Third Sector New England, Inc. (TSNE) 89 South St., Boston, MA 02111 617-523-6565
tsne.org/our-services/shared-services
Shared Services
Human Resources Tiered Model (2025)
Purpose
To provide accessible, equity-centered, and values-based Human Resources (HR) support for small to mid-sized nonprofits in New England, using a transparent pricing model tied to the organization’s operating budget, staffing structure, and legal compliance thresholds.
How We Build Pricing
Three Main Factors
Factor
Operating Budget
Why it Matters
Ensures affordability and aligns with capacity
Staffing Structure Reflects actual HR workload and complexity
Legal Threshold Captures risk points (FMLA, ACA, COBRA, EEO-1)
Complexity of Support with Legal Thresholds
1-10 Exemptions from most employment laws (e.g., FMLA, ADA)
11-49 Must comply with OSHA, some states’ paid leave, EEO-1 (100+)
50+
FMLA, ACA, EEOC reporting, COBRA, WARN Act
Low complexity, templates, & basic guidance
Moderate support needed
High complexity, needs strategic support
HR Essentials
Ideal for: Nonprofits with limited or no internal HR support, seeking ongoing help with compliance, documentation, and employee support tools.
HR Essentials Included Services
• Consulting Office Hours: Managers and designated staff can connect with our HR consultant for brief, solution-focused conversations on everyday HR matters like performance conversations, documentation, leaves, or team dynamics. Note: Office hours are included within the total monthly support hours.
• Job Description Development: TSNE provides templates, reviews, and advice; client drafts and finalizes.
• Job Posting: TSNE posts to our job board, iCIMS (if authorized); paid sites are charged back.
• Offer Letters: TSNE drafts on client letterhead; client makes verbal offer, signs, and stores.
• Status Changes: TSNE shares forms and draft letters; client reviews/signs and submits.
• Separation Letters: TSNE drafts and processes (if authorized); client signs and stores.
• Policy Development: TSNE provides templates and legal review notice; client finalizes and implements.
• New Hire Paperwork: TSNE provides templates and guidance; client collects paperwork and manages filing.
• I-9s: TSNE provides guidance; client collects and processes.
• Policy Development: TSNE provides templates and legal review notice; client finalizes and implements.
• Background Checks: TSNE conducts checks and sends adverse action letters (if authorized); client makes hire decision and stores results.
• Leaves of Absence: TSNE provides templates and employer guidance; client manages leave communication and records.
• Compliance Audits: TSNE provides guidance; client holds full responsibility for compliance.
• Recruitment Strategy Guidance: TSNE advises on legal/strategic questions; client leads the recruitment.
• Onboarding & Offboarding: TSNE provides templates, checklists, and benefit orientation (optional).
• Verifications of Employment (VOE): TSNE provides guidance; client is responsible for VOE.
• Retention Strategies: TSNE provides guidance; client manages execution.
• Employee Relations Support: TSNE offers coaching, templates, and document review to managers. (No direct employee contact)
• Investigations Support: TSNE provides templates, coaching, and advice; client conducts investigation and action.
• Benefits Support: TSNE provides advice and guidance; client manages enrollments and carrier relationships.
• Performance Management: TSNE provides forms and process guidance; client owns implementation.
• Compliance Training
• TSNE provides advice on training; client is responsible for training roll-out.
• Laws & Regulations Updates: TSNE shares updates and guidance; client tracks and enforces compliance.
• Personnel Files Setup: TSNE advises on setup; client maintains records.
$1.25M–
Example: An organization with a $1.8M budget and 55 staff would pay $1,800/month, which includes 12 hours HR support. Any additional time would be billed at $175/hour.
Bonus: New HR Essentials clients receive up to 4 hours of complimentary onboarding orientation and setup support. This includes an initial discovery call, information gathering, system access setup (if applicable), and review of current organizational structures. Work beyond 4 hours or outside the orientation scope will be billed at the applicable hourly rate.
*The rates are assessed the first of every month based on employee count. Org budget is assessed on a contractual basis.
Commitment-Based Discounts (HR Essentials Only)
Clients who commit to longer partnerships receive reduced rates
Bonus: 3-year contracts include 1 free virtual training or coaching session per year.
