Owner’s Project Management
For nonprofit and mission-driven organizations, a new building or renovation project can be a critical investment. For your organization's leadership, it can also strain time and resources. That's where HELM's Owners Project Management (OPM) comes in. Our experienced team will oversee every detail of your project – freeing you to focus on the important decisions, raise the funds you need, and have confidence the results will fulfill your vision and provide long-term value to your organization and community.

Chip Darmstadt
Emeritus Executive Director, NBNC
An incredibly worthwhile investment. We couldn't have accomplished what we did without HELM.

How HELM OPM works
Construction is complicated! We'll expertly help you select your project team, keep the project schedule and budget on track, manage communications so the whole team performs better, and proactively address issues that could cause delays or lead to cost overruns.
We'll provide context and expert recommendations for key decisions. With regular reports, we'll make it easy for you to share updates with your leadership and board. And with a wealth of knowledge around design, construction, and energy efficiency, we'll offer perspective that can yield better solutions and keep costs lower.

HELM OPM and your bottom line
OPM will be a new line item in your budget, which — given the pressure to control costs — can be difficult to consider. But over the life of a project, OPM can yield considerable savings so is best seen as an investment that will:
- Protect your leadership team's time (and sanity!) so they can focus on running your organization, project fundraising, and making really critical project decisions.
- Reduce construction costs wherever possible, decrease project management fees from your contractor, and dramatically reduce delays, change orders, and cost overruns.
- Ensure a durable, sustainable building with low ongoing maintenance and operating costs.
- Provide continuity in project management, no matter what happens within your organization's leadership or board.
- Support fundraising with a building plan and design completed up front.
From our project portfolio

North Branch
Nature Center
This award-winning renovation/expansion project included the conversion of a barn into a preschool, a new 1700 square foot addition, and the deep energy retrofit of a historic farmhouse. With the addition of a 15 kW solar array, the whole campus is now Net Zero. Scope included Act 250 permitting, grant writing, contractor selection, and budget management.
Architect: Black River Design Architects
Contractor: Kingdom Construction

Broad Brook
Community Center
The award-winning BBCC is an inclusive, safe community space in Guilford, VT — for the arts, education, active living, and agricultural innovation. Extensive renovation modernized this historic grange hall with energy and accessibility upgrades. HELM worked directly with the General Contractor, providing project management services through multiple project phases.
Architect: Stevens and Associates
Contractor: Mathes Hulme Builders

Center for an
Agricultural Economy
The CAE in Hardwick, VT is developing the 15-acre Atkins Field historic site as a community events center. HELM was hired to coordinate permitting, develop designs, and coordinate contractor selection. With both USDA and State of Vermont funding, extensive documentation and grant work was required. The first completed phase of the project is a timber-framed community pavilion.
Architect: The Design Group
Contractor: Green Timber Works

Solara
Apartments
Solara includes 252 units of market-rate, net-zero rental housing in Rotterdam, NY. HELM provided project management services with a specific focus on coordinating the energy consulting aspects, and managed the overall pre-construction schedule, compliance during the design phase, award submissions, deliverables, team calls and extensive virtual communications.
Developer: Bruns Realty Group LLC
Architect: Black Mountain Architecture
Contractor: Ballston Mourningkill

Vermont Natural
Resources Council
This net zero retrofit in Montpelier, VT transformed an 1880s historic home into the new Center for Climate, Communities and the Environment for the Vermont Natural Resources Council. Project goals included zero net energy, low embodied carbon, respect of historic resources, and fossil fuel free. HELM coordinated between the staff and the design and construction team.
Architect: Vermont Integrated Architecture
Contractor: Neagley & Chase Construction

Just Roots
Just Roots, a non-profit in Greenfield, MA, is engaged in promoting the local agricultural economy through its CSA, education programs, and community farm. HELM worked with Just Roots on a Feasibility Study and Conceptual Design for the expansion of their historic barn complex to create a farm store, offices, and classroom space.
Architect: C&H Architects