"If society depends on nonprofits for essential services, then these organizations must have the wherewithal to become strong, capable and durable institutions."

    - From Nonprofit Lifecycles by Susan Kenny Stevens

Five capacity-building components “work together to create the type of predictable tasks and challenges most organizations face at each stage of their development.” (Stevens).  Organizations that are seeking change and are willing to honestly reflect on their present and plan for their future are encouraged to consider capacity building.  These five components are the basis for this process:

Programs are, to use Dr. Susan Kenny Stevens' metaphor, the tabletop.  For too many years layer upon layer has been added to these tabletops without enough consideration to the table legs:

Governance

Management

Administrative Systems

Financial Resources

It is the hope of the Gifford Foundation that we can work in partnership with organizations in strengthening these table legs.  We also believe that each non-profit is unique and at different stages of development, both organizationally and within each table leg.  Thus any capacity building assessment your organization undertakes is holistic and will identify weaknesses and strengths alike.

In order to undertake capacity building, we hope that your organization will be receptive to change and willing to take a close look at yourselves.

We welcome the opportunity to discuss capacity building in more detail. If you are interested in learning more, please schedule a meeting with Foundation staff by calling 315-474-2489.