HR Plus: Project-Based Consulting
Ideal for: Organizations needing strategic HR design, DEIB-aligned audits, compensation studies, performance systems, etc.
HR+ Includes:
Compensation Study: Evaluate internal and external equity by analyzing salary data, benchmarking against nonprofit compensation datasets, and developing recommended salary ranges and salary administration. Includes job classification review and alignment with market rates.
• Data collection and position mapping
• External market benchmarking
• Internal equity analysis
• Salary range development
• Presentation to leadership/board (add-on)
Performance System Setup: Develop and implement performance management processes tailored to your size and culture. Focuses on clear goals, feedback tools, and accountability systems.
• Custom forms and templates
• Performance cycle planning
• Feedback and evaluation models
• Training for managers (add-on)
Conflict Resolution Coaching & Training: Provide tools and training for addressing internal conflict. May include individual coaching, conflict resolution frameworks, manager training, and guidance for supervisors navigating sensitive team dynamics.
• Coaching for key leaders
• DEIB-informed frameworks
• Templates and issue-tracking guidance
• Group workshops (add-on)
Pay Equity Study: Assess disparities in pay by gender, race, and other demographics. This is a deeper data-driven analysis that evaluates compensation fairness and informs future decisionmaking.
• Pay data analysis by role/demographic
• Equity gaps identification
• Recommendations for adjustments
• Staff/board briefing (add-on)
HR Audit: Review policies, practices, and systems to assess alignment with equity, inclusion, and legal compliance. Focuses on both structural and cultural dimensions of HR.
• Policy review through DEIB lens
• Interview or survey facilitation
• Risk identification and recommendations
• Priority roadmap for implementation
Supervisor Training Series: Custom training sessions for frontline or mid-level supervisors. Supports skill-building in feedback, coaching, documentation, compliance, and culture.
• Virtual or in-person workshops
• Custom modules (performance, documentation, etc.)
• Practice scenarios and tools
• Optional 1:1 coaching or follow-up (add-on)
Employee Handbook Refresh: Update an existing handbook to reflect current laws, organizational practices, and tone. Recommended every 1–2 years.
• Policy alignment check (state/federal)
• Language updates for clarity/equity
• Formatting and delivery templates
• Leadership/staff briefing (add-on)
Custom Handbook Build (New): Create a handbook from scratch that reflects your mission, values, and compliance needs. Designed for new or growing organizations.
• Stakeholder discovery session
• Full policy drafting
• Equity-centered language
• Review, formatting, and final delivery
• Leadership/staff briefing (add-on)
HR Plus Pricing
The rates for HR Plus are aligned with the rates associated with TSNE’s other consulting services. Interested organizations can email us at sharedservices@tsne.org or visit tsne.org/our-services/ shared-services to learn more.
Get in Touch
No matter the challenges or difficulties you might be experiencing as a nonprofit organization, we bring a service-oriented lens to help you navigate challenges. We want to work with you to learn new administrative, financial, and operational strategies that will help your organization grow its impact.
Interested? Email sharedservices@tsne.org or visit tsne.org/our-services/shared-services
About Shared Services
Nonprofit organizations do critical work in shifting the lives of people and communities. Yet, this work, although rewarding, can be complex and challenging. From staff capacity concerns to operational gaps, we meet these challenges by investing in the administrative, financial, and organizational resources nonprofit organizations need to thrive. Through Shared Services, we provide the resources that nonprofits need to mitigate these challenges.
Our Services
TSNE’s Shared Services provides essential administrative and operational support to small and midsized nonprofits (that have their own 501(c)(3) status).
Our work is dedicated to uplifting small and mid-sized nonprofits working towards a just and equitable world. We are also focusing on serving Black, Indigenous, and/or Person/People of Color (BIPOC)-led and serving organizations and nonprofit organizations in New England.
Our Approach
As a nonprofit organization working across the sector for more than 65 years, we understand these challenges well. TSNE’s Shared Services program provides the foundational support small to mid-sized nonprofits, particularly BIPOC-led and/or serving organizations, need to navigate challenges and ultimately meet their missions. Each Shared Services organization works with a dedicated manager and accountant who will not only work to provide accurate and timely financial information but also support organizations in building financial literacy if that is something the organization needs.