Capacity Building
No matter how large or small or how mature, all nonprofits can increase their ability to fulfill their missions.  The steps needed by one organization may be very different from those another needs.

Determining which areas to address begins with an assessment of current capacity.  Such assessments typical look at:
  • Vision and Mission
  • Leadership
  • Programs and Services
  • Outreach
  • Structures
  • Resources
While all of these factors are important, a deficit in resources—financial and human—could mean the end of the nonprofit. Philanthropy is a critical revenue stream.

Deliverables:
  • Self-assessment
    • Guidance through the process
    • Review of the elements above
    • Determination of underlying issues that might affect philanthropic capacity
    • Presentation of results
  • Assessing financial capacity: Philanthropy
    • Review of current fundraising program
    • Review of policies and procedures
    • Review of supporting areas; e.g., communications, database
    • Report of findings
  • Development of plan
    • 18- to 24-month plan to begin building private support capacity (Shorter plans have become best practice.  Three and five-year plans quickly become irrelevant once implementation begins.)
    • Focus on most critical/impactful areas
  • Implementation (Optional)
    • Assistance in putting the plan into action