As capacity builders, we hope to help strengthen grassroots organizations so they can effectively—and independently—drive progress in their communities. To do that, argues LISC senior program officer Tatia Ash, we must not only guide but also listen deeply, show respect, and share power.
The unrestricted funding that LISC provides to our community partners is undeniably crucial for advancing their missions. But investing time and resources in organizational capacity building is equally important. Striking the right balance ensures that our partners have not only the financial resources but also the tools and support they need to achieve their goals.
Capacity building can mean many things. It may involve introducing new grant sources and helping organizations build relationships with potential funders. It can include coaching and nurturing emerging leaders, identifying cost-saving resources and tools to improve efficiency, and enhancing knowledge by connecting organizations with subject matter experts or providing training in essential nonprofit skills such as board governance and financial management. Capacity building requires actively participating in all aspects of the work and working hard alongside the organization. The overarching goal is to help build strength within organizations, so they’re ready and able to meet their communities’ needs today and well into the future.
Yet as one community partner aptly notes, "’capacity building’ is a loaded term." For many communities, especially BIPOC communities, capacity-building efforts highlight a power imbalance between intermediaries and the communities they aim to support. Too often, intermediaries act as "experts," offering solutions without fully understanding or respecting the unique skills, knowledge, and strengths these communities already possess. Sometimes, the resources meant to empower the community benefit the intermediaries more than the community. Intermediaries often can access larger amounts of administrative funds, which allows them to hire staff and pay them competitively and offer robust benefits while many CDCs and community organizations cannot
Typically, on-the-ground organizations spend more on programming, with lean operational support and no cash reserves. To put it simply, intermediaries are in a privileged position and don’t have to deal with the continual uncertainty that comes with the daily grind of working in a grassroots organization. We must understand and acknowledge these dynamics and consciously work to avoid the power imbalances they foster.
Effective capacity building is rooted in forming genuine, collaborative partnerships that go beyond mere financial investment. It involves a commitment to building authentic relationships. These relationships make partners feel comfortable sharing their organization's more profound, less visible challenges, such as disengaged communities or power struggles. Addressing these underlying issues, instead of focusing on surface-level concerns such as board development or staffing, is often crucial to significant progress in advancing an organization's mission. All too often, no one sees the burnout caused by constant fundraising stress in a competitive and unpredictable funding environment, nor the daily pressures of tackling ongoing social issues and trauma within communities.
LISC’s approach to capacity building calls on us to listen to and learn from our community partners, not just assist, guide, or instruct them. We recognize that community partners are the subject matter experts of their community and experience. We collaborate by incorporating their expertise in all our capacity-building efforts. We depend on them to guide us through the nuanced social, economic, and cultural landscapes unique to their communities, ensuring our initiatives are genuinely impactful and responsive to local needs.
By fostering mutual learning and respect, we can collaborate with on-the-ground partners to create sustainable solutions that reflect their goals and priorities. This collaborative approach builds trust, amplifies the strengths of local leaders, and ultimately establishes a foundation for long-term resilience and self-reliance. Through this true partnership, we can drive transformative change that uplifts communities and equips them to tackle challenges with confidence and unity.
We recognize that capacity challenges often stem from deeper equity issues. Historically, organizations with larger staffs and better access to funding streams have received the lion's share of resources. BIPOC communities have been offered capacity-building "technical assistance"—without the critical financial support they need. We are committed to changing this pattern.
The goal of capacity building: to address the sometimes hidden factors that can keep a nonprofit from flourishing, and nurture the visible factors that can help it rise.
While capacity building can be complex and challenging, when done right, it is a potent force for positive change. In the best-case scenario, a capacity builder will walk alongside an organization to a point where it no longer requires direct support. The relationship can continue, but the level of assistance will gradually decrease as the organization grows and expands. For example, instead of relying on a subgrant from an intermediary, the organization will be prepared to seek direct grants from the funding source itself.
Here are some key principles for impactful capacity building:
- Meet organizations where they are: Take the time to understand the people, communities, and organizations you work with.
- Ask rather than tell: Engage in active listening and co-create solutions with the community.
- Build trust through:
- Cultural humility: Acknowledge your knowledge gaps, continuously self-reflect, and embrace lifelong learning.
- Honesty: Be transparent in your intentions and actions.
- Authenticity: Commit to genuine interactions and long-term relationships.
- Ensure that capacity-building efforts are:
- Right-sized: Tailor initiatives to the specific needs and capacities of the organization.
- Accessible: Don’t use jargon. Use language that is simple and straightforward.
- Tangible and achievable: Set clear, realistic goals that can be accomplished.
Adhering to these principles can ensure that our efforts to build capacity truly empower communities and promote long-lasting and equitable growth.
About The Author
Tatia Ash, Senior Program Officer, Capacity Building
Tatia Ash, senior program for capacity building at LISC, has over three decades of expertise in community development, organizational capacity building and strategic partnership cultivation. Her extensive nonprofit background has honed her skills in program management, board and organizational development and financial management. Tatia's deep commitment to community change and enhancing organizational effectiveness has made her a trusted leader and collaborator in the nonprofit sector.