Orange County Capacity Building Program | What is Capacity Building

Capacity Building as defined by the Strengthening Communities Fund

Capacity building is the process of implementing activities critical to the long-term viability of your organization. The goal of capacity building is to increase organizational infrastructure and bolster sustainability. By building or increasing your organization's capacity, the effectiveness of programmatic activities and organizational operations will also increase.

The bottom line is MORE - if your organization is equipped to function smoothly at the operational level, your profile in the community will increase, you'll retain great staff, develop and implement better programs, engage more stakeholders, and be more likely to acquire funding in the future from diverse sources. The end result is your organization's ability to offer more effective services to those who need them most.

Think of a sustainability feedback loop. Using funds to directly serve clients will help for a time, but once those funds run out, your organization will not be any better equipped to carry out programs in the future. As a capacity building program, SCF strives to empower organizations to become more effective, sustainable social service providers. Engaging in activities that improve your organization's ability to function smoothly will benefit your community; those you serve will be able to depend on your services, well after the grant program ends.

CAPACITY BUILDING vs. DIRECT SERVICES
Capacity Building	Direct Services
Researching and developing new programs or services Developing or designing a program or program curriculum Purchasing program-related equipment and durable supplies Implementing systems to keep records on client needs, referrals, service recipient satisfaction, or service recipient outcomes Evaluating current needs	Implementing a program, program activities, or program curriculum that provides services to clients Purchasing food for service programs Paying management costs for existing programs Holding seminars or events for clients Paying staff to work directly with clients

CAPACITY BUILDING vs. DIRECT FUNDRAISING
Capacity Building	Direct Fundraising
Sending appropriate staff to grant-writing seminars Hiring a consultant to develop a fundraising strategy for your organization Hiring a full-time development director to focus on long- and short-term fundraising efforts Buying donor development software that organizes donor information, but does not enable direct online donations	Printing and mailing direct mail flyers or brochures that include the option for donors to make donations Hiring a fundraising consultant to plan specific events or make funding requests Contacting organizations or individuals for funds (this includes paying for a lunch meeting) Buying donor development software that enables a direct online donation link (such software is not itself problematic; it is the online donation link feature that may not be funded with SCF funds)

Click here for a list of allowable activities.

More information:

Click here to view Frequently Asked Questions
Click here to view calendar of upcoming workshops
For additional inquiries, please contact the OCCBP staff

Programs & Services

Professional Training >> Training Schedule

Organizational Assessment >> COAT >> Success Stories >> Findings

Nonprofit Coaching & Consulting

Business Plan Support >> Business Plan Boot Camp >> Editorial Support and Consultation >> Professional Review Panel

Orange County Capacity Building Program

AmeriCorps / Vista Resources >> First 5 Program Overview >> Life as a Member >> Current Opportunities >> Agency Application

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