Capacity building can help make an organization more focused, efficient, and productive, according to Paul C. Light, author of Sustaining Nonprofit Performance: The Case for Capacity Building and the Evidence to Support It. Those qualities build confidence that an organization knows what it's doing. And that confidence makes it easier to attract the money, leadership and visibility that nonprofits need to thrive.

More and more foundations are giving grants to help nonprofit organizations carry out their missions more effectively. Capacity building can take many forms, such as:

  • Professional development for staff and board members
  • Opportunities for peer learning, networking or leadership development
  • Creating or re-examining organizational plans
  • Initiating collaboration with other nonprofits
  • Developing new sources for earned income

Use Foundation Directory, our searchable database of grantmakers, to find funders who support capacity building in your field. Subscribe to use it from your own location, or search it for free at our locations nationwide.

Some capacity building doesn't cost nonprofits any money. Beyond Cash Guide for Nonprofit Boards is a guide on how nonprofit boards can tap pro bono and in-kind resources, co-written by Taproot Foundation and BoardSource. Powered by Pro Bono: The Nonprofits Step-by-Step Guide to Scoping, Securing, Managing, and Scaling Pro Bono Resources is Taproot Foundation's how-to guide for bringing capacity building resources into your nonprofit.

Nonprofits are increasingly looking to find, train and keep top talent by focusing on diversity, equity and inclusion. To learn more about how diversity, equity and inclusion can build capacity in your organization, watch our free video, "Catalyst for Change: Non Governing Boards as Pipelines for Diverse, Equitable and Inclusive Leadership."

If you, your team or your organization is feeling burned out, you can learn about staying strong and resilient in the Candid video, Skills for Overcoming Burnout--Refueling the Fire.

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