Organizational capacity building: addressing a research and practice gap

Area of Science:

• Nonprofit Management
• Program Evaluation
• Community Capacity Building

Background:

• A gap exists between evaluation research and practical capacity building for nonprofits.
• Grassroots organizations often face challenges in resource acquisition and operational efficiency.
• Longitudinal studies are crucial for understanding the long-term impact of capacity building initiatives.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate a 5-year capacity building initiative for grassroots organizations.
• To identify key factors contributing to the success of nonprofit capacity building.
• To provide insights into improving nonprofit services and sustainability.

Main Methods:

• A 5-year longitudinal evaluation of a capacity building initiative.
• Inclusion of formative evaluation processes to refine the service model.
• Assessment of implementation and outcomes through data collection from participating organizations.

Main Results:

• Most participating grassroots organizations met predefined participation success criteria.
• Organizational staff highly valued technology, consultant support, and program funding.
• Observed increases in board membership, organizational visibility, and executive director awareness of needs and management knowledge.

Conclusions:

• Capacity building initiatives can positively impact nonprofit participation, visibility, and knowledge.
• Technology, expert consultation, and funding are critical resources for small organizations.
• Further evaluation research is needed to understand mechanisms supporting nonprofit sustainability.