Capacity Building Resources

Capacity building is a term used in the charitable sector that describes activities designed to help improve a nonprofit’s ability to meet its mission and maximize the resources given to them by the community. Capacity building services are distinguishable from direct program services, general operating support or capital expenses in that they typically seek to increase the knowledge, skill level and/or efficiency of a nonprofit board and staff. Capacity building services are typically provided by an individual outside of the organization that has the expertise and ability to focus on only one aspect of an organization’s management. Usual capacity building services include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Board and/or staff training
• Strategic planning
• Analysis of programs, cost centers, technology and fundraising potential
• Program evaluation

As a result of the work of the Capacity Building Program, Waco Foundation hopes to encourage the following within the nonprofit sector:

• Excellent board governance
• Sound management (financial & other)
• Cross-sector collaboration
• Best practices/evidence informed practices
• Leadership development

Our Capacity Building Program awards mini-grants up to $2,500 to nonprofits seeking guidance or expertise in areas such as organizational assessments, board governance and strategic planning. There are a wide range of activities that can be supported with a capacity building grant. Grants may support up to 90% of total costs, which are usually paid to consultants or as fees for participation in training or events.

To learn more, check out the frequently asked questions link here.

Waco Foundation offers high-quality,  inexpensive, subsidized training on topics that benefit the nonprofit sector as a whole. Topics covered in recent training opportunities include: board governance, board member recruitment and orientation, fundraising and and financial literacy.

Waco Foundation offers a low cost/free assessment tool for eligible nonprofits through our Capacity Building Program. The self-assessment is a critical component of Waco Foundation’s Building Better Boards Initiative, which was designed to promote an understanding of good board governance and provide the resources necessary for continuing board development amongst nonprofit organizations.

The assessment provides information for nonprofit organizations to use in building their board and organization. The assessment is conducted by nonprofit groups with each member answering questions anonymously through an online survey. Once completed, a summary report is compiled that shows summary board responses and identifies potential areas for improvement.

• Read the overview of the Board Online Self-Assessment (BOSA).
• View the BOSA instrument/questions.

Waco Foundation maintains mclennannonprofits.org, a centralized website specifically for nonprofit use. The website identifies upcoming training events, nonprofit fundraisers, job openings and other nonprofit management related resources. It also provides updated event information for Nonprofit Network and Association of Fundraising Professionals.