efficient bookkeeping processes
• Clear financial documentation protocols

2. Complete HR and Benefits Management 

Provided full-service human resources support including employee onboarding through Gusto, benefits administration, and compliance with employment regulations. This was particularly critical when Blueprint 15 transitioned from a single staff member to managing multiple employees across different programs.

3. Technology-Enabled Field Operations 

Implemented mobile-friendly solutions like Divvy for expense management and Gusto for payroll, allowing staff who work primarily in the community to easily manage financial tasks. Field workers could code expenses directly to specific programs and grants without returning to an office.

4. Policy and Procedure Framework 

Developed comprehensive internal controls and policies that were right-sized for each organization. When Blueprint 15 spun off a new organization with 10 staff members, Hiline provided immediate guidance on approval processes, spending limits, and board governance structures.

5. Integrated Reporting Systems 

Created reporting that connected financial data with program outcomes, helping organizations demonstrate impact to funders while maintaining detailed records for compliance purposes.

The Results

The partnership with Hiline transformed how multiple organizations could operate efficiently while maintaining the highest standards of financial accountability and employee management. The impact was particularly notable for organizations like Good Life Youth Foundation, where staff consistently achieved better outcomes during the pandemic because they could maintain their innovative, non-traditional programming model.

The comprehensive support enabled organizations to:

• Focus staff time on direct program delivery and community engagement
• Maintain perfect compliance records with all funders and employment regulations
• Seamlessly onboard new employees with standardized HR processes
• Handle rapid organizational growth without administrative overwhelm
• Access real-time financial data for strategic decision-making
• Scale operations without proportional increases in administrative overhead
• Build credibility with funders through professional financial and operational management

How Hiline Can Support Your Foundation

Are you a foundation or funder looking to help your grantees build stronger operational capacity? Hiline's comprehensive back-office services can help the organizations you support focus on mission delivery while maintaining the highest standards of financial accountability. From startup nonprofits to established organizations, we provide scalable solutions that grow with your partners' needs.

Contact us today to learn how we can help you build a stronger ecosystem of fiscally awesome nonprofit partners in your community.

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