Fractional COO for Small Businesses and Nonprofits
Ilumina Partners is a fractional COO firm for small businesses and nonprofits in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, NC, and across the US. We embed a senior operator in your leadership team 10 to 20 hours a week to own execution.
For organizations that have grown past what one leader can hold.
15+ years of operations leadership · $7.2M in government contracts and grants managed · Your first conversation is with Drew Sease, Co-Founder & Managing Partner
What is a fractional COO?
A fractional COO is an experienced chief operating officer who works inside your organization for a set number of hours each week instead of as a full-time hire. Ilumina Partners provides a fractional COO for small businesses and nonprofits, embedded 10 to 20 hours a week with a minimum 12-month commitment. We build accountability, operating rhythm, and repeatable systems, then develop leaders so the organization is ready for a full-time COO.
Is a fractional COO the right hire?
It depends on who needs to own execution, and for how long.
| Option | Who owns execution | Commitment | Best fit when |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fractional COOOption | Who owns executionA senior operator inside your leadership team | CommitmentPart time; at Ilumina Partners, 10 to 20 hours a week for at least 12 months | Best fit whenYou need senior ownership of operations now, and a full-time COO is a step you plan for later |
| Full-time COOOption | Who owns executionA senior operator inside your leadership team | CommitmentA full-time executive hire | Best fit whenThe operation needs a senior leader every day and the role is ready to be permanent |
| ConsultantOption | Who owns executionYour leadership team, after the recommendations | CommitmentA defined project | Best fit whenYou need an outside assessment or a specific fix, and someone inside can carry it out |
| Chief of staffOption | Who owns executionThe leader, with support | CommitmentUsually a full-time hire | Best fit whenThe leader needs help with their own priorities more than someone to run operations |
| Internal promotionOption | Who owns executionA current team member | CommitmentTheir time, plus development | Best fit whenSomeone is ready to grow into the role with support |
Not sure which fits? That's what the first conversation is for.
What changes in the first year?
The Fractional COO Partnership is 10 to 20 embedded hours a week, with a minimum 12-month commitment.
- First 90 days, See clearly: the real constraints are named and leaders agree on priorities.
- By mid-year, Build the system: accountability, operating rhythm, and clear roles are in place.
- Toward month 12, Grow capability: leaders own execution, and there's a plan for a full-time COO.
What does a fractional COO take off your plate?
A fractional COO owns the operation so the founder or executive director can lead. Most engagements cover four areas:
People and structure
Clear roles and reporting lines, onboarding that doesn't run through one person, manager development, and a fair compensation structure. For open roles, we define the role and run the process with a trusted recruiting partner.
Operating rhythm
Weekly leadership meetings that end in decisions, quarterly priorities, and a scorecard of the numbers that matter.
Systems and workflows
Documented processes, repaired handoffs, and tools (project management, CRM, automation, AI) set up so the team actually uses them. When it's in scope, that includes managing vendor and software contracts.
Budget, reporting, and compliance
Building and tracking the operating budget, plus reporting for your leadership or board, funders, auditors, and government contracts, so deadlines stop being emergencies.
In a small business
Most decisions still route through the founder. We move them into roles, rhythm, and systems the team owns, so client work runs consistently and new hires don't add chaos. The founder steps out of daily operations and back into growth.
In a nonprofit
The executive director is often running programs, fundraising, and operations at once. We take the operations: program delivery, grant and contract compliance, and the reporting your leadership or board and funders expect. Luisa Sease has managed $7.2M in government contracts and grants, and capacity-building grants can sometimes fund the engagement.
Running EOS® (the Entrepreneurial Operating System)? We can also take the Integrator seat, the role that owns execution. See our EOS Integrator work
For teams adopting AI, our AI policy kits and services set the guardrails.
What leaders say about working with Luisa
She brings clarity, structure, and sound judgment to complicated work, consistently turning complex challenges into practical plans and moving important initiatives forward.
She sets clear goals, focuses on growth, and creates a thriving environment for her team. … She made leading operations appear effortless.
Where does Ilumina Partners work?
Ilumina Partners is based in Raleigh. We work with clients in person across Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, NC, and remotely across the US.
Who will we work with?
Luisa Sease, Co-Founder & Fractional COO, is the embedded operator, with 15+ years of operations leadership, including 7+ years as operational lead of one organization that scaled from $1.3M to $3.7M.
Drew Sease, Co-Founder & Managing Partner, leads client relationships and strategic diagnosis, and is your first conversation. Meet the partners
What happens on the first call?
You talk with Drew about what's breaking, what's been tried, and where the team is stuck. If there's a fit, you'll meet with Luisa to talk through scope and pricing, and we'll send a proposal built around what you need.
We work with a small number of organizations at a time, so each gets full attention.
Frequently asked questions
Do we need a fractional COO or a full-time COO?
A fractional COO fits when you need senior ownership of operations now but the organization isn't ready to commit to a full-time executive. A full-time COO fits when the operation needs a senior leader every day and the role is ready to be permanent. Part of the fractional COO's job is preparing for that hire.
How is pricing set?
Pricing depends on hours per week and scope, and nonprofit rates differ from rates for businesses. After your first conversation with Drew, you'll meet with Luisa to talk through scope and pricing, and we'll send a proposal built around what you need.
Can a fractional COO work with our leadership or board?
Yes. In nonprofits, we work with the executive director and the leadership or board, including the reporting they need from operations.
Can a capacity-building grant pay for a fractional COO?
Sometimes. It depends on the funder and the grant's terms. We can talk through the reporting a funder may expect.
Is Ilumina Partners local to Raleigh?
Yes. Ilumina Partners is based in Raleigh, works in person across Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, NC, and works remotely with clients across the US.
What happens after 12 months?
The final stage develops leaders and plans for a full-time COO. After month 12, the partnership can continue month to month or extend through the handoff to your full-time COO.