Where can I find information on nonprofit capacity building?
Capacity building can help make an organization more focused, efficient, and productive, according to Paul C. Light, author of Sustaining Nonprofit Performance: The Case for Capacity Building and the Evidence to Support It. Those qualities build confidence that an organization knows what it's doing. And that confidence makes it easier to attract the money, leadership and visibility that nonprofits need to thrive.
More and more foundations are giving grants to help nonprofit organizations carry out their missions more effectively. Capacity building can take many forms, such as:
- Professional development for staff and board members
- Opportunities for peer learning, networking or leadership development
- Creating or re-examining organizational plans
- Initiating collaboration with other nonprofits
- Developing new sources for earned income
Use Foundation Directory, our searchable database of grantmakers, to find funders who support capacity building in your field. Subscribe to use it from your own location, or search it for free at our locations nationwide.
Some capacity building doesn't cost nonprofits any money. Beyond Cash Guide for Nonprofit Boards is a guide on how nonprofit boards can tap pro bono and in-kind resources, co-written by Taproot Foundation and BoardSource. Powered by Pro Bono: The Nonprofits Step-by-Step Guide to Scoping, Securing, Managing, and Scaling Pro Bono Resources is Taproot Foundation's how-to guide for bringing capacity building resources into your nonprofit.
Nonprofits are increasingly looking to find, train and keep top talent by focusing on diversity, equity and inclusion. To learn more about how diversity, equity and inclusion can build capacity in your organization, watch our free video, "Catalyst for Change: Non Governing Boards as Pipelines for Diverse, Equitable and Inclusive Leadership."
If you, your team or your organization is feeling burned out, you can learn about staying strong and resilient in the Candid video, Skills for Overcoming Burnout--Refueling the Fire.
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Staff-recommended websites
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Philanthropy News Digest
Fire, Aim, Ready: Why Most Foundation-Funded Capacity Building Efforts Miss the Mark
Written by Mary Genis, a certified coach specializing in leadership development and executive transition. Published Feb. 2008.
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Staff pick
Fieldstone Alliance
Capacity Building Defined and Demystified
The Fieldstone Alliance provides an article defining capacity building and identifying those activities, such as leadership and fund development, that serve to strengthen nonprofits. The article also identifies types of providers of capacity support. NOTE: This is an archived version of the original page.
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Staff pick
Free Management Library
Capacity Building
The Free Management Library introduces the concept of capacity building in nonprofits, including readings and perspectives on capacity building from numerous articles, as well as a review of various common functions in nonprofits.
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Human Interaction Research Institute
Exploring Foundation Financial Investments in Nonprofit Capacity Building
The researchers provide statistics related to the nature and characteristics of foundation financial investments based on recent surveys. In addition to these facts, they offer recommendations for future actions. Published in July 2006.
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Candid Learning for Funders
Supporting Grantee Capacity: Strengthening Effectiveness Together
This guide explores the relationship between grantees and funders, and their efforts to build capacity together.
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Free Management Library
Types of Nonprofit Capacity Building
This PDF article describes different types of nonprofit capacity building activities.
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National Council of Nonprofits
What is Capacity Building?
The National Council of Nonprofits provides a detailed description regarding what capacity building is and various resources to learn more about it.
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The Urban Institute
Building Capacity in Nonprofit Organizations
This report aims to advance the ongoing conversation about capacity building, intending to push toward the intersection where research informs practice